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Dean, School of Fine Arts

Employer
University of Connecticut
Location
Storrs Campus

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Executive Administration Jobs
Deans
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Search #: 497572
Work type: Full-time
Location: Storrs Campus
Categories: Executive

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut (UConn), one of the nation’s leading public research universities, seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the School of Fine Arts. UConn seeks candidates with a comprehensive resume of success in academic leadership roles and who can demonstrate exceptional skills and experience that will enable them to provide strong leadership to a research and educational enterprise across multiple campuses.

The dean will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to all aspects of the academic and scholarly program, setting priorities for the School of Fine Arts and guiding it towards strategic goals of enhancing scholarship, promoting research and outreach, and providing excellence in professional and graduate education in an academic setting with a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. The dean is the school’s chief advocate, promoting its goals and achievements, leading its development and fundraising activities, and speaking for its mission of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and public service. The dean will be the school’s public voice, promoting initiatives within UConn and across the state, and articulating the school’s contributions at the local, state, regional, national and international levels. In pursing these responsibilities, the dean, who reports to the provost, will work collaboratively with the provost and vice provosts, other deans, and department heads.

The successful candidate will be a nationally recognized, self-assured, entrepreneurial leader prepared to advance the initiatives and priorities of the University’s academic vision. Candidates will be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning experience; and provide leadership in developing initiatives designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests. In addition, the ideal candidate will be an independent thinker dedicated to collaborative governance, will possess a leadership style that values diversity and difference, will be a sophisticated administrator capable of building strong working relationships, committed to the search for new knowledge, and able to imagine new possibilities for the School of Fine Arts.

The University of Connecticut has retained the services of the executive search firm Parker Executive Search, to conduct this important search. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this posting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • In partnership with senior university administrators, assure the campus environment appropriately enables and supports academic goals, objectives, and programs.
  • Partner with faculty, staff, and students to maintain a climate of civility and collegiality through effective communication and a strong commitment to enhancing the quality and diversity of the campus population.
  • Oversee academic departments, interdisciplinary centers, institutes, and programs, and other academic activities within the school. Collaborate with faculty, academic department heads, and deans to identify instructional needs.
  • In support of University goals and priorities, promote the School of Fine Arts through communications and public relations efforts critical to the success of the school/college, including building relationships and partnerships with alumni, civic, youth, historical, visual and performing arts, and other groups and organizations. Assist the President and Provost in representing the University on matters related to its core missions of research, education, and outreach. Partner with the UConn Foundation to assure robust fundraising and alumni relations.
  • Collaborate with the Vice President for Enrollment Management to recruit and retain high-caliber students. Develop and nurture relationships with K-12 schools, community colleges, and other educational institutions to recruit these quality students to UConn and increase enrollment of qualified students.
  • Collaborate with the Department of Public Safety, Facilities Operations and Building Services, University Information Technology Services, and Planning, Design and Construction Services to assure a safe, secure, productive working environment for the conduct of research and instructional activities.
  • Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to School/college employees, including hiring, promotion, tenure and review, professional development, discipline, training, and promotion of all direct reports. In consultation with University officials, the dean will appoint endowed faculty chairs and professorships and increase faculty awards and fellowships. Represents the School/college in labor-related procedures.
  • Advance the scholarly activities of the faculty, including disciplinary opportunities, in support of the University’s research mission.
  • Assure the school offers a positive learning environment and students receive appropriate support services. Coordinate closely with university offices to enhance access to course offerings through on-line education, assure programs available to meet the needs of various student groups, and assure the campus operates in accordance with University-wide policies and practices regarding student conduct, disability services, counseling and mental health services, behavioral threat assessment, and other important student affairs functions. Advance undergraduate education and, in partnership with the Dean of the Graduate School, graduate education within the school.
  • Implement and uphold academic rules and regulations and promote academic integrity.
  • Effectively manage academic resources and prepare and manage the school’s annual operating budget. Prioritize the allocation of resources to support the university’s academic mission and plan.
  • In support of university and campus priorities, develop capital improvement proposals. Assess the need for and make recommendations about equipment acquisitions and facilities renovations and upgrades.
  • Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Credentials that merit appointment for a tenure-track academic appointment at the rank of Professor or a current appointment at UConn at the rank of Professor in one of UConn’s schools and colleges, including a Ph.D., M.F.A, or D.M.A., or terminal degree in a field relevant to leadership in academic affairs and the School of Fine Arts. Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
  • At least 5 years of senior administrative experience in a progressively responsible leadership position at a higher education institution, demonstrating knowledge of core management functions and clear experience with managing strategic priorities, and familiarity with University policies, guidance, best practices, and procedures.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • At least 10 years of experience in a progressively responsible leadership position at a higher education institution.
  • Background and experience pertinent to the unique programs and setting of the school/college, including a clear understanding of the academic vision of the university, the land grant mission of the university, and the school/college’s goals and opportunities to deliver quality undergraduate and graduate education.
  • Proven business and political acumen commensurate with the leadership needs of school/college, including the ability to navigate the organizational, political, and fiscal realities unique to a major public research university; demonstrable experience applying sound judgement; and an ability to manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive and professional relationships with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and other individuals and organizations.
  • Demonstrated commitment to enhance the diversity of the University population, including assessing needs, developing initiatives, and applying best practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and interpret complex situations and problems, evaluate options, devise and propose solutions that align resources with goals, implement plans, and measure outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate needs, plans, and programs effectively.
  • Experience as an agent of innovation and change, achieving excellence across a complex organization.
APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 12-month, management-exempt position with an anticipated start date of January 1, 2024. The successful candidate will be considered for a 9-month, tenured academic appointment in the School of Fine Arts.

Salary commensurate with experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

The University of Connecticut has retained the services of the executive search firm Parker Executive Search to conduct this important search. The full position profile can be found at: https://www.parkersearch.com/current-opportunities/uconn/dean-fine-arts.

The search committee invites letters of nomination, applications (cover letter, full resume/CV, and contact information of at leave five references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm. Cover letters should include a robust statement on the candidate's familiarity and comfort with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and examples of their leadership in those domains. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred that all materials are submitted prior to September 1, 2023. For additional information, please contact:

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875

Atlanta, GA 30328

770-804-1996 ext 117

Porsha Williams, Vice President, pwilliams@parkersearch.com

Erin Raines, Senior Principal, eraines@parkersearch.com

Delando Crooks, Associate, dcrooks@parkersearch.com

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the School of Fine Arts, please visit the school’s website: https://sfa.uconn.edu/

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.

Advertised: May 24 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 01 2023 Eastern Daylight Time

Organization

Working at UCONN

The University of Connecticut is a national leader among public research universities, with more than 30,000 students seeking answers to critical questions in classrooms, labs, and the community. A culture of innovation drives this pursuit of knowledge throughout the University’s network of campuses. Connecticut’s commitment to higher education helps UConn attract students who thrive in the most competitive environments, as well as globally renowned faculty members. Our school pride is fueled by a history of success that has made us a standout in Division I athletics. UConn fosters a diverse and vibrant culture that meets the needs and seizes the opportunities of a dynamic global society.

Company info
Website
Telephone
860-486-3034
Location
9 Walters Avenue
Storrs
Connecticut
06269
US

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