Entertainment Design Department Head

Beginning August 2023
 
Entertainment Design Department Head
 
Full-Time Faculty Appointment with Benefits
 
(Job Summary/Basic Function)
Ringling College of Art and Design is seeking an experienced faculty member to provide leadership of the Entertainment Design degree program.
 
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished scholar practitioner with successful college level teaching experience, industry accomplishments, and a passionate vision for excellence. As one of Ringling College’s newest programs, opportunities exist to envision, develop and implement refinements to the program; help guide the future growth; collaborate within an innovative college that is a leader in experiential design; and to more fully integrate the Entertainment Design program into the dynamic Ringling College Community.
 
Among the Duties and Responsibilities of this position:  teach and provide leadership in the ongoing development of the Entertainment Design program, including areas of pedagogy, admission standards, enrollment strategies, faculty recruitment, new facility planning and connections to both the art and design programs at Ringling College, and the Entertainment Design industry. This is a full time, 10-month faculty appointment with a reduced teaching load during the academic year. The salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications. The anticipated start date is August, 2023.
 
Institution
Founded in 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design is a private professional college fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Ringling College of Art and Design’s primary mission is to prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design and to provide an intensive professional education in the visual arts. Ringling College has taken a leadership role in the integration of high technology within art and design curricula in response to the marketplace and trends in the professions. The institution’s strategic plan positions the College for continued growth and development. It is authorized to award the BFA in eleven majors and the BA in both Business of Art and Design and Visual Studies. Ringling College employs approximately 185 faculty who teach over 1,675 students from 44 states and 60 countries. The large residential campus is near downtown Sarasota. A cultural center of Florida, Sarasota is 65 miles south of Tampa and 75 miles north of Fort Myers. Additional information about the College is available at www.ringling.edu.
 
Entertainment Design Program
Entertainment Design began 4 years ago as a new BFA major at Ringling College, and has grown to over 50 majors as of the Fall 2022 semester. Anticipated growth is over 100 majors within the next five years.
 
The new undergraduate program in Entertainment Design has been initiated as part of a substantial expansion of Ringling College’s academic vision. Entertainment Design is the art of creating compelling and engaging experiences for entertainment. Focusing on themed environments, the curriculum addresses industry standards and skills related to a narrative-driven built environment. Courses focus on building a knowledge of three-dimensional spatial relationships, material properties, fabrication techniques, wayfinding, and developing digital visualization and communication techniques. Students’ artistic and technical skills are applied to project designs for theme park design, museums, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, expos, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces and more for an industry expanding worldwide. Ringling College is a member of the industry’s major organization, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), which is a network of the world’s leading creators, developers, and producers of compelling places and experiences.
 
Duties and Responsibilities of Department Heads and Program Directors
Department Heads and Program Directors have important roles within the Ringling College. The roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
    •    Leadership within the department and Ringling College
    •    Effective and efficient administration of their department or program
    •    Initiative in curriculum and/or program development and planning
    •    Performance evaluation of all full-time and part-time faculty in the department
    •    Guidance to faculty with respect to their teaching performance as well as their professional development
    •    Facilitation of the physical and material needs of the department
 
(Minimum Qualifications) Include evidence of:
    •    A Master’s degree in Design, or a related field, OR a 4-year professional degree in art or design and equivalent professional experience, training and expertise with appropriate record of achievement in the field.
    •    Experience in CAD drawing, 3D modeling and 3D prototyping.
    •    An ability to clearly communicate and work effectively with faculty, students and administrators
    •    Willingness to work in a collaborative educational environment
 
(Preferred Qualifications) Include evidence of:
    •    A terminal degree in an appropriate discipline.
    •    Five years of professional or higher education team leadership.
 
(Special Instructions to Applicants)
Required materials include cover letter incorporating experiences that address the position requirements; teaching and administrative philosophy with thoughts on effective leadership that includes advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion; resume or CV with employment and education history; contact information of three references (names, titles, email, and telephone numbers); examples of recent personal work; and an unofficial transcript copy of the most relevant degree. Student work examples may also be submitted. Candidates may be asked to submit additional materials if needed. Official transcripts will be required upon hire. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
 
For portfolio, you have the option to upload electronic documents/images, up to 5 MB or via URL access.
 
General questions regarding the job application process may be emailed to vpaa@ringling.edu.
 
Apply on-line https://ringling.simplehire.com
 
Ringling College of Art and Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer