Type of work: Full time
Department: Faculty of Social Sciences (30000)
Categories: Academic staff
Applications are invited for nomination as director of the Center for Journalism and Media Studies (Ref: 512072), effective September 1, 2022 or as soon thereafter as possible, on a fixed term basis of three years, with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funding and satisfactory performance.
University of Hong Kong Faculty of Social Sciences
Founded in 1911, The University of Hong Kong is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in teaching and research, and has been at the international forefront of academic scholarship for many years. The University offers a comprehensive range of study programs and research disciplines spread across 10 faculties and over 140 departments and academic institutes/centres. There are 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 50 countries, and more than 4,000 academic and university staff from multicultural backgrounds, many of whom are internationally recognized as leaders in their discipline.
Ranked 2n/a in Asia, the Faculty of Social Sciences consists of six departments. The departments are supported by three research centers (to know. Cities 2050, Contemporary China, and Mental Well-Being) priorities under the faculty’s research strategy which represents areas of strength in which the faculty is investing additional resources to elevate the scale and impact of our research.
The Journalism and Media Studies Center (JMSC)
The Center for Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Hong Kong has, since 1999, provided world-class professional journalism education at Asia’s premier university. The need for a vibrant and professional news media has never been greater and our experienced and highly trained instructors and support staff raise professional standards and strengthen journalistic integrity through its teaching programs, research, its professional services and its partnerships with the main media. Given Hong Kong’s unique strategic location – as a cosmopolitan Asia-Pacific city, gateway to China and international financial center – we are ideally placed to train the next generation of journalists who will tell the history of China – and Asia – to the world. In addition to its core teaching programs, the Center for Journalism and Media Studies also offers short professional courses in media and journalism, and organizes seminars and public forums to explore the critical issues facing are facing the news media. We also welcome journalists and others to pursue book-writing projects, and have hosted a series of book talks by the Centre’s writers-in-residence. To verify https://jmsc.hku.hk for more details on JMSC.
Job Description
We are looking for a seasoned professional journalist to join our international team of instructors and potentially take over as Director, when the current Director’s contract expires in 2023. As JMSC is a practice-based unit, the ideal candidate should have in-depth knowledge and extensive newsroom experience with internationally renowned media, as opposed to purely theoretical training. Candidates can come from the audiovisual or print media, but must above all be passionate about current events. They must be familiar with breaking news and in-depth reporting, and across all platforms, especially digital, and be nimble in a rapidly changing media environment. They should be globally minded and visionary, have ideas for building on the Centre’s existing strengths and come up with ideas to lead the Center into its third decade. They must have a keen interest and ease with all emerging technologies that are changing the way news is gathered, packaged and consumed, and have a demonstrated willingness to experiment with new ways to harness the transformative power of technology.
As the mission of the Center includes teaching journalism as well as communications, the successful candidate is also expected to lead the communications component, including identifying new strategic opportunities to develop. As we are based in Hong Kong, candidates with training and/or experience in Asia, and in particular China, will be strongly preferred. The ideal candidate should have, at a minimum, a master’s degree in media studies, journalism or another related field. He/She should have professional levels of fluency in spoken and written English, and knowledge of Putonghua, Cantonese or another Asian language would be a plus.
The successful candidate for this position would be hired as a Senior Professional Practitioner, but may be internally granted the courtesy title of Professor of Practice subject to university approval. He/She must have a track record of achievement and a substantial body of work within the journalism profession that merits appointment to a leadership position. He/she will report initially to the Director and, after assuming leadership, to the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. Teaching assignments will be determined by the background and experience of the appointee, but may involve some role in broadcasting, video news production, digital tools and script writing.
Tasks will include:
- Establish the overall vision and direction of the Center
- Work in collaboration between departments and faculties
- Increase brand awareness of the Center
- Provide leadership and innovative ideas to recruit undergraduate and postgraduate students in challenging times
- Nurture and continue to build on the Centre’s existing strong media partnerships, including expanding the undergraduate exchange and student internship network
- Be actively involved in fundraising and find new partnerships for the benefit of students and the Center
- Help recruit new instructors, including full-time and adjunct teachers
- Building on the diversity and inclusiveness of our HKU community
A highly competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience will be offered, in addition to annual leave and medical benefits. At the current rate, payroll tax does not exceed 15% of gross income. The appointment will result in an end-of-contract gratuity and a contribution from the University to a pension scheme, totaling up to 15% of base salary. Housing allowances will be provided where applicable.
The University is only accepting online applications for the above position. Applicants should apply online at the University’s career site (http://jobs.hku.hk) and upload (1) an up-to-date CV with contact details for three referees, (2) a cover letter, (3) a teaching philosophy statement, and (4) an outline of the vision and mission as director of JMSC. Review of applications will begin as soon as possible and will continue until April 30, 2022or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.
The University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equality, ethics, inclusivity, diversity and transparency