Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Zürich
Head of Boarding School 80%, (m/f/d)
- 05 June 2026
- 80%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
About the job
The ZHdK is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 Bachelor’s and Master’s students. The study and research areas include Art Education, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, the 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 work is publicly presented.
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The boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy is a living, residential, and recreational space for around 47 national and international pupils aged 12 to 18, who, due to geographical distance, cannot remain in their previous environment during their training to become professional stage dancers (EFZ). The boarding school offers them a safe and appropriate educational environment for their personal, academic, and professional development.
We are looking for the boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy as of 1 October 2026
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The boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy is a living, residential, and recreational space for around 47 national and international pupils aged 12 to 18, who, due to geographical distance, cannot remain in their previous environment during their training to become professional stage dancers (EFZ). The boarding school offers them a safe and appropriate educational environment for their personal, academic, and professional development.
We are looking for the boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy as of 1 October 2026
Head of Boarding School 80%, (m/f/d)
Your tasks
In this responsible role, you will take on the operational management of the boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy (taZ). With a clear, appreciative, and results-oriented leadership style, you ensure smooth operations and implement strategic directives efficiently and economically. You lead and promote a committed team of around 12 employees (social pedagogues, supervisors, cook, and domestic staff) and strengthen motivation, personal responsibility, and professional collaboration. You will be supported by a deputy with social pedagogical specialist responsibility. The boarding school management reports directly to a management person of the taZ and is accompanied on strategic issues by a boarding school commission, in which you participate in an advisory capacity.
In addition to your management duties, you are close to the daily life of the boarding school: you support the team situationally in caring for high-performing young people and create an environment where the psychological and physical well-being of the young people is always central.
In this responsible role, you will take on the operational management of the boarding school of the Zurich Dance Academy (taZ). With a clear, appreciative, and results-oriented leadership style, you ensure smooth operations and implement strategic directives efficiently and economically. You lead and promote a committed team of around 12 employees (social pedagogues, supervisors, cook, and domestic staff) and strengthen motivation, personal responsibility, and professional collaboration. You will be supported by a deputy with social pedagogical specialist responsibility. The boarding school management reports directly to a management person of the taZ and is accompanied on strategic issues by a boarding school commission, in which you participate in an advisory capacity.
In addition to your management duties, you are close to the daily life of the boarding school: you support the team situationally in caring for high-performing young people and create an environment where the psychological and physical well-being of the young people is always central.
Your central tasks include:
- Overall responsibility for budget planning, control, and cost monitoring
- Personnel management, development, and deployment planning
- Ensuring and further developing quality standards in operations and infrastructure
- Active participation in internal and external committees
- Professional representation of the boarding school towards schools, authorities, parents, and other stakeholders
- Maintaining transparent, appreciative, and target-group-appropriate communication
Your profile
You have experience working with adolescents and young adults, ideally in a performance-oriented artistic or sporting environment. As a leader, you act responsibly, solution-oriented, and with a high pedagogical sensitivity.
You have experience working with adolescents and young adults, ideally in a performance-oriented artistic or sporting environment. As a leader, you act responsibly, solution-oriented, and with a high pedagogical sensitivity.
- Recognised qualification in the social sector (HF/FH or comparable tertiary degree)
- Several years of professional and leadership experience in a social pedagogical environment
- Experience in leading and developing employees and teams
- Business management understanding and experience with budget responsibility
- Further training in leadership or willingness to undertake it
- High social competence, ability to reflect, and intercultural sensitivity
- Clear and appreciative communication as well as confident appearance
- Very good German and good English skills, spoken and written
What you can expect from us
We offer you an exciting and varied role in a dynamic and collegial environment. Our inclusive culture promotes diversity and respectful interaction, contributing to an inspiring working atmosphere. You benefit from numerous perks, including regular supervision and many training opportunities that support your personal and professional development. Our modern workplace is ideally located in district 8 and offers excellent accessibility.
We offer you an exciting and varied role in a dynamic and collegial environment. Our inclusive culture promotes diversity and respectful interaction, contributing to an inspiring working atmosphere. You benefit from numerous perks, including regular supervision and many training opportunities that support your personal and professional development. Our modern workplace is ideally located in district 8 and offers excellent accessibility.
Your contacts for further information
Joachim Stahl, interim boarding school manager, ( joachim.stahl@zhdk.ch )
HR contact person: Mirjam Schütz, HR Business Partner ( mirjam.schuetz@zhdk.ch )
Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts and the Dance Academy can be found at www.tanzakademie.ch . We gladly accept your complete application documents by 21 June 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications for this position. Interviews will take place on 25 June 2026.
Joachim Stahl, interim boarding school manager, ( joachim.stahl@zhdk.ch )
HR contact person: Mirjam Schütz, HR Business Partner ( mirjam.schuetz@zhdk.ch )
Additional information about the Zurich University of the Arts and the Dance Academy can be found at www.tanzakademie.ch . We gladly accept your complete application documents by 21 June 2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications for this position. Interviews will take place on 25 June 2026.
