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Director of School of Design 

The University of the Arts seeks a Director of the new School of Design in its new College of Art, Media and Design. 

The University of the Arts is one of the largest comprehensive private institutions of higher education centered in the arts in the US. Its undergraduate and graduate academic programs prepare students for more than 150 professional career paths in the visual, design, performing, media and communication arts, and related fields. Honoring the traditions of the disciplines it teaches, the University stimulates creative exploration, innovation, and intellectual investigation while recognizing the potential for interaction among the arts. Committed to lifelong education and the advancement of the arts in our society, the University serves as an educational and creative resource of the arts community, activities and organizations. Its instruction and related research, production, and service activities are designed to foster artistic excellence. 

In recognition of the increased blurring of disciplinary boundaries, the new College of Art, Media and Design (CAMD) at the University of the Arts is reinventing its pre-existing academic structures. The changes are the result of the University of the Arts Academic Plan, an innovative strategy for educating young artists and designers that emphasizes collaboration and exploration, both within and between disciplines, creating a flexible, multidisciplinary arts education that functions beyond traditional boundaries. The new approach is designed to help prepare students to live and work in a world in which art, creativity and imagination are the engines for social and economic change. 

The first stage of the plan’s implementation was the September 2011 launch of an integrated Film Program, with a first-year curriculum incorporating a full range of multidisciplinary film studies formerly housed in two different colleges. In the fall of 2012, the University will officially launch comprehensive Schools of Film, Design and Art, joining its established Schools of Dance and Music, and the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts. The School of Design contains programs in Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Multimedia. For more information about the School please visithttp://uarts.edu/academics/design 
Position Description 

The Director of the School is responsible for the educational, administrative and artistic activities of the School; the content and direction of the curriculum and its delivery; the student experience; the management of faculty and staff within the School and the School budget 

Main responsibilities: 

•     To provide academic leadership for the faculty, staff and students of the School 

•     To define the direction of and coordinate the content of the School curriculum in discussion with the School faculty 

•     To ensure all new program developments in the School match the rationale of the UArts Academic Plan and build on and extend the School’s strengths 

•     To ensure fair and consistent assessment of student work across the School 

•     To contribute to the development and delivery of a Teaching and Learning Strategy for the School and College 

•     To lead on the Assessment of Learning Outcomes in the School 

•     To participate in the appointment, evaluation and promotion of staff and faculty in the School 

•     To ensure all University policies and procedures are adhered to and followed 

•     To work closely with the other School Directors and the Dean of College to ensure that there is a coherent, integrated and interdisciplinary spectrum of academic activity within the Schools, College and University 

•     To manage the outgoing former programs and the new CAMD School programs sensitively and systematically in order to ensure all students have an appropriate educational experience 

•     To represent the School on University and College fora, committees and groups as required 

•     In conjunction with the Dean of College, manage the School Budget 

•     Contribute to the recruitment strategies and activities for the School and the College 

•     Promote the School, College and University and establish relationships with artistic and non-artistic communities in Philadelphia, the region, nationally and internationally 

•     Work as part of a team in interaction with other University administrative offices and personnel (e.g. Admissions, Finance, Facilities, Student Support, et. al) in order to contribute to the effective operation of the School, College and University 

•     To perform other tasks as may be required from time to time 

Qualifications: An advanced degree and professional experience in a design field are required. Applicants must be able to demonstrate significant academic leadership and teaching experience that would warrant an appointment at the rank of Full Professor. 

The successful candidate will be an energetic and creative leader, with an accomplished background in some aspect of design; an able administrator with a strong record of leadership, innovation and advocacy for change; a highly effective communicator with a record of successful collaborations. The Director will have a leadership role in providing a vision for the School that will ensure students are given an educational experience that will serve them well now and in the future. 


Initial screening will begin in January 2012. Late applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled.