Call for applications: HES Professor, Head of Department of Fashion, Jewelry and Accessory Design

Geneva School of Art and Design (HEAD) is one of Switzerland’s leading schools of art and design and its influence is internationally recognised. Its Department of Fashion, Jewellery and Accessory Design offers a specific and complete curriculum leading unique BA and MA degrees that combine professional skills and creative development. The Department has undergone remarkable development over the last few years, and is now recognised as offering one of the best courses in its field in Europe. It welcomes 165 students and groups together a team of some 30 teachers, professionals in the field of fashion, jewellery and accessories, as well as a large number of international contributors. The Department includes two BA majors: Fashion Design and Jewellery and Accessory Design, an MA major in Fashion and Accessory Design and a Chair in Watch Design which offers a specific BA and MA course.

With a large international network, HEAD – Genève is also very involved in the cultural life of the city. Its high level technical equipment and specialised staff promote project-based teaching methods. Its organisation places the department heads at the helm of their teams, with a large degree of autonomy that includes the recruitment of personnel, the implementation of professional projects and the conduct of research. Each Department has a dedicated secretariat and teaching and technical assistants.

Employment contract:  75–100% or 50–60% (with the help of an assistant)

Main features of the post
As Head of the Fashion, Jewellery and Accessory Design Department, you are a member of the Board of Directors of HEAD – Genève and as such, you participate in the development and influence of the entire school. Your teaching responsibility at the head of the Department gives you a large degree of autonomy to implement, in regular dialogue with the School’s Management and in close collaboration with the teaching team, the design and development of training objectives (study plan), research projects, the coordination of teaching (courses, workshops, diploma tutorials, conferences, juries and examinations), as well as the cultural activities of the Department and the implementation of partnerships and commissions with private companies and public entities. You will provide the necessary impetus for the Department’s strategic positioning on the international stage. In dialogue with your team, you will take on the following duties:
-Design and development of the Department’s teaching project.
-Coordination of the Department’s teaching and technical teams.
-Teaching in the field of Fashion Design and/or Jewellery and Accessory Design, tutoring of BA and MA graduation projects.
-Development and management of research projects (depending on the activity rate selected).
-Coordination of relations, commissions and partnerships in professional (companies) and cultural (museums, cultural institutions) fields of fashion and jewellery at national and international level.
-Design and artistic direction of cultural projects (fashion shows, conferences, exhibitions, publications, etc.).
-Development of partnerships with the Fashion Design Departments of internationally renowned schools.

Profile: 
-Proven experience of at least five years in the professional field of fashion and/or jewellery and accessory design.
-Tertiary level degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).
-Ability to lead projects, designed as personal and collective endeavours.
-Managerial skills (personal and organisational) and a very good ability to work in a team, to promote knowledge sharing and to lead collective projects in a changing environment.
-Excellent knowledge of the current design and fashion, jewellery and accessory scene.
-Regular availability during teaching periods (academic year) is required.
-Language skills: English essential.

The candidate must live in, or want to move to Geneva, so as to be available, if not weekly, at least as regularly as possible during the academic year (September 15–July 15).

The recruitment policy of HES-SO Genève / HEAD – Genève promotes equal opportunities and diversity.

Start date: September 1, 2021

Complete applications (incl. motivation letter, CV, copies of certificates, and a list of publications/examples of personal work) should be sent in electronic format to: rh.head [​at​] hesge.ch for the attention of Jean-Pierre Greff, Director.