Associate Dean, Faculty, Curriculum, and Instruction

POSITION:                             Associate Dean, Faculty, Curriculum, and Instruction

DEPARTMENT:                        AFI Conservatory

LOCATION:                            Los Angeles Campus

***Please send resumes and cover letters to afi.careers @AFI.COM to be considered***

COVID-19 PROTOCOL:        AFI required full vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees, subject to limited, legally required exceptions. Proof of vaccination, or documentation supporting an exception to this policy, will be required prior to employment.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Dean, Faculty, Curriculum, and Instruction leads the development, evaluation, and execution of AFI Conservatory’s academic processes and policies while serving as the lead for faculty and the curriculum.  The Associate Dean works collaboratively with faculty, the faculty union, and the Conservatory leadership team to ensure the AFI Conservatory programs are of the highest quality and serves the mission of the Institute. The Associate Dean ensures the highest standard of excellence in film education while overseeing the operations of the Office of the Registrar, and managing accreditation-related matters, to ensure institutional compliance with WASC standards and principles.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Provide administrative leadership in the areas of curriculum development, institutional assessment, and improvements. Lead the Conservatory’s faculty development programs. Ensure the curriculum is dynamically updated based on best practices and accreditation standards. Collaborate with Conservatory leadership, the discipline heads and faculty on all aspects of the academic enterprise, including:

Guide and monitor the assessment of student learning, collaboratively establishing and refining learning outcomes, mapping outcomes to coursework, setting effective assessment methods, collecting, and reviewing the results of assessment of student learning, and incorporating the information into the annual AFI Conservatory strategic plan.  Evaluate the currency and relevance of the overall curriculum based on results of assessment of student learning; analysis of current thinking and practices in film; and current standards in graduate-level higher education.  Manage course content, credit values, sequencing of courses, creating new courses or concentrations, and the updating of this information with all relevant constituencies. Collaborate with the Registrar, Admissions, Fellow Affairs and Production Services teams to integrate academic and production elements of the programs as a means to support student success.

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Fellow Affairs to provide academic support and clear processes for Fellows who are not meeting expectations. Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Fellow Affairs on all matters relating to the Fellow’s calendar as it relates to curriculum and production. Lead faculty engagement and ensure the effectiveness of all faculty and academic committees. Maintain rigorous academic standards and provide faculty support in the areas of attendance, participation, and grading. Ensure that faculty are efficiently and effectively onboarded, lead annual faculty orientations, and provide resources to ensure excellence in teaching by drawing on the latest research in effective pedagogy and the science of learning. Oversee the smooth operation of the Office of the Registrar, including systems around grading, faculty assignments to courses, course assessments, and scheduling. Serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for the AFI Conservatory. Lead institutional research and assessment processes, establishing, monitoring, and evaluating effectiveness of related teams. Serve as academic liaison as needed in the development and delivery of Innovative Programs.

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Master’s degree in a related academic discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum eight years of relevant higher education experience in an academic leadership role, preferably in an arts-related institute or with oversight of arts-related programs. Experience working with film education programs; experience in visual storytelling and/or  film production education highly preferred. Ability to work in a shared governance environment. Knowledgeable in best practices in the recruitment of faculty, co-curricular experience. Experience with WASC standards and practices and the ability to translate and apply these standards to AFI’s graduate-level MFA film program. Strong leadership, planning, time management and multi-tasking skills, coupled with the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. Strong skills in examining and re-engineering operation and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. Exceptionally detail-oriented with the proven ability to handle numerous tasks with appropriate follow-up and reporting activities while not losing sight of the big picture. Can work independently while being an integral member of a high-functioning team. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex concepts and procedures in simple terms. Excellent computer skills with expertise in Microsoft Word and Excel in a Mac environment. Strong analytic and problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively apply these to a diverse set of issues. Possess a positive and professional attitude with the ability to work as a member of a high-energy, results oriented team. Strong diplomacy skills and professionalism are mandatory; this includes the ability to maintain complete confidentiality and discretion at all times. Commitment to and understanding of performing arts education and the creative process, preferably in film. Ability to integrate the values and culture of academe into the education of filmmakers and to support and enhance the “learn by doing” model that characterizes AFI Conservatory’s mission. Ability to work well under pressure. Personal integrity and the ability to inspire confidence and trust.

SUPERVISION:

The Associate Dean, Faculty, Curriculum, and Instruction performs all duties and responsibilities under the guidance and supervision of the Dean, AFI Conservatory. 

Salary Range - $110K - $120K