Department Chair - Film and Media Arts-Job#076723

Department Chair - Film and Media Arts-Job#076723

The Department of Film and Media Arts within the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, seeks a highly accomplished and effective leader to serve as its chair with a preferred start date of July 1, 2023. The future chair will be a filmmaker or other moving image professional such as a screenwriter or producer with a deep body of creative work in the field, and a passion for developing emerging filmmakers within the academy.

The NASAD-accredited department is housed in a tier-one research university and offers BFA and MFA degrees in Film, Computer Art and Animation, and Art Photography. The current enrollment is approximately 400 majors with 45 full and part-time faculty committed to developing highly skilled professionals ready to tackle the demands of contemporary art and commerce. Accolades include #3 Best Photography Degrees (College Choice Rankings), Top 25 film program, for the seventh consecutive year (The Hollywood Reporter). This position is open until filled.

In this vibrant and creative environment, the chair will collaborate with strategic academic leadership and serve as the department’s public-facing advocate at the university, national, and global levels. The chair will become part of a significant committed effort, guided by the university’s mission, core values, and strategic goals, to rethink and re-envision film and media arts programs and community presence through a lens of anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We are particularly interested in candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their creative work, teaching, and service.

The chair will maintain open and constant communication with staff, faculty, and students through scheduled individual and group meetings; guide the promotion and tenure process as well as faculty and staff annual reviews; support recruitment efforts at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; offer student support and assistance as needed; oversee curriculum design, advising, accreditation, assessment, operations, budget, and day-to-day management.

The chair will lead strategic organization and development of innovative curriculum and courses to be offered on campus, abroad or away, working collaboratively with faculty and the directors at Syracuse University Abroad and study away locations. To support the academic requirements for each degree program offered, the chair will oversee the scheduling and supervision of course loads and curricular offerings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: ·

• MFA or related terminal degree and current experience in the profession at the very highest level of accomplishment is required. A proven record of high-quality creative activity, scholarship, and/or professional accomplishment commensurate with appointment as full professor is preferred.
• Past administrative and fiscal leadership, including fundraising.
• Past oversight of curriculum design, development, assessment, and accreditation.
• Evidence of a commitment to working collegially with individuals from diverse backgrounds in an environment of shared governance is required.

JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS: Qualified candidates will have excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrate a commitment to promoting an inclusive and diverse educational environment. The strongest candidates also will have familiarity with standard technology used in teaching and administrative procedures, as well as various forms of social media, and have a breadth and depth of knowledge of academic programs in film at the regional, national, and international levels. A record of excellence in teaching and experience in developing curriculum for undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate students is desirable. Established relationships with critical constituencies and industry is highly desirable.

RESPONSIBILITIES: In consultation with the faculty and staff, the chair will provide fiduciary, creative and academic leadership, and communicate related initiatives to the dean’s leadership team.

Academic Programs: Provide oversight of the organization and development of courses and curriculum and oversees the academic requirements for each degree program including scheduling and supervision of course loads and curricular offerings in the unit.

Student welfare and advisement: In consultation with the director of academic and career services, ensures that students have access to meaningful academic and career advising-and to appropriate services that promote wellness and address their concerns.

Personnel functions: Recruit, supervise, and evaluate departmental personnel; recommend faculty loads.

Tenure and promotion: Make recommendations to the dean and appropriate college committees regarding promotion, tenure, and other faculty matters.

Budget and facilities: Oversee the development and management of departmental budgets, including allocation of resources in support of teaching, creative, and scholarly activity; oversees allocation, use, and maintenance of equipment and space assigned to the department; makes recommendations concerning faculty and staff salaries.

Fundraising: Collaborate with VPA Office of Advancement to engage prospective donors to support strategic initiatives in the department.

Recruitment: Engage all faculty in undergraduate and graduate recruitment efforts by working collaboratively the VPA Office of Recruitment and Admissions.

All inquiries will remain confidential. Applicants may contact the search committee chair, Dr. Milton Laufer: mrlaufer@syr.edu for more information. To apply, visit https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/96301.

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution.