Dean for School of Theater

JOB TITLE: Dean for the IRA BRIND SCHOOL OF THEATER ARTS

DEPARTMENT:  School of Theater

REPORTS TO:  Vice President for Academic Affairs

Summary:

University of the Arts seeks a visionary, imaginative, and collaborative leader to join its team as dean of the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts. The next dean will play a key role in formulating and enacting strategies to position the School of Theater as a global leader for unique and distinctive programs reflective and inclusive of diverse ideas, people, and perspectives. Sensitive to the needs of the field and its future, the dean will advocate for flexibility and openness to experimentation alongside a commitment to rigor and excellence. Partnering with the other School deans at UArts, senior leadership, and relevant university constituencies, the dean will continually seek to affirm the value of an arts-based education; to build, refine, and transform academic programs and other educational experiences to advance human creativity; and to elevate the School’s work and reputation by identifying and cultivating strategic partnerships, both institutional and individual.

The dean serves as the Brind School’s chief academic, creative, and administrative officer, and producing artistic director. The dean joins the Council of Deans, a leadership team composed of the deans of the University’s six Schools (Art, Dance, Design, Film, Music, and Theater; Graduate and Professional Studies; and the director of Critical Studies, the university’s general education division). This interdisciplinary context for the study and advancement of creativity is a critical part of the fabric of UArts and supports the success of UArts students. This position reports to the provost/vice president for academic affairs.

The Ira Brind School of Theater Arts currently comprises undergraduate programs in Acting; Directing, Playwriting & Production; Musical Theater; and Theater Design & Technology; and graduate and certificate programs in Devised Performance. The faculty of the Brind School are accomplished working practitioners and theater professionals devoted to preparing our students as citizen artists.

UArts is located on the Avenue of the Arts in the center of Philadelphia, which is one of the nation’s largest thriving artistic communities. The university is home to six professional performance venues, a production shop, costume shop, design studio, and lighting lab as well as countless studios, galleries, and multi-use spaces. Our campus enjoys close proximity to more than 100 theater and performing arts companies within the city.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The dean will lead the Brind School in alignment to the University’s mission in the following ways:

  • Advance the work of the School through building and maintaining academic programs of excellence that best serve our students, and support the interdisciplinary fabric of the University.
  • Maintain and support best practices for the continual assessment of those academic programs and strategic initiatives to ensure their continued success and strength.
  • Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local, national, and international arts and theater organizations to create dynamic opportunities and professional access for students and alumni.
  • Lead and oversee the recruitment, retention, growth, mentorship, and continual evaluation of Brind School faculty.
  • Ensure transparency and openness within School procedures and communications.
  • Lead the School in both creative and scholarly research relative to the field.
  • Partner with Admissions and other constituencies to attain enrollment and retention goals and position programs for success in the higher education marketplace.
  • Create a culture of inclusion in the Brind School, including the casting and role assignment of students in theatrical productions.
  • Leverage existing resources through the strategic management of the School’s budget.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and interest in University academic programs outside of the Brind School, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as the activities of the UArts’ centers.
  • In coordination with the offices of Advancement, the Provost, and the President, develop and implement an advancement strategy for the continued growth and support of the School.
  • Support Brind School program directors’ collaborations with constituencies across campus, to continually work toward the University’s student recruitment, retention, and alumni goals.
  • Serve as a thought leader, serving on the President’s Council, Council of Deans, and University committees as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions.  Incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.

Education:

  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees required, though exceptional experience in lieu of the Master’s degree will be considered.

Experience:

  • Significant experience and successful accomplishment as a leader of theater arts programs in higher education or of a major theater arts organization is required.
  • Prior experience as a higher education leader or faculty member preferred.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Extensive knowledge of theater arts and emergent pedagogical practices in the field, and demonstrated expertise in a creative practice;
  • Demonstrated investment in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility;
  • Proactive commitment to leadership that inspires others with compelling vision and cultivating and expanding a community of respect and collaboration;
  • Direct and transparent communication style; capable of building trust and rapport with a broad array of faculty, students, staff, and alumni;
  • Devoted mentor, constantly seeking ways to further enable others to excel;
  • Administrative prowess, including effectively managing one’s own time and the time of others, as well as demonstrated capacity for managing resources through detailed budget oversight;
  • Ability to adapt to changing work environments, work priorities, and organizational needs.

Supervisory Responsibility:

  • None

About The University:

The mission of the University of the Arts is to advance human creativity. With a history stretching back to 1876, UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society, and has educated generations of innovative artists, performers, designers, and creative leaders for nearly 150 years. After being granted university status in 1987, University of the Arts became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance, theater, and writing. It now features 28 undergraduate arts majors, 12 graduate programs, and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity. UArts is also home to innovative centers across disciplines, including the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, and the Center for Immersive Media. Learn more about UArts.

 

TO APPLY: Application materials should be received by March 15, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately thereafter. 

Interested, qualified applicants should submit letters of application and resumes to the Human Resources Department via email to jobs@uarts.edu. Please ensure job title is in the Subject line.
 

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, The University of the Arts publishes its Annual Safety Report at the following link for your reference:

http://www.uarts.edu/about/campus-crime-fire-reports

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Title IX Statement: The University of the Arts prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance, e-mail titleix@uarts.edu, visit The University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, or call 215-717-6362. To learn more about the University's Title IX policy and response to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, please visit www.uarts.edu/titleix. Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

 

Launch Experience