Job no: 499524
College / VP Area: College of Arts & Sciences
Work type: Faculty
Location: Newark/Hybrid
Categories: Music, Full Time

POSITION: University of Delaware School of Music Director

The School of Music at the University of Delaware seeks an inspiring and visionary leader for the position of Director. The Director of the School of Music will collaborate with faculty, the Associate Dean for the Arts, and the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences to create and implement an innovative vision and strategy that will further expand the School of Music’s national and international reputation. Located in a fertile geographic region with proximity to major Northeast cultural centers, the School of Music at the University of Delaware is uniquely positioned for continued growth, with a highly accomplished and renowned faculty, an engaged student body, a sizeable and growing endowment, and both a faculty and a College and University administration that are eager to achieve greater levels of prominence. The position is a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor, commencing July 2023. The Director will report to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The School of Music celebrates and supports excellence in all people and is working to build the most inclusive and diverse community possible. We actively encourage women, people with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups to apply.

THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The University of Delaware School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a member of the National Association of Music Executives of State Universities (NAMESU) and is home to a music teacher education program that is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Having grown steadily for two decades, the School of Music recently converted from a department to a School of Music and is poised for significant continued growth. The Director will lead a School of Music that is home to more than 360 students, including 240 undergraduate majors, 75 graduate students, and 50 music minors. These students collaborate with over 60 highly accomplished and active faculty with national and international reputations, pursuing a comprehensive array of majors and minors. The School of Music presents more than 300 performances and events annually. Its Community Music School engages over 600 community members in classes, ensembles, lessons, and other programs led by School of Music faculty and students. An integral part of a Research I institution with a liberal arts core, the School of Music engages in nationally and internationally renowned research, and with partnerships across the university and in the community. Notably, School of Music undergraduate and graduate students participate in research with faculty on a regular basis. As part of the university’s Carnegie classified Community Engagement Initiative, the School of Music is committed to fostering a high level of service-learning and community engagement among students and faculty.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of the School of Music at the University of Delaware will be expected to

• provide vision and dynamic leadership for advancing the School of Music toward greater national and international prominence.
• advocate on behalf of the School of Music with University administration, trustees, donors, alumni, the professional music community, and the public.
• strengthen the School of Music’s programs and reputation through effective budgeting, fundraising in collaboration with the University Development Office, and managing growth of the School of Music Endowment.
• foster a spirit of creativity and innovation in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and service among a diverse and high-quality faculty within the School of Music while recruiting, retaining, and developing new faculty.
• collaborate with faculty in the creation, development, and promotion of innovative music curricula that meet the needs of the 21st-Century music student.
• work with existing faculty and staff to create efficient structures and systems of management and administration within the School of Music.
• foster an environment that values shared governance, educational equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• strengthen existing collaborations and establish new partnerships with professional performing artists and performing arts organizations regionally, nationally, and internationally.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Director of the School of Music at the University of Delaware should have

• demonstrated successful leadership experience within a music academic unit including implementation of a strategic vision.
• a transformative, positive, and inspiring leadership style with the capacity for visionary and innovative thinking demonstrated by an extensive record of effective academic and artistic leadership
• demonstrated ability to lead effectively through listening, consensus building, collaboration, and shared governance.
• experience with complex budget modeling.
• success with fundraising and development.
• collaborative experience in community outreach and building relationships and partnerships with diverse constituencies.
• demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively with College and University administrators.
• demonstrated ability to recruit, empower, and advocate effectively for faculty, staff, and students.
• proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• an advanced degree in one of the School’s disciplines or a closely related field along with a distinguished record of professional accomplishment that merits an appointment at the rank of Professor with tenure.

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware offers exceptional educational experiences including integrated instruction, research, and public engagement. With 24 academic departments and more than 25 centers, programs and institutes, the College serves more than 6,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students with CAS majors, but also every single University student through fundamental course work. The College’s 600 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and science education and share a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression. The College has departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and features outstanding research and teaching facilities. Faculty and staff encourage and support innovative interdisciplinary collaborations and students engage local, national, and global audiences through research and creative activity. With annual research expenditures of approximately $35 million, the College currently houses several large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and NSF.

The University of Delaware (www.udel.edu) is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education, combining tradition and innovation. The university recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and in supporting its academic mission. We are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds, and we strongly encourage applications from educators from under-represented groups. UD provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

TO APPLY: Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2022, and will continue until the position is filled. The School of Music celebrates and supports excellence in all people and is working to build the most inclusive and diverse community possible. We actively encourage women, people with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Applicants should upload a (a) letter of application that includes a detailed and supported explanation of how the candidate meets the qualifications for this position; (b)current curriculum vitae; and (c) list of five professional references with contact information. (Letters of recommendation are not required at this time.)

For inquiries about the position, please Kami Silk, kamisilk@udel.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close: Open until filled