Head of Department Animation and Game Design

Head of Department, Animation and Game Design

About us

JMC Academy is Australia’s leading private college in the Creative Industries with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane offering Diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in a range of creative courses. We pride ourselves on providing a supportive and collaborative environment that empowers our students to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. By nurturing, supporting and mentoring students who share a true passion and dedication for these industries, we are able to guide them into rewarding careers.

About the Role

The Head of Department provides academic and operational leadership for Animation and Game Design courses at JMC Academy campus level. Reporting to the Executive Dean and working closely with the other relevant Heads of Department nationally, the role is accountable for teaching excellence, student experience, course-level outcomes, compliance and the day-to-day operation of the department on campus.

The Head of Department leads a team of Senior Lecturers, Lecturers and Contractors / sessional staff, manages local resources and budgets and ensures delivery is aligned with national course standards, the Higher Education Standards Framework and JMC Academy policies. The role champions inclusive curriculum, contributes to course review and development, oversees assessment moderation, and shapes department-level improvements informed by student feedback and data.

Externally, the Head of Department, Animation and Game Design builds strategic industry alliances, placement programs and live briefs, represents JMC in professional and community forums and supports recruitment, marketing and outreach for the course locally. The role is a key member of the campus academic leadership team and works in close partnership with the Campus Directors on operational matters.

What’s involved?

• Deliver engaging, practice-led teaching that integrates current industry practice and scholarly pedagogy
• Lead teaching excellence locally and ensure alignment of unit and course delivery with national teaching standards set by the Executive Dean
• Coordinate the course locally (or nationally if in a national role), ensuring academic quality, currency and compliance across all units delivered on campus
• Lead local course meetings and oversee assessment moderation across the department, ensuring rigour, consistency and timeliness in marking, feedback and grade entry
• Participate in curriculum review and recommend improvements, refinements and innovations to the Executive Dean for consideration in the national curriculum
• Lead presentations, showcases and industry-facing events that prepare students for transition to industry and demonstrate course outcomes
• Lead strategies for student performance at course and campus level, monitoring progression, retention and outcomes and acting on emerging trends in attainment data
• Pioneer digital teaching innovation and drive course digital strategy
• Oversee department-level creative productions locally, ensuring they showcase student capability and discipline excellence
• Provide local leadership for the discipline, including line management of Senior Lecturers, Lecturers and contractor / sessional staff
• Engage in continuous professional development to maintain currency of knowledge and skills in the discipline and in teaching and learning

Are you who we are looking for?

You will know this role is for you if you:

• Have a a master’s degree or higher in Animation or Game Design or a closely related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role including course leadership, and preferably at a national or multi campus basis
• Continue to maintain your currency of professional expertise and industry knowledge
• Demonstrable skills in course leadership
• Substantial higher education teaching experience, including unit coordination, assessment moderation, course-level oversight and contribution to curriculum design and review
• Demonstrated experience leading academic teams, including line management of staff, performance management, recruitment, induction and capability development
• Strong commercial and budget acumen. Experience managing local budgets, P&L drivers, commercial initiatives, grants and resources within an academic or creative environment.
• Sound understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory environment — TEQSA’s Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS, AQF, course accreditation and quality assurance
• Established industry network with proven ability to broker strategic alliances, placements, live briefs, guest practitioners and post-graduation pathways
• Track record of, or strong commitment to, scholarly activity, research or creative practice that contributes to discipline currency and to JMC’s Scholarship Register
• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Confident user of learning management systems (e.g. Canvas/ Plato) digital teaching tools and student record / reporting systems
• Working with Children Check / equivalent state clearance (or willing to obtain)
• Visible alignment with JMC Academy’s purpose, vision and values, including a commitment to quality, academic rigour, equity, and cultural and social diversity

THE PRACTICAL BITS

BASE: Brisbane

REPORTS TO: Executive Dean

TYPE: Full time, permanent

SALARY: Competitive, commensurate with experience; we’ll talk specifics early in the process

APPLY TO: Hit “APPLY BUTTON”

For any questions please reach out to: stahana@jmc.edu.au

WHAT TO SEND

Apply with your Resume and Covering letter addressing why you are right for this role and why JMC.