The Inaugural Dean will serve as the visionary leader of Sands College. They will lead the organizational vision and strategy during a pivotal moment as its internal structure is being fully established and Sands is positioned to gain recognition externally within academia and across professional industries.
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will lead the College’s academics, operations, budget, productions, and fundraising activities. They will oversee eight undergraduate individual programs: BFA, Acting; BFA, Acting for Film, Television, Voice-overs, and Commercials (FTVC); BFA, Commercial Dance; BA, Acting and BA, Directing International Performance Ensemble; BFA, Musical Theatre; BFA, Production and Design for Stage and Screen; and BA, Stage Management, and develop additional programs to further hone student talents to prepare them for the future industry in the performing arts. The Dean will design, develop, and implement strategic plans and policies in collaboration with the University, will serve as the chief academic officer for Sands, and will sit on the Provost’s Deans Council, the Council of Deans and Faculty for Tenure and Promotion (“CDFPT”), the President’s Operations Committee, and other key leadership committees.
The Dean articulates and nurtures the three hallmarks of the institution: teaching/learning, research/creative activity, and service, working closely with faculty to offer strategic vision, dynamic leadership, and support for all the College’s constituencies. To this end, the Dean will cultivate a supportive environment for faculty, students, and staff with a focus on recruiting and retaining excellent faculty members, of which there are currently 26 full time and 130+ adjuncts. The Dean will oversee the development, implementation, and assessment of a high quality and academically rigorous Performing Arts curriculum, foster initiatives and activities that generate revenue, and advance development efforts to support programs.
Position Duties
In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of the role, the Dean will have the opportunity to focus on the following:
Academic leadership
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Collaborate with faculty to enhance academic programs and curriculum;
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Encourage the development of new degree programs and enhance current offerings;
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Cultivate innovation and excellence in teaching;
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Foster a student-centered culture throughout the College; and
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Support student retention and success by enriching student support services and promoting the seamless delivery of College-specific and shared University services to students.
Providing visionary leadership
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Set strategic objectives and clear goals for the artistic direction and development of the College;
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Support opportunities to expand programs and facilities; Seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to unify constituents toward common goals; and look forward to the College’s future with an entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing innovative ideas that will stretch the institution and push boundaries within the industry while remaining fiscally responsible.
Leveraging momentum
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Set clear and ambitious goals to guide the ongoing transformation of the College and nurture a culture of accountability and high standards;
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In collaboration with the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Placement, oversee the recruitment, admissions, and retention of an exceptionally gifted and diverse student body;
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Demonstrate an inspiring passion for Pace’s mission to lead the College’s growth; and
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Strengthen and grow mutually beneficial performing arts industry relationships in New York and beyond.
Raising visibility and resources
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Articulate the College’s comparative advantages to a wider audience, amplifying its recognition nationally and internationally;
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Encourage interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship that raises Pace’s academic standing;
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Create avenues for supporting the affordability and accessibility of a Pace education; and
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Strengthen relationships with alumni, foundations, and other grant-making entities, while partnering with the development staff on fundraising efforts and building the College’s Advisory Board.
Building organizational capacity
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Foster a transparent and collaborative culture through open communication with faculty, staff, deans, and University administration;
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Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing graduate education;
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Cultivate a positive working environment to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff; and
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Further develop operational infrastructure, including facilities, to address the shifting higher education and industry landscapes.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
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Demonstrate a deep personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work and leadership;
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Address overlapping inequities, elevating equity, access, belonging, and inclusion for faculty, students, and staff;
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Listen to individuals with differing experiences and create open and inclusive spaces and platforms for those voices; and
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Support the growing diversity and sense of belonging of the Pace community across the institution.
Position Qualifications
Candidates will be expected to hold an advanced degree and administrative experience in a complex performing arts organization, ideally in higher education. A terminal degree in a performing arts discipline is preferred, as is distinguished excellence in teaching, research, and creative work that is suitable for appointment to a tenured full professor position.
While no one individual will possess the following attributes in equal measure, strong candidates should demonstrate excellence and experience in most of the following:
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Organizational culture of higher education institutions, including an appreciation for and knowledge of shared governance;
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Academic policies and procedures and university standards in academic excellence;
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Performing arts in higher education;
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Moving curricula and degree programs through university councils and NYSED;
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Academic and production handbooks and policies for schools in higher education;
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Reporting procedures and human resource procedures that foster and safe equitable environment for employees, faculty, staff, and students;
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Breaking down silos and integrating resources and activities across an institution in alignment with its mission;
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Multitasking with ease, such as managing multiple projects with respect to strategic outcomes;
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Building consensus and resolving conflicts with transparency;
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Serving as an ambassador to a wide range of internal and external audiences and stakeholders;
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Implementing policy initiatives that improve academic standards and enrollment and increase retention, while enhancing program competitiveness;
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Management and administrative competencies including employee supervision, financial management, labor relations, strategic planning, data-driven decision-making, enrollment management, and marketing and communications;
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Diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and the transformative power of the arts and education;
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Increasing the diversity of the campus community;
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Collaboration, trust, and transparency;
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Building consensus and broad support for bold ideas;
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Emotional intelligence, including the ability to form productive working relationships across the University and beyond;
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Entrepreneurial inclination and a history of encouraging innovation;
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Strategic ability, intellectual curiosity, and a growth-driven attitude; and
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Increasing revenue, including development of external funding opportunities.
About the Institution
Ranked in the top 9% of private US colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment, Pace University transforms the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. Currently, the University enrolls more than 13,000 students in more than 150 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. Pace University is at the forefront of creating opportunity. Through the convergence of strong academics, experiential learning, and dedicated advising, Pace University empowers its students and positively impacts its communities.
Benefits Offered
Pace University provides a competitive benefit program designed to offer the following:
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Medical, vision and dental insurance for preventive care or diagnostic and surgical procedures as well as an incentivized medical plan waiver option for those who choose not to participate (FT Employees).
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Income protection in the event an employee is not actively at work, due to illness (FT Employees).
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403B investment opportunity to save toward financial security in retirement (PT and FT Employees).
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Programs and services that assist in balancing work and personal life (PT and FT Employees).
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Educational opportunities for the employee and eligible members of their family to pursue a degree at Pace or another higher education institution (PT and FT Employees).
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Opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in Pace’s award-winning health and wellness program, Pace Yourself to Wellness, which is designed to inspire employees to engage in healthy habits while optimizing health care resources (PT and FT Employees).
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Discount purchase plans for everything from entertainment, shopping and travel (PT and FT Employees).
AA/EEO Statement
Pace University is committed to achieving full equal opportunity in all aspects of University life. Pursuant to this commitment, the University does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender or gender identity; race; color; national origin; religion; creed; age; disability; citizenship; marital or domestic partnership status; sexual orientation or affectional status; genetic predisposition or carrier status; military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking; or any other characteristic protected by law federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.
Annual Security Report Notice
Pace is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the University. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University’s Safety and Security department publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which can be accessed here. The report contains information on security policies as well as crime and fire statistics for the University.