NCAD Head Of Strategic Development, Global And Partnerships

NCAD Head of Strategic Development, Global and Partnerships

Post Title & Subject Area: NCAD Head of Strategic Development, Global and Partnerships

Grade: Principal Officer

Post Duration: Permanent

Reports to: Director

Salary: NCAD Principal Officer PPC - €107,081 - €132,450 per annum

Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 30 working days per annum. This leave is exclusive of public holidays.

Hours of Attendance: Working hours will be 35 hours per week (net of rest breaks).

Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8

Background

The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is entering an exciting and significant phase of development, with a number of major initiatives commencing from 2026 onwards. These include the launch of NCAD’s new strategy Create, Challenge, Care, a comprehensive programme of capital renewal, the delivery of a number of large-scale research projects, and the implementation of NCAD’s strategic objectives, supported by the planned expenditure of a key strategic fund.

As an independent specialist institution, NCAD has a small College management team that work closely together to ensure that decision making at NCAD is driven by clear institutional strategic objectives and that it operates to the highest levels of public sector governance.

Role Purpose:

Working as part of the College Management Team and reporting to the Director, this important new role will play a central role in driving NCAD’s strategic development ensuring that NCAD is delivering on its mission, purpose, values and strategic goals. The role will have a number of direct reports.

Key Points of Connection:

● Recruitment and Admissions (international)

● Research Office (partnerships)

● Corporate Services (partnerships)

● NCAD Public Affairs consultants

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy:

- Oversee the delivery of NCAD Strategic Plan, initially Create, Challenge, Care 2026-2031. Ensure delivery of key strategic targets and milestones against the implementation plan and overseeing the delivery of timely reports on progress to CMT, An Bord and HEA

- Lead on strategic projects as required, working with cross college teams to deliver on workpackages within the Strategic Implementation Plan

- Working with the Director and Senior colleagues to ensure that NCAD’s values inform decision making within the College

- Develop an ongoing stakeholder engagement plan (internal and external) to support the delivery of the Strategy

- Monitor and assess strategic opportunities for NCAD nationally and globally and bring proposals to CMT/An Bord for discussion as appropriate

- Lead on the development of NCAD’s next strategic cycle

Global/Partnerships/Connectivity Develop and oversee NCAD’s Global strategy including international recruitment, partnerships and global visibility.

- Represent NCAD on national forums for international education

- Monitor and advise CMT on NCAD’s global rankings and introduce strategies to improve as appropriate

- With Research Officer, Head of Faculty develop a list of strategic international partnerships to further expand opportunities in research, shared programmes, student/staff exchange, recruitment

- Manage NCAD’s communications manager, agreeing key institutional communications priorities and messages.

- Oversee NCAD Gallery and in Public programmes and manage the Curator of this programme. In collaboration with Research Office and Faculties, setting institutional objectives for the programme and overseeing delivery against those objectives

- With Research Officer, Heads of Faculty, CMT develop a list of key strategic partners nationally to support research, advocacy, teaching and learning

Being a Voice for Art and Design/Advocacy

- In line with NCAD’s new strategic plan seek opportunities to raise visibility for the work of NCAD and its students at a national and global level

- Working with the Director engaging with policy across different sectors and track opportunities for NCAD to influence and engage

- With Director’s office manage a stakeholder engagement map in order to raise awareness of the activities of the College and build support for NCAD’s strategic ambitions

- Keep abreast of developments in higher education and cultural policy in Ireland and internationally, informing CMT of key developments

- Oversee NCAD’s Alumni programme and managing the team as appropriate, Setting objectives against NCAD’s strategic goals for an annual programme of alumni engagement.

Any other appropriate duties that may be required from time to time in relation to supporting the administration of the College.

Mandatory Criteria:

● 10 years experience at a senior role in a higher education or cultural organisation.

● Experience leading cross-functional strategic projects and developing and managing high-level stakeholder engagement strategies (internal and external).

● Demonstrated experience leading the development and implementation of organisational strategy, including proven ability to translate strategic vision into measurable implementation plans with clear milestones and KPIs

● Demonstrated experience in international partnerships, global engagement strategy, or international recruitment contexts.

● Strong knowledge of higher education policy and/or cultural policy (preferably in Ireland and internationally) with an understanding of public sector governance, accountability, and reporting structures.

● Ability to anticipate sectoral, political, and global developments and respond proactively.

● Proven experience managing managing teams and working effectively across multi-disciplinary teams.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Criteria:

● A Level 8 Postgraduate (PG) qualification

● Experience in higher education leadership, particularly within a specialist or creative arts institution.

● Understanding of global higher education systems and international mobility frameworks with

● Established professional networks within higher education, arts, culture, or policy sectors nationally and/or globally.

Principal Officer Competencies:

Leadership & Strategic Direction

● Contributes to the shaping of Departmental / Government strategy and policy

● Leads on preparing for and implementing significant change and reform Anticipates and responds quickly to developments in the sector/ broader environment

● Actively collaborates with other Departments, Organisations and Agencies

Judgment & Decision Making

● Identifies and focuses on core issues when dealing with complex information/ situations

● Assembles facts, manipulates verbal and numerical information and thinks through issues logically

● Sees the relationships between issues and quickly grasp the high level and socio-political implications Identifies coherent solutions to complex issues

● Takes action, making decisions in a timely manner and having the courage to see them through

● Makes sound and well informed decisions, understanding their impact and implications

Management & Delivery of Results

● Initiates and takes personal responsibility for delivering results/ services in own area

● Balances strategy and operational detail to meet business needs

● Manages multiple agendas and tasks and reallocates resources to manage changes in focus

● Makes optimum use of resources and implements performance measures to deliver on objectives

● Ensures the optimal use of ICT and new delivery models

● Critically reviews projects and activities to ensure their effectiveness and that they meet Organisational requirements

Closing Date: 17th of March 2026