Director of Master's Programs & Research (m/f/x)

The Gerrit Rietveld Academy (GRA) is a small-scale, independent, internationally oriented college of fine arts and design. The GRA consists of the Rietveld Academy (bachelor’s programs, divided into 14 departments), the Sandberg Institute (master’s programs, divided into 7 departments), 23 studios, various research groups, and two research chairs. The academy has approximately 850 students and 130 course participants. The students come from 55 different countries, making the academy an international community.

Day-to-day management is handled by the Executive Board, which reports to the Supervisory Board. Academic programs are supported by administrative units and staff departments, such as Financial Administration, Student Affairs, IT, Facilities Management, Public Rietveld, and Human Resources. The academy has approximately 280 employees.

As Director, you will share ultimate responsibility for the Sandberg Institute and academy-wide research with the President of the Board. You will be part of the Management Team, which also includes the Director of Bachelor’s Programs and the Director of Operations. Due to the expiration of the current Director’s term, the Gerrit Rietveld Academy is seeking a

Passionate and decisive Director of Master’s Programs & Research (0.8 FTE)

You view art as having both intrinsic and social value, and see the art academy as a nurturing environment—a free, open, and inclusive space that makes this possible. In your teaching, you ensure there is room for vulnerability and bold attempts that are allowed to fail, with solidarity, trust, and generosity serving as the foundation for learning. We are looking for a compassionate, communicative, and generous individual who will collaborate on an equal footing to further develop master’s programs and research.

The Gerrit Rietveld Academy is committed to providing a diverse and safe learning and working environment. We are building a community where diversity and inclusion are core principles, and we encourage people who identify as queer, non-binary, trans*, BIPoC, as well as people with disabilities, to apply. We expect all candidates to have a clear vision for contributing to a more inclusive learning and working environment.

The Sandberg Institute

The Sandberg Institute offers master’s programs in Fine Arts, Interior Architecture, and Design. The five main departments aim to deepen the practice of artists, designers, and critics. In addition, the temporary programs address specific pressing issues in society and the arts, focusing on collaboration with other institutions.

The academy is characterized by an inquiry-based and experimental approach to art education, in which professors, lecturers, workshop staff, students, and administrative staff work together to shape the content and structure of education and research. Diversity and inclusion, ecology, and sustainability are key priorities for the GRA and thus serve as guiding principles for the actions of the members of the academy community.

Duties and Responsibilities

As director of the Sandberg Institute, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of the master’s program as well as academy-wide research. In recent years, the organization of research has undergone significant development as a new, independent component of the academy that operates alongside the educational programs while remaining closely connected to them. The academy has several research groups in the fields of Materials Research, The City, Critical Inquiry, and Artificial Intelligence.

With regard to education, the director supports the department heads and the departments as a whole in developing their programs and curricula, their vision, pedagogy, and culture, and ensures that there is effective dialogue between academy-wide priorities and department-specific visions.

One of the new director’s most important tasks in the coming years will be to implement the new hiring policy, with good employment practices—in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and the HBO collective bargaining agreement—serving as the guiding principle. This process will require a transition within the organization. As director, you will develop a clear structure that ensures the future viability of our educational programs and safeguards existing strengths within a safe, caring, and nurturing environment.

As director, you will lead the master’s and research organization in an inspiring and collaborative manner, with support from the master’s administrative office and the GRA’s operational departments.

In addition, you will be responsible for student enrollment, innovation, financial performance, and the quality of education across the programs, as well as how the various teaching and research departments interact with one another within the established financial frameworks. You will organize and support research groups and their activities, and work with researchers to formulate the policy and vision for research at GRA.

What do you bring to the table?

• Knowledge of and insight into higher education (including the arts), (artistic) research, and the broader cultural sector.
• A broad national and international network of art institutions, partners, fellow organizations, (research) foundations, and other stakeholders.
• The ideal candidate has firsthand experience of what it takes to provide the best possible support for the creative and development processes of artists, designers, and critics, but also has the necessary experience in leading complex organizations, managing teams, and overseeing financial and administrative processes.
• Experience as a senior manager in a cultural organization with a complex stakeholder environment.
• Extensive expertise in marketing and strategy development.
• You’re good at switching between strategy and execution. You’re both an analytical thinker and a solution-oriented person.
• You have a keen understanding of people, their motivations, and their talents. You give employees autonomy and trust, and you are focused on their development.
• You work in an organized manner, can prioritize tasks, and make clear decisions.
• You have strong communication skills and an excellent command of both spoken and written Dutch and English.
• You should ideally live in the academy’s region or be willing to move there.

What do we offer?

• A unique opportunity to help shape the future of art education and research in a collaborative environment.
• A highly dedicated organization that excels in flexibility and innovation.
• Salary in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement for higher professional education (HBO) and competitive benefits.
• A 32-hour-per-week position.
• A one-year contract with the possibility of renewal, with the intention of converting it to a permanent position after two years of employment, provided the candidate proves to be suitable.
• Under the Higher Vocational Education Collective Bargaining Agreement, the position is classified in pay grade 15, which, as of June 1, 2022, has a minimum gross salary of €5,688.72 and a maximum gross salary of €7,940.29 based on a full-time appointment (40 hours per week). Salary placement will be determined based on education and experience.
• Attractive benefits package, including an 8.3% year-end bonus, a generous number of vacation days (to be taken during the lecture-free periods of the academic year), a pension plan, and opportunities for professional development.
• The start date for the position will be determined by mutual agreement in the fall of 2023.

The contact person for this position is Sjoerd ter Borg (Executive Secretary at the Sandberg Institute). Please submit your application (a brief resume and cover letter) as soon as possible, but no later than Sunday, April 16, 2023, to the following email address: vacature-directeur@sandberg.nl.

Procedure

The first round of job interviews will take place on Wednesday, May 10, and Friday, May 12, in Amsterdam.

The second round of job interviews will take place on Wednesday, May 24, in Amsterdam.

A reference check will be conducted, and an assessment may be part of the process.

If you are a potential candidate for this position, or if you know someone who might be, or if you have any questions, please contact Sjoerd ter Borg at vacature-directeur@sandberg.nl.