Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Zürich
Director of the Department of Design
- 17 July 2026
- 100%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
Job summary
Join the ZHdK, a top European arts university with diverse programs. Great opportunity to lead in a vibrant environment.
Tasks
- Oversee strategic direction and quality assurance for the Design Department.
- Foster collaborations within and outside the university for enhanced resources.
- Represent the department in national and international design networks.
Skills
- Experience in design or related fields with leadership in academia.
- Strong analytical skills to identify departmental opportunities.
- Excellent communication skills in German and English.
Is this helpful?
About the job
The ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students. The fields of study and research include Art Education, Cultural Critique, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, the ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research and continue their education. The university includes numerous exhibition and performance venues where students’ project work is publicly presented.
We are looking to fill the position immediately or by agreement as part of a succession arrangement for a
We are looking to fill the position immediately or by agreement as part of a succession arrangement for a
Director of the Department of Design
The Department of Design at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is one of the leading design institutions in Switzerland, combining teaching, research and further education within a forward-looking understanding of design. In seven specialisations – Cast/Audiovisual Media, Game Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Knowledge Visualisation, Visual Communication and Trends & Identity – key questions of contemporary design are addressed and implemented in innovative projects. The focus is on a reflective engagement with design beyond purely aesthetic and functional aspects.
Together with your leadership team, you are responsible for the strategic direction, profiling and quality assurance of the department. You ensure a contemporary offer oriented towards the professional field and future challenges. You promote sustainable cooperation within and outside the university, thereby expanding the content resources for teaching and research. Taking local and global perspectives and representing the department internally within the university as well as in national and international networks is natural for you. You maintain partnership-based and constructive relationships with stakeholders from design, art, politics, society and business. You actively promote interdisciplinary questions and innovations. As a member of the university management, you represent the interests of the department on the one hand, and on the other, you share responsibility for the development of the entire university and engage in various internal and external committees.
We are looking for a personality with a profile in design or related disciplines and proven experience in leading complex larger organisational units, preferably in the higher education sector. In addition, you hold a university degree in a field represented by the department or a related discipline. We appreciate if you have a doctorate, but this is not a requirement. You recognise the department’s potential with a strategic-analytical perspective and proactively address its opportunities with holistic thinking, consistency and compatibility with the university strategy. You promote the systemic and conceptual development of the department as well as its integration within the ZHdK in a goal-oriented manner and in transparent dialogue with your committees.
Responsibility, negotiation skills and decisiveness characterise your cooperative and contemporary leadership style. You have clear conceptual ideas about the development of the Department of Design with regard to future challenges. You understand the concerns of an arts university and effectively apply your communication and moderation skills as well as your higher education political, strategic and organisational competencies for the benefit of the university and collaboration within it. Furthermore, we expect you to have good networking within the higher education landscape and in the national and international design and cultural scene. You bring excellent German and English language skills.
We look forward to receiving your complete application documents by 28.08.2026 via the link "Apply online now" at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only accept online applications for this position.
Interviews will take place on 30.10.2026 (1st round) and 27.11.2026 (2nd round).
For enquiries, please contact the Rector Prof. Dr Karin Mairitsch via the Human Resources Management contact person: Gerhard Bayard, Head of Human Resources Management; Tel. +41 43 446 46 20; gerhard.bayard@zhdk.ch
www.zhdk.ch
www.zhdk.ch/design
Interviews will take place on 30.10.2026 (1st round) and 27.11.2026 (2nd round).
For enquiries, please contact the Rector Prof. Dr Karin Mairitsch via the Human Resources Management contact person: Gerhard Bayard, Head of Human Resources Management; Tel. +41 43 446 46 20; gerhard.bayard@zhdk.ch
www.zhdk.ch
www.zhdk.ch/design
