Dean, School of the Arts, Media + Culture

Trinity Western University invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC). The Dean of SAMC will be a dynamic and transformational servant leader of outstanding Christian character who is an effective ambassador of the mission, vision, and values of Trinity Western University.  The Dean is responsible for the success of SAMC and as such, s/he will demonstrate wise, strategic, collaborative, and theologically-informed stewardship of the artistic, pedagogical, and scholarly gifts of the faculty and students. Recognizing that the arts have vital integrative power to reunite the intellect with the physical, emotional, and spiritual, the Dean of SAMC must be capable of fostering an academic culture and programs that deliver valuable, high-quality, student-focused learning experiences. Possessing emotional intelligence, aesthetic sophistication, entrepreneurial ambition, financial and managerial acumen, and theological insight, the Dean is able to work in a highly collaborative manner. Capable of managing the day-to-day operations of SAMC with a view to ensuring thriving programs, s/he possesses the commitment, personal characteristics, insights and abilities of an effective administrative and organizational leader.  The Dean will oversee the work of department chairs and staff, and provide effective supervision of faculty in their professional development, the integration of faith and learning, and the laudable project of redeeming transcendence. The Dean will responsibly represent and implement the academic and administrative policies and decisions of the University.

In this context, the successful candidate will be characterized by the following:

• Unreservedly adhere to and positively defend the University’s Statement of Faith and Community Covenant;
• Articulate how his/her Christian faith affects leadership, teaching and scholarship for the disciplines in the School;
• Provide a transformational servant model of leadership in setting and implementing academic goals and managing to institutional and board policies;
• Effectively represent the academic administration and institutional matters to the faculty and report on faculty matters to the academic administration;
• Demonstrate a commitment to academic freedom in a faith-affirming academic environment;
• Possess the ability to think critically, encourage new ideas, provide strategic direction and sustain a flourishing teaching, creative, and scholarly culture;
• Provide and prepare annual professional development reviews/reports for each faculty member in accord with the Office of the Provost;
• Demonstrate a collegial style of leadership and governance with departments and faculty members under his/her jurisdiction; and
• Serve as an effective spokesperson for the University in academic, community, and church circles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES

1. Academic Leadership

The primary responsibility of the Dean will be to provide academic leadership in the School of Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC). The Dean will:

• Think, work, and act institutionally by prioritizing the achievement of the University’s mission, core values, and vision;
• Lead and leverage the gifts and abilities of SAMC’s faculty and students in the course of seeking to fulfill SAMC’s strategic plan;
• Honour and advance SAMC faculty’s ability to integrate faith and learning in all aspects of the Faculty’s operations;
• Effectively articulate and support University standards and policies both orally and in writing;
• Initiate and implement new programs and courses in SAMC in collaboration with department chairs, the Office of the Provost, the University Senate, and the University President;
• Promote, monitor, evaluate, and provide support for the work of the faculty with respect to teaching, scholarship and research, and service to the University community;
• Monitor course syllabi and their implementation as well as how students are evaluated and work with the faculty department chairs in developing new course syllabi;
• Represent SAMC on Deans’ Council, and on other committees, as appropriate;
• Represent SAMC’s interests within the broader context of the University’s priorities and the University’s policies, goals, and priorities to SAMC;
• Direct departmental and program reviews as determined by the Provost;
• Plan appropriate professional development sessions and stimulate academic activities in cooperation with the Office of the Provost;
• Demonstrate academic expertise in an area encompassed by SAMC by teaching a prescribed number of courses as approved by the Provost;
• Lead and develop academic programs of excellence that revitalize and cultivate Christian imagination;
• Be an advocate for creativity and innovation at TWU;
• Establish and maintain strong connections between SAMC and the wider community; and
• Advance Trinity Western University’s commitment to valuable, high-quality, student-focused learning experiences.

 2. Staffing and Personnel

 The Dean will enable all faculty and staff in SAMC to exercise their duties effectively. The Dean will:

• Supervise and evaluate all teaching in SAMC, assisting and inspiring instructors to improve their teaching skills;
• Review and assess annual professional development agreements with all full-time faculty;
• Review and assess, for the appropriate committees, all faculty applying for tenure, promotion, sabbatical leaves, and research funding within SAMC;
• Meet regularly with and provide supervision to academic leaders within SAMC and work with academic support staff in a spirit of warm interpersonal relations; and
• Identify a workforce plan and collaborate with the Office of the Provost when recruiting and/or appointing all full- and part-time faculty and staff.

3. General Administration

The Dean will provide effective and efficient administration of all matters pertaining to the operation of the academic departments in SAMC. The Dean will:

• Prepare and manage operating, capital, salary and revenue budgets for SAMC, including the supervision and approval of purchases;
• Administer all academic, operational and human resource policies;
• Give general oversight to the usage and development of specialized departmental facilities, including studio, practice and performance space;
• Evaluate course viability (student demand and enrolment), Student Experience of Teaching and Learning reports, and grade distribution reports, and, when desirable, take corrective action;
• Prepare each semester’s course schedule in conjunction with the department chairs;
• Work with other faculties and schools in the development of new programs;
• Serve as or designate an academic advisor for multi-disciplinary majors;
• Handle student appeals pertaining to grades, dropping courses, changes in final examination schedules, exemption forms for graduation requirements, student discipline regarding academic dishonesty, and student complaints about faculty and staff as it relates to competence; and
• Arrange assignment of faculty and staff office space.

 4. External Relations

 The Dean will provide effective leadership and show a willingness to work with external relations and the development of fundraising initiatives such as advisory councils. The Dean will:

• Have an excellent scholarly background and experience in writing applications for and receiving grant funding;
• Have networking experience with other institutions, agencies, and organizations and have knowledge of the funding structures in Canada; and
• Serve as the faculty lead for strategic planning, faculty recruitment, and fundraising.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

A dynamic and proactive servant leader of outstanding Christian character, the Dean is an important member of TWU’s leadership team, contributing to the strategic planning and achievement of the University’s shared objectives. Those objectives include sustaining the transformational TWU educational experience that is built on high-quality teaching and learning; supporting faculty scholarship and research; offering innovative undergraduate programs; attracting outstanding students and faculty; and broadening and deepening community engagement.

Key selection criteria are as outlined below.

Experience and Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in a relevant discipline preferred;
• Proven track record of scholarship, creation, and/or research;
• Ability to meet criteria for tenure and promotion within SAMC, preferably at Associate professor level or above;
• Minimum of five years academic leadership experience preferred; and
• Ability to engage multiple stakeholders (internal and external) to accomplish strategic initiatives.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

Academic Administration and Leadership Excellence

• A collaborative and consultative leadership style;
• An understanding and appreciation of the diverse range of disciplines and programs in TWU’s School of Arts, Media + Culture;
• Familiarity with new academic program development and implementation and with program review and evaluation;
• An understanding and appreciation of current and emerging approaches to teaching and learning and a commitment to teaching excellence;
• An ability to foster an academic and professional environment that supports the recruitment, engagement, development, and retention of talented faculty and staff;
• A commitment to collegial and collaborative governance and to effective faculty relations;
• A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusivity and to applying these values in decision-making;
• A commitment to encouraging a dynamic and forward-thinking culture of innovation; and
• A commitment to developing and maintaining strong connections between SAMC and the wider community.

Research Support

• An ability to advocate for scholarship, creative and research opportunities within the University and in the broader community; and
• An understanding of how to effectively encourage student creative  and scholarly efforts and skills.

Capable and Responsible Administrative Management Ability

• A familiarity with strategic and operational planning, budgeting, faculty relations, and human resource processes;
• An ability to consult and to listen, to develop a vision and strategy, to create action plans and goals, and to efficiently manage plans to successful conclusion;
• An ability to develop plans and to make decisions that consider differing and competing priorities and constrained resources, consistent with the context of a multi-campus, multi-community university;
• An ability to contribute to planning, policy, and budgeting discussions and decision-making at the institutional leadership level;
• An ability to advocate effectively for departments, faculty, staff, and students; and
• An ability to foster relationships with the faculty based on communication, trust, collegiality, collective problem solving, and shared interests.

Student Focus

• Passion for and commitment to student success and for fostering and supporting student learning, creation, research, experience, growth, and development for all students;
• An interest in and commitment to connecting with and engaging undergraduate students;
• A respect for and an ability to work with active student leadership;
• An ability to foster a culture in which all student voices are encouraged and heard; and
• A visible and active approach to participating in student life on campus.

Exceptional Communication and Relationship Building Skills

• An ability to create strong relationships with faculty, staff, and students within SAMC and across the University;
• An ability to identify, develop, and negotiate mutually beneficial strategic partnerships within SAMC, across the University, and between the University and community, industry, government, educational, and research funding and granting partners;
• The ability to represent the University externally and articulate a clear, compelling vision for the School of Arts, Media + Culture in order to engage stakeholders and attract external partners; and
• A personal communication style that earns respect, trust, cooperation, and support within SAMC and University and with external stakeholders.

For more information on this position, please see the Executive brief attached. In addition, more information about Trinity Western’s School of Arts, Media + Culture can be found here.

Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian University of the arts, sciences, and professions.  Recognized for quality, TWU is consistently ranked among the top two universities in Canada for Educational Experience by the National Survey of Student Engagement; holds four Canada Research Chairs; wins National Championships in U Sports; and emphasizes experiential learning to prepare graduates to make a global impact. TWU has been developing leaders of character and competence for more than 50 years. Interested candidates are asked to carefully review the TWU Mission Statement (available here), Statement of Faith and Community Covenant (available here).  Successful candidates must be willing to support these statements during their employment at TWU.
All prospective candidates are required to submit the following as part of their online application:

• a cover letter;
• a curriculum vitae;
• verification of doctoral degree;
• signed Statement of Faith and Community Covenant; and
• a document (no more than two pages) which describes how you anticipate your Christian faith would influence your teaching, scholarship and leading others in your faculty as a Dean at Trinity Western University.

Please complete the online application available here; only complete applications will be considered. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

Trinity Western University encourages applications from all eligible candidates who are able to commit to the university’s mission, values, and Christian identity as articulated in its Statement of Faith and Community Covenant. We are committed to an ethic of inclusion and to the equal treatment of all persons without discrimination in accordance with human rights law. We particularly invite applications from indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations during the application process should contact Isabel Lopez (Isabel.Lopez@twu.ca) in the Human Resources Department. 

Trinity Western University is located on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Sto:lo, Algonquin, and Musqueam people.