Executive Director, Institute for Creative Features

JOB TITLE: Executive Director, Institute for Creative Features

DEPARTMENT:  President’s Office

REPORTS TO:  Chief of Staff

Summary:

University of the Arts seeks an Executive Director to establish and lead our newly articulated Institute for Creative Futures. This Institute is founded on the belief that a life anchored by creative practice not only transforms an individual, but moves our world towards more just, equitable and sustainable futures. By utilizing and strengthening existing core components of Career Services, and expanding to include key curricular, co-curricular, experiential, and community connections, the Institute will further UArts’ mission of advancing human creativity, empowering our students and alumni through creative entrepreneurship and career success. The Institute will be both nexus and catalyst for a far-reaching culture of professional engagement, beginning with initial inquiry and continuing far beyond graduation.

The Executive Director will develop and execute a strategic vision in partnership with stakeholders across the university, including senior staff, alumni relations, deans, faculty, alumni, parents, and employers. They will be a compelling advocate for the effectiveness of an arts education, and a visionary of pathways, opportunities, and collaborative partnerships. As they build relationships in support of internship, professional development, and outreach programs, they will incorporate and creatively respond to the diverse characteristics and needs of the 21 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs across the visual and performing arts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Articulate and realize vision for the Institute for Creative Futures
  • Effectively advocate for the relevance of an arts education and the power of creativity within the workplace
  • Partner with deans and faculty to advance professional practice skill-building and identify innovative academic connections
  • Collaborate with community stakeholders to develop rich programs and opportunities for career development and creative entrepreneurship
  • Connect with students, alumni and other key community stakeholders to best understand their career readiness and success needs
  • Expand and deepen opportunities for summer and academic-year internships
  • Build productive partnerships with external businesses, organizations, and donors
  • Ensure the Institute provides responsive, meaningful career development service to students and alumni
  • Lead the Institute’s staff
  • Develop, respond to, and report on robust assessment mechanisms evaluating student, alumni and partner experiences, as well as the quality of program offerings, partnerships and Institute services

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:

  • Master’s degree in a related field required, g. student affairs, education, arts administration, creative administration, business administration, or visual or performing arts

Experience:

  • Ten or more years’ progressive leadership and advanced experience across career services, teaching, advising, student affairs, entrepreneurship, or arts administration

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Robust understanding of the arts, the power of creativity, and the intersections between an arts education and related skills, competencies, and professional opportunities
  • Strong sense of strategic vision, and the ability to identify and execute key goals
  • Exceptional communication skills, and understanding of various audiences and communities
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and a track record of reflecting those commitments in both strategic and day-to-day work
  • Thorough understanding of data-informed decision-making, and familiarity with best practices for collecting, maintaining, and reporting data
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise, motivate, and lead staff, and to manage departmental budgets and gifts
  • Dynamic and intentional relationship-builder, with students, faculty, employers, and potential donors alike
  • Familiarity leveraging technology to enhance programs and address goals
  • Advanced digital skills; efficient and productive use of software platforms and web applications
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Supervisory Responsibility:

  • Director of Career Services
  • Career Development Advisor
  • Additional staff TBD

About The University:

University of the Arts’ mission is simple: to advance human creativity. Established in 1876, UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society and has educated generations of groundbreaking artists, performers, designers and creative leaders for more than 141 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 30 undergraduate arts majors, 15 graduate programs and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity. UArts is also home to innovative centers across disciplines, including the Center for Immersive Media, Lightbox Film Center, Philadelphia Art Alliance and Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery. Learn more about UArts.

 

TO APPLY: 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,, or visit The University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, Room 260, or call 215-717-6366. 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.