Visiting Professor, Music Industry

About Drexel  

Drexel is a comprehensive global research university ranked among the top 100 in the nation. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, and a major engine for economic development in the region. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.  

Job Summary  

We are recruiting a visiting faculty member for a one-year appointment in Drexel’s undergraduate program in Music Industry. Applicants should demonstrate a knowledge of the global creative and entertainment industries with a specialty in creativity, marketing and promotion or data analysis.  Areas of teaching may include music business topics such as A&R, Marketing, Artist Branding, Copyrights, Music Publishing, Record Label Operations, Entertainment Law, and the Study of Popular Music Culture. Candidates are not expected to have knowledge in all of the above categories but should have extensive experience in their field. An ideal candidate will be prepared to teach existing courses in the music industry curriculum, available online at https://drexel.edu/westphal/academics/undergraduate/MIP/Curriculum/, suggest new courses in their area of expertise, and will bring industry experience to bear on the courses they teach. The visiting professor will teach 27 credits in the 2021-2022 academic year (approximately 9 courses total), and will work with program faculty and students on other special projects as appropriate. The teaching load will be spread over nine months of the year during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters (September 2021-June 2022). All courses are expected to be taught in person on Drexel’s University City campus.  

An ideal candidate should have current music industry experience in their area of expertise. Being that this is a visiting professor position, candidates should have a national reputation for their professional work and the ability to bring their industry experience into classroom settings. Prior teaching experience is preferred, but not required. 

Preferred candidates will have expertise in cross-cultural communication and collaboration. They will have knowledge of barriers for underrepresented students in higher education and creative workers in the music industry; and experience or demonstrated commitment to teaching and/or mentoring underrepresented populations. 

Supplemental Information: 

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University's Music Industry Program is highly competitive and well-respected amongst industry leaders, having recently been named one of the top music industry programs by Billboard magazine. The program features state-of-the-art music production and classroom facilities, and the MAD Dragon Music Group, a collection of award-winning, student-run music entities. The program’s approximately 300 students specialize in either the study of recording arts & music production or music business. 

The Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is dedicated to the education of students in the areas of design, media and the performing and visual arts. The Westphal College offers 17 undergraduate and eight graduate majors, housed in award-winning, technologically enhanced facilities, and taught by distinguished faculty who have worked at the top of their fields. The College values a studio approach that incorporates six months of required co-op work experience for all undergraduate students. Westphal is home to a virtual reality and immersive research lab, two theaters, an art gallery, a notable collection of over 17,000 historic costumes, a record label, a television station, and numerous cutting-edge making spaces. Westphal educates students to find their place as leaders in today's rapidly changing world by teaching the diverse skills needed to conceptualize and implement creative thinking. The synergy of Westphal’s creative programs, strong foundation curriculum and diverse minors, and stewardship of University assets and enterprises enhances the strength of the College in this interdisciplinary age. The College actively participates in community-based learning programs that allow students and faculty to study the issues affecting our world in collaboration with neighboring communities. As the center for creativity at Drexel, the Westphal College’s collaborative community of scholars, creatives, thinkers, and doers are uniquely positioned to face the world’s challenges and define the creative careers of the 21st century. Westphal is dedicated to building a community where everyone is welcome and a multiplicity of voices are celebrated. 

Fifteen of Westphal’s degree programs enjoy national rankings and the College is ranked one of the best Design and Applied Art schools in the nation. The Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is academically accredited, as part of Drexel University, by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Additionally, the programs in art, design and media are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD); the architecture program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and the interior design program by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). 

Drexel University is a comprehensive research university located in Philadelphia, the sixth largest city in the nation. With approximately 25,000 students, Drexel is one of America’s 15 largest private universities and is passionately committed to interdisciplinary research, experiential learning, and meaningful community engagement. 

Drexel University offers an attractive benefits package including tuition remission, a generous retirement package and an opportunity to join a talented team of professionals directly helping the University achieve its record growth and quality reputation. 

Drexel University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and believes that an inclusive and respectful environment enriches the University community and the educational and employment experience of its members. The University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Please visit our website to view all University Policies and Workplace Postings. 

Drexel University is committed to addressing the hiring inequity that often disproportionately affect people from historically underrepresented groups throughout the University. We commit to educating ourselves about the disparities in hiring practices to better understand how we can combat these injustices within all departments. Human Resources (HR), Office of the Provost, and Office of Equality and Diversity (OED) will work in collaboration with departments to ensure that fair and appropriate measures are taken to strengthen the pool of job applicants as part of our hiring strategies. These hiring strategies will be implemented to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply, who are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, staff and faculty 

These hiring strategies include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) careful selection of hiring committees so that they reflect diversity of rank, gender, ethnicity, discipline, and beyond; (2) strategic authoring of job advertisements to emphasize diversity up front and to succinctly distinguish between required and desired qualification; (3) thoughtful placement of job advertisements through websites and organizations that elevate applicants from historically underrepresented groups; (4) requesting diversity statements from job applicants using clearly outlined criteria; (5) regular communication with the Chief Diversity Officer and Human Resources in which strategies 1-4 are discussed, deliberating the hiring successes and deterrents in addressing these strategies. 

Priority consideration given to applications received prior to April 15th, applications open until position is filled. 

Essential Functions:  

• Teach undergraduate courses in the Music Industry Program. 

• Mentor and advise Music Industry students including supervision of student internships and co-ops. 

• Maintain industry relationships supporting curriculum, student co-ops, and creative collaborations with the university’s Music Industry Program. 

• Integrate professional experiences into courses taught. 

• Maintain involvement in appropriate professional organizations. 

• Participate in communications and public relations efforts related to the visiting professor appointment, as a representative of Drexel’s Music Industry Program. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Demonstrable depth, breadth and working knowledge of recorded music industry. 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the recorded music industry.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• College-level teaching experience 

• Preferred candidates will have an expertise in one or more of the following areas: Music Publishing, Record Label Operations, Digital Marketing, Entertainment Law, Popular Music Culture.  

Additional Information: 

Salary ranges between $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 depending upon experience 

Location: 

University City 

Special Instructions to the Applicant: 

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. 

Review of applicants will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.