Educational Development Lead: Curriculum Design
Dublin, Ireland – Full time, Contract
Who We Are
NCAD, changing the world through bold and curious thinking, making and doing. The National College of Art & Design is Ireland’s leading provider of art and design education. Our campus on Thomas Street in Dublin’s historic city centre is home to a student population of 1,900 full and part‑time students engaged in a wide range of study and research across the disciplines of Art, Design, Education and Visual Culture.
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Description
Job Title: Educational Development Lead: Curriculum Design
School/Unit: Academic Development, Academic & Student Affairs
Post Title: Educational Development Lead: Curriculum Design
Post Duration: Full-Time, Specified Purpose from July 2026 - December 2028
Grade: VII
Reports to: Head of Academic Affairs
Annual Leave: 29 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: NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin
*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.
Role Purpose
This role is a specified purpose role funded by the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), time‑bound, and the objectives are to:
Lead the development and implementation of strategic institutional programme development initiatives that align with the NCAD Strategy.
Provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of NCAD.
Contribute towards enhancement initiatives that will strengthen NCAD's performance.
Consolidate NCAD's position in the higher education landscape.
Facilitate the development and/or continuation of initiatives that further national policy and priorities.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate and lead teams in the design and definition of a values‑led Future Learning curriculum and Programme Design Framework.
Coordinate an institution‑wide curriculum mapping initiative that identifies and documents existing project briefs as aligned to module descriptors, pedagogical practices, assessment methodologies, and learning outcomes across academic programmes to establish baseline understanding of current educational practice to inform Framework development and subsequent implementation.
Develop robust and agile institutional understanding and capacity in gathering current and future requirements regarding curriculum design, staff development, and the student learning experience.
Monitor emerging trends in art & design higher education, wider HE policy, societal developments, and technological advances; identify implications for institutional strategy and translate insights into actionable recommendations for curriculum adaptation, pedagogical innovation, and educational change initiatives.
Curriculum and Programme Development: Renew and New
Lead College‑wide and local working groups and programme teams to identify priorities for the renewal and design of academic programmes that align with NCAD's Future Learning Framework.
Working with colleagues to identify opportunities for new programmes for development and build robust processes for development of these programmes informed by external specialist analysis of priority practice areas and demand.
Identify Curriculum Renewal Pilot/s and lead local working groups and programme teams to implement curriculum and programme changes, supporting longer‑term curriculum review implementation planning.
Aligned with Future Learning Curriculum and Programme Design Framework, informed by global and disciplinary trend analysis, and in consultation with Heads of School, identify opportunities and priorities for appointment of Teaching & Learning Excellence Fellows to lead and support NCAD's Curriculum Review and new programme development.
Lead the College's 'Teaching & Learning Excellence Fellows' initiative to inspire, support and enhance NCAD's curriculum review process and the development of new academic modes, models and offers.
In close collaboration with NCAD Teaching and Learning, provide specialist professional advice and support to subject specialists and academic leaders (Heads of School, Heads of Department, Programme Leaders, and Module Leaders) to identify and deliver learning and teaching enhancement activities to meet strategic and/or operational needs and priorities.
In close collaboration with colleagues in NCAD's Academic Development Department (T&LE and Academic & Quality Assurance Support), utilise innovative learning, teaching and development approaches to support and augment effective programme design.
Development and Support
Lead institutional capacity‑building initiatives for providing strategic support for curriculum redesign, assessment strategy development and the integration of emerging pedagogical approaches.
Work closely with NCAD's School of Education to design and deliver professional development programmes for academic, research and academic‑related staff to enhance institutional capacity in effective curriculum and assessment design.
Collaborate with colleagues across the College on developing events, networks and resources relating to programme development.
Devise and deliver activities to develop curriculum design capacity of academic staff, particularly in respect of specific roles such as Programme Leader, Module Coordinator.
Undertake any other such appropriate duties, which may be assigned from time to time by their Line Manager.
Mandatory Criteria
Level 8 qualification (BA or above)
Qualification in teaching and learning
A deep knowledge of teaching and learning in higher education contexts, curriculum and learning design, contemporary pedagogical theories and current/emerging trends in higher education teaching and learning with particular expertise in curriculum, programme and learning design.
Sustained experience of, and expertise in, developing successful curricula and curriculum development initiatives in Higher Education at all academic levels.
Proven track record of designing and delivering professional development programmes for academic and research professionals in a third level context.
Proven track record in working effectively across disciplines, roles and departments, with the ability to enlist the support of others across the HEI. Strong capabilities in relationship‑building and stakeholder management.
Knowledge of the current national and international context in which Higher Education operates and an ability to translate this to NCAD's context.
Deep understanding of academic culture and effective change management strategies for implementing educational innovations within complex institutional environments.
Experience in leading academic / educational development activities, including the careful management of resources, to deliver strategic objectives.
Strong project leadership skills with proven ability to influence, motivate and manage diverse teams, and to deliver project outcomes across multiple strands of delivery in line with agreed deadlines.
Excellent team working skills with proven ability to work under and alongside others to deliver complex institutional objectives.
Flexibility and adaptability: in responding to diverse faculty needs, disciplinary backgrounds and institutional contexts.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex ideas to diverse audiences.
An ability to connect personal scholarship to the development of innovative curriculum, programme and learning design.
PhD or Doctorate
Specialist knowledge of creative arts education.
Closing Date: 17.06.2026
National College of Art & Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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