Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Zürich
Head: Major BA Contemporary Dance (70%), m/f/d
- 19 June 2026
- 70%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
About the job
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, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, 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 works are publicly presented.
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The Department of Performing Arts and Film currently trains around 170 young dancers. The dance training includes the Dance Academy Zurich (taZ) offering the "Basic Study of Classical Dance" as preliminary education for children and young people, as well as the vocational apprenticeship (EFZ) in classical stage dance. At university level, the BA Contemporary Dance and the MA Dance programmes with specialisations in Choreography or Teaching and Coaching Dance Professionals are offered.
In the Bachelor’s degree programme Contemporary Dance, founded in 2014, national and international emerging talents develop into professional, contemporary stage dancers over the course of a three-year study. The combination of individual support, professional networking, and health responsibility makes the programme an outstanding education.
For the artistic, pedagogical, and organisational leadership of the study programme, we are seeking from 1 February 2027 a
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The Department of Performing Arts and Film currently trains around 170 young dancers. The dance training includes the Dance Academy Zurich (taZ) offering the "Basic Study of Classical Dance" as preliminary education for children and young people, as well as the vocational apprenticeship (EFZ) in classical stage dance. At university level, the BA Contemporary Dance and the MA Dance programmes with specialisations in Choreography or Teaching and Coaching Dance Professionals are offered.
In the Bachelor’s degree programme Contemporary Dance, founded in 2014, national and international emerging talents develop into professional, contemporary stage dancers over the course of a three-year study. The combination of individual support, professional networking, and health responsibility makes the programme an outstanding education.
For the artistic, pedagogical, and organisational leadership of the study programme, we are seeking from 1 February 2027 a
Head: Major BA Contemporary Dance (70%), m/f/d
Your tasks as Head: Major BA Contemporary Dance 50%
Your tasks as Contemporary Dance Lecturer 20%
- Further development and design of the study programme (artistic, pedagogical, structural) in close collaboration with the Head of Dance
- Responsibility for curriculum, study planning, and study progress
- Leadership of teaching and research staff as well as study coordination
- Organisation and assurance of teaching operations including productions and projects
- Responsibility for admission procedures (auditions) and degree completions
- Advising and supporting students throughout their studies
- Planning and coordination of internships in Switzerland and abroad
- Budget responsibility and resource planning
- Quality assurance and strategic further development of the programme
- Representation of the programme internally and externally as well as maintenance of networks
Your tasks as Contemporary Dance Lecturer 20%
- Teaching dance technique in the field of contemporary dance within the study programme
- Rehearsal direction and choreographic accompaniment of a diverse contemporary repertoire
Your profile
You are passionate about contemporary dance and want to take responsibility for a future-oriented education of young talents. You hold a university degree at Master’s level or an equivalent qualification as well as an international artistic profile in contemporary dance with excellent networking. In addition, you have several years of professional and leadership experience, ideally in a university context. You bring strong organisational and management skills and efficiently manage complex processes. You work in a structured, forward-looking, and independent manner. You have very good German and English skills. Furthermore, you possess confident IT user skills. In addition, you are characterised by high social, communication, and negotiation skills, team and integration ability, as well as resilience and assertiveness. Presence on site in Zurich is required for this role.
You are passionate about contemporary dance and want to take responsibility for a future-oriented education of young talents. You hold a university degree at Master’s level or an equivalent qualification as well as an international artistic profile in contemporary dance with excellent networking. In addition, you have several years of professional and leadership experience, ideally in a university context. You bring strong organisational and management skills and efficiently manage complex processes. You work in a structured, forward-looking, and independent manner. You have very good German and English skills. Furthermore, you possess confident IT user skills. In addition, you are characterised by high social, communication, and negotiation skills, team and integration ability, as well as resilience and assertiveness. Presence on site in Zurich is required for this role.
What you can expect from us
We offer you an interesting and demanding role in a lively and collegial environment at the Zurich Toni-Areal. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. Our benefits are diverse and sustainable.
We offer you an interesting and demanding role in a lively and collegial environment at the Zurich Toni-Areal. We live an inclusive culture and value diversity. Our benefits are diverse and sustainable.
Your contacts for further information
Jason Beechey, Head of Dance, ( jason.beechey@zhdk.ch )
HR contact person: Mirjam Schütz, HR Business Partner ( mirjam.schuetz@zhdk.ch )
Information about ZHdK and the BA Contemporary Dance can be found at www.zhdk.ch .
Please submit your complete application documents by 2 August 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only accept online applications for this position. The first interview will take place on 4 September and the teaching trials on 14 and 15 September 2026.
Jason Beechey, Head of Dance, ( jason.beechey@zhdk.ch )
HR contact person: Mirjam Schütz, HR Business Partner ( mirjam.schuetz@zhdk.ch )
Information about ZHdK and the BA Contemporary Dance can be found at www.zhdk.ch .
Please submit your complete application documents by 2 August 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only accept online applications for this position. The first interview will take place on 4 September and the teaching trials on 14 and 15 September 2026.
