The University of Hong Kong
Established in 1911, The University of Hong Kong, as a leading international institution of higher learning in Asia, strives to attract and nurture outstanding scholars from around the world through excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange, contributing to the advancement of society and the development of leaders through a global presence, regional significance and engagement with the rest of China. The University, with English as the medium of instruction, attracts the best students from around the world and has a fine tradition of nurturing research postgraduate students. Today, the University has more than 1,500 academic staff affiliated within ten Faculties and sub-divisions of studies and learning, and, over 20,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 48 countries.

The Position
The University of Hong Kong is searching for a Dean of the Faculty of Architecture. Located in Asia’s World City, at the center of one of the world’s most vibrant cultures and dynamic economies, we aim to strengthen further our position as one of the leading institutions in the multi-disciplinary study of the built environment. The Faculty is currently comprised of three core departments and one division: the Department of Architecture, the Department of Real Estate and Construction, the Department of Urban Planning and Design, the Division of Landscape Architecture, and a developing urban conservation division. The successful candidate is expected to provide the vision and leadership to enhance the Faculty’s position as a world centre of excellence in teaching and learning, research and knowledge exchange. She/He should possess distinguished academic credentials and/or professional standing internationally in one of the Faculty disciplines or a closely related one; and her/his past record should serve as proof of the ability to lead a Faculty of Architecture and enable its further development in addressing the economic, educational, environmental and social challenges that face built environment professionals both in Asia and around the world.

Candidate Profile
The Dean is the leader of the Faculty and the principal spokesperson for the Faculty within the university community, Hong Kong as well as internationally. The Dean is also responsible for leading the Faculty with respect to alumni relations, development, student recruitment and related professional and industry involvement.

The following criteria are considered important for the position. The successful candidate is expected to bring to the position recognized accomplishments and/or clear potential for success in the following areas:

  • Distinguished academic credentials and international recognition for his/her achievements in research and scholarship, teaching, knowledge exchange and/or professional practice in one or more of the Faculty’s disciplines;
  • The ability to establish a comprehensive and strategic vision for the Faculty’s continued excellence and innovation in research, teaching and learning, and knowledge exchange, both in Hong Kong and around the world;
  • The willingness to work across disciplines in the creation of bold, new curricular initiatives in the fields of architecture, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, conservation, and real estate and construction;
  • A record of successful previous leadership experience in a leading, internationally recognized school of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning and design, real estate and construction, or a related field, or in an enterprise or professional office of equivalent complexity;
  • Extensive international experience, an understanding of the Asian cultural context, and demonstrable ability to work cross-culturally;
  • Embrace Faculty fundraising activities and donor development programs;
  • Professional membership of an internationally recognized professional body of one of the Faculty disciplines such as Architecture, Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design or Urban Planning, or a closely related discipline.

Application and Nomination
Applications and nominations are invited for appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture. Appointment will be made on a five-year fixed-term basis. Additional information about the University of Hong Kong and the Faculty of Architecture can be found at http://www.hku.hk and http://fac.arch.hku.hk/. Review of applications and nominations will continue until the post is filled. Interested persons are invited to submit their materials by 16 January 2012 to:

Michelle Doo | Heidrick and Struggles
Suite 1408 Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Phone : +852 2103 9347 | Email : hkudeanarc@heidrick.com