Who we are:
Here at Media Design School (MDS), we do things a little differently. Our staff and teams thrive on being dynamic, resilient and responsive and this role is no exception. Just like our students, our employees are a diverse group who want to make an impact. When you join us, we give you the freedom to be bold, creative and courageous – with flexible working arrangements that allow you to bring your best. We’ve built a culture that celebrates community, collaboration and innovation, where people love what they do.
You will join a team of passionate staff who are playing their part in making sure that we are here to deliver an exceptional learning experience for students.
About the role:
Are you a visionary leader who can shape the future of media, design, and visual effects education?
At Media Design School, our goal is to lift student achievements on the global stage through industry awards, international rankings, and graduates who are recognised as leaders in their craft. This is a senior leadership position where you will combine deep industry expertise with academic excellence to deliver world-class curriculum and exceptional student outcomes.
You will lead a high immersion learning approach where industry experience is woven into every aspect of teaching. You will promote faculty and industry partnerships across our flagship programmes, inspire students and staff with your passion for the art form, and bring a clear vision for where visual effects, 3D, and media design should head next.
Key Accountabilities:
In this role you will:
Provide academic leadership, ensuring quality, accreditation, and innovation across your programme portfolio
Drive industry-integrated learning strategies that set our graduates apart
Lead and develop a high-performing academic team focused on teaching excellence, student care, and employability outcomes
Build strong and enduring relationships with industry partners to enhance learning and graduate success
Ensure compliance with all academic and professional standards, meeting and exceeding NZQA and industry accreditation requirements
Introduce innovative teaching practices and emerging technologies that keep our programmes at the forefront of the discipline
Who you are:
You are a passionate leader who can bring creativity, industry insight, and academic rigour to a world-class media design programme. You will have:
Significant industry experience in media design, visual effects, 3D, or related creative fields
Proven academic leadership skills, including curriculum development and quality assurance
A clear and compelling vision for the future of media design education
Strong relationship management skills with the ability to engage across academia, industry, and community
A relevant post-graduate qualification or equivalent industry expertise
Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing academic teams
This is your opportunity to shape the next generation of creative leaders and make a lasting impact on the industry you love. If you are ready to bring your passion, experience, and vision to Media Design School, we would love to hear from you.
To view the full job description, please click here.
Please note, if you are successful in securing this role, you will be required to submit the following:
Police vetting check
Certified copies of all your highest academic qualification
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. All applicants must be a Permanent Resident or New Zealand Citizen.
This is a full-time, permanent position based at the Media Design School in Auckland and is an on-site position.
Why join us?
Our ambition is to revolutionise the world of education, increase student employability and make a positive impact. We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and we put our people and students at the heart of everything we do. We want you to be bold, be creative, be good, and be global.
MDS is an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to the attraction, retention and development of all people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability.
Our culture:
Just like our students, our employees are a diverse group who want to make an impact. When you join us, we give you the freedom to be bold, creative and courageous – with flexible working arrangements (hours and ways of working will vary from role to role) that allow you to bring your best. We’ve built a culture that celebrates community, collaboration and innovation, where people love what they do.
What we offer:
We support your personal passions, development and wellbeing, to make your working life a more rewarding experience. At MDS, you’ll benefit from:
belonging to a team of researchers making a difference to society
building on an academic culture connected to industry and community
opportunities to innovate across teaching and research
access to internal opportunities that promote professional growth
Hiring process:
We aim to provide you with the necessary information you need at each stage of this process to put your best self forward. Should you have accessibility requirements or needs please contact [email protected] for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier free application process as we have a Reasonable Adjustment Procedure in place to support you through the recruitment process.
We are a 2025 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.
We’d love to hear from you.
Applications close: Friday 22nd August
Job Reference: R27916
If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at [email protected]
