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Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Drama

College of Performing Arts at The New School

Start date: On or before December 17th, 2024, with room for flexibility

The School of Drama at The New Schoolâ™s College of Performing Arts is seeking a highly qualified Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to join its leadership team. The Associate Dean is an academic and administrative leader at the School of Drama, and a key contributor to the delivery of innovative and relevant curricula that prepare students for lives in and beyond the dramatic arts. They are also a core member of the senior leadership team at the College of Performing Arts, representing the College in a variety of contexts within and beyond the walls of the University. The Associate Dean, working closely with the School of Drama leadership team, will support and develop pioneering courses, programmatic offerings, and performance opportunities that will build on the School of Dramaâ™s values of artistic excellence, relevance, creativity, and authenticity.

 

The School of Drama sits alongside Mannes School of Music and the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music to constitute The New Schoolâ™s College of Performing Arts. As a unified college, these three schools seek to develop artist-citizens who engage the world around them, in and through the arts, in traditional, emergent, and new forms of practice and expression. The successful candidate will be passionate about The New Schoolâ™s commitment to justice and multidisciplinary education, and will be a strong leader and collaborator who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly team-oriented environment. They will be nimble and adaptable, will approach their work with professionalism and positivity, and demonstrate great empathy and honesty. The Associate Dean of the School of Drama is part of a leadership team that works and makes decisions together in order to develop a long-term vision for the College while ensuring that all programs are aligned with College and university-wide values.

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, School of Drama reports directly to the Dean of the School of Drama.

The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Dean leads in the areas of faculty development, curricula, and pedagogy at the School. They will, among other responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, vision, and guidance in the maintenance of forward-thinking theater-based curricula in our BFA in Dramatic Arts and MFA in Contemporary Theatre and Performance programs;

• Work closely with the Dean of the School of Drama and the Vice Dean for Curriculum and Learning on faculty and curricular development and assessment, and long-term academic planning for the School of Drama (e.g., new courses, course assignments, programs, and degree requirements);

• Oversee faculty affairs including the hiring and supervision of faculty;

• Work with the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs on course scheduling, classroom and studio assignments, and monitoring faculty course loads to maximize resources consistent with University policies;

• Work with the School of Drama academic leadership team to ensure students complete degree requirements in a timely manner;

• Liaise with the Producer of Theatre and Opera to fully realize the integration of curriculum, performance, and production;

• Work with the Dean of the School of Drama, the Program and Administration Manager, the General Manager, and the Vice Dean of Finance and Administration as an active participant in budget planning and fiscal management of the School of Drama;

• Cultivate new initiatives, partnerships, and programs which prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration across the school at the College, The New School, and the local, national and international professional theater community;

• Remain competent and current through self-directed professional development, ongoing professional relationships with colleagues, and attending training and/or courses in consultation with the Dean;

• Maintain an atmosphere of collegiality between faculty, staff, and students at the School of Drama;

• Work with students, faculty, and curriculum across the College.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced degree in theater or a dramatic arts-related field is required;

• At least five years of experience as a faculty member in a dramatic-arts related field;

• Current professional or scholarly contributions to the performing arts with evidence of forward-thinking and inclusive practices in areas such as playwriting, acting, directing, and theatrical design and media;

• Demonstrated pedagogical expertise and success within nationally or internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate-level theater programs including assessment, research, and faculty development;

• Superlative people skills, including leadership, facilitation, and the desire to work as part of a highly motivated team. Effective problem-solving and communication skills are essential;

• A visionary, creative, and collaborative approach within the work environment;

• Experienced or able to learn and develop fluency in The New Schoolâ™s suite of applications including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, WorkDay, Tableau, Banner, and 25Live;

• Demonstrated commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and the transformative power of the arts and education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A terminal degree in theater or a dramatic arts-related field.

• At least five years of experience as a faculty member (preferably full-time) in the area of acting, directing, playwriting, design, and/or dramaturgy.

• At least five years of experience in an administrative leadership role in higher education (i.e. Dean, Department Chair, Program Director, Area Coordinator).

• Experience mentoring students and faculty on the best practices of devising, producing, and/or interdisciplinary collaboration.

WORK MODE

Hybrid/Fixed Split: Hybrid work mode where employees have regularly scheduled, consistent percentage of time in the Universityâ™s place(s) of business (e.g., 3-4x/week) and also work some of the time off campus. #LI-Hybrid
 

SALARY

$114,000 - $124,000 annually

About The New School

The New School, a leading university in downtown New York City, offers degree and nondegree academic programs in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. Students benefit from small classes, superior resources, and renowned faculty members who practice what they teach. Continuing education courses and public programs place the university at the center of New York’s cultural and intellectual life.

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