Dr. David Jiang worked as a professional actor and director for theatre and TV drama in China from late 1960s to 1989. He also taught at the Shanghai Theatre Academy during the 1980s.  In 1989 - 1992, he was awarded a grant from the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) to observe theatre activities and education at Yale and New York University in USA. 

He received his PhD in 1997 at University of Leeds, England, where he was also a foundation research fellow. Then he went to teach at National Taipei University of the Arts in Taiwan, and later Barnard College of Columbia University in New York. In 2001 he was appointed the Dean of the School of Drama, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, leading the School for 8 years until his retirement in 2009. Other positions he took include Visiting Professor of both Shanghai Theatre Academy and Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, Honorary Professor of the University of Hong Kong, and Visiting Research Fellow of University of Leeds, U.K.

David Jiang directed a number of productions in the USA, UK, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, including classical masterpieces, contemporary and experimental plays, musicals, and Chinese operas.