Head, School of Music
- Employer
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Salary
- Competitive Salary
- Date posted
- Aug 14, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
- Position Type
- Faculty Positions, Music, Performing Arts, Administrative, Academic Affairs, Arts Administration, Deans, Executive
- Employment Type
- Full Time
Job Details
Carnegie Mellon University seeks an imaginative advocate, a generous collaborator, and a proactive communicator as the next Head of the School of Music.
The School of Music is one of five schools in the College of Fine Arts and currently comprises 90 faculty (17 tenure-track, 23 teaching track or special faculty, and 50 adjunct; 20 of the 90 are members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), and 13 full-time staff. 201 of our students are undergraduates (of whom 56 are pursuing BXA intercollege degrees), and 129 are graduate students. Our community also includes alumni, supporters, audience members, our students’ families, Pittsburgh residents, industry leaders, and our peer institutions.
The School of Music offers the BFA in Performance, Composition, and Electronic Music and the MM in Performance, Composition, and Music Education. Cooperative degrees include the BS and MS in Music and Technology, the BXA Intercollege Programs (combining the strengths of CFA with computer science, engineering, humanities, or science), Related programs include Master of Arts Management, and the Master of Entertainment Industry Management. For more information about the School of Music, please visit: https://www.cmu.edu/cfa/music .
Reporting to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, the Head plays a visible and important role internally and externally, focused on providing the School’s students with maximum opportunities to fulfill their potential as artists, thinkers, and citizens.
The Head will articulate a compelling vision of music’s role in society and will help our students explore the riotous diversity of potential careers in music. They will foster an environment of growth, challenge, support, curiosity, and exploration. The Head will be an articulate proponent of CMU’s excellence across science, technology, and the arts to further strengthen the position of the School and the College.
The Head of the School of Music is the key steward of the School’s artistic mission, leading its faculty and staff to set strategy for the School. The Head also serves as the primary fundraiser, partnering with the Dean in this regard.
This is a unique administrative role with fiduciary and administrative obligations, as well as primary responsibility for faculty leadership. The next Head of the School will be an active member of a strong leadership team within the College of Fine Arts and will mentor a faculty, staff, and student body of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
The Head will possess vision, passion, innovation, and execution skills, the ability to engage with multiple stakeholder groups, and a record of operational excellence. The Head will possess achievements as a performer, creator, producer, or scholar of music sufficient—when combined with the leadership record—for appointment at the level of full professor with tenure in the School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University.
Initial screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Carnegie Mellon will be assisted by Jackie Zavitz, Meghan Ashbrock, and Sulli Cressler of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc.
Nominations and applications should be directed to: CMUHeadofMusic@heidrick.com
Qualifications
- A big- picture thinker with a clear vision of music’s capacity
to impact the world in positive ways, and a track record of inspir
ing others to mobilize behind a collective purpose. Demonstrated
executive leadership skills, including vision, execution, strategic
planning, community building, and systems thinking. Ability to
design and implement major initiatives in collaboration with other
stakeholders to support community-wide success. A record of
strengthening the whole organization through inspired recruitment,
development, and advancement of outstanding colleagues.
- Possesses excellent communication skills and the ability to
interact and connect with multiple stakeholder groups, including
faculty, staff, students, University leadership, industry leaders,
and alumni. A cultivator of strong relationships and a demonstrated
aptitude for leading fundraising efforts to secure financial
support for strategic initiatives.
- A record of progressive, collaborative, and thoughtful
leadership, with a demonstrated appreciation for the nuances of
guiding an academic enterprise. Evidence of outstanding financial
and operational management as well as an ability to delegate while
articulating clear direction and expectations. Strong people
management skills, and the ability to recruit, retain, and develop
a diverse and talented team who uphold a culture of trust and
accountability.
- Achievements as a performer, creator, producer, or scholar of
music sufficient — when combined with the leadership record — for
appointment at the level of full professor with tenure in the
School of Music at Carnegie Mellon University. A terminal degree in
music or demonstrated artistic equivalent is required.
- A demonstrated record of strengthening diversity, equity,
inclusion, and access, including the implementation of pragmatic
steps needed to remove structural barriers. High levels of courage,
emotional intelligence, integrity, and good judgment. A graceful
blend of humor and humility.
- A student-centered approach that engages, supports, challenges,
and listens. Dedication to enhancing their experience and ensuring
their success.
- Engagement in the international conversation about the present
and future of music schools, and a commitment to bringing CMU
actively into that conversation.
Carnegie Mellon University has retained Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. for assistance in this exciting search.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited.
Applications should include a cover letter/letter of interest, CV or resume.
Applications received by September 15 will receive priority consideration.
Nominations and applications should be directed to: CMUHeadofMusic@heidrick.com
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Carnegie Mellon University shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
Company
Carnegie Mellon University challenges the curious and passionate to imagine and deliver work that matters.
A private, global research university, Carnegie Mellon stands among the world's most renowned educational institutions, and sets its own course.
Carnegie Mellon was founded in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie under the premise that a school established to foster and develop the technical skills of its students would soon produce students and graduates whose work would astound Pittsburgh and the world. Over 120 years later, our institution continues to produce talented alumni and draws faculty and staff eager to be a part of the university's creative, passionate and close-knit community. We place emphasis on practical problem solving, interdisciplinary learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, and collaboration.
Over the past 10 years, more than 400 startups linked to CMU have raised more than $7 billion in follow-on funding. Those investment numbers are especially high because of the sheer size of Pittsburgh’s growing autonomous vehicles cluster – including Uber, Aurora, Waymo and Motional – all of which are here because of their strong ties to CMU.
With cutting-edge brain science, path-breaking performances, innovative startups, driverless cars, big data, big ambitions, Nobel and Turing prizes, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn't imagine the future, we create it.
Pittsburgh is home to over 86,000 students from 10 colleges and universities. Pittsburgh was ranked as one of the top U.S. cities for millennials.
Some 177,000 people work in Pittsburgh's tech-related industries, and their ranks continue to grow as the city tops lists for jobs. Networking opportunities, small business accelerators, and an innovative community make the city appealing to entrepreneurs, especially recent graduates.
Pittsburgh is emerging as a tech and culture hub that The Washington Post praises for its "world-class art museums and colorful neighborhoods."
Robotics and software engineering lead the way. The city is home to Google, Uber and Apple offices and a budding ecosystem of tech startups including Duolingo, Modcloth and 4Moms, all of which have CMU roots.
Many seek Pittsburgh for being a hot spot for entrepreneurship and a model for future cities. Others come for the city's burgeoning food scene.
You’ll find CMU locations nationwide — and worldwide. Silicon Valley. Qatar. Africa. Washington, D.C. To name a few.
If your heart is in your work, come work with us.
Carnegie Mellon University isn't just one of the world’s most renowned educational institutions — it’s also a hotspot for some of the most talented doers, dreamers and difference-makers on the planet. When you join our staff, you’ll become an important part of our mission to create a healthier, safer and more just life for all. No matter what your role or location, you’ll connect and collaborate with dedicated, passionate colleagues — and you’ll have the satisfaction of delivering work that truly matters.
Carnegie Mellon University offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits to help you live well. Benefit eligibility varies based on the hours per week employees are scheduled to work and the employee's geographic location
We seek to cultivate diverse populations and perspectives and promote equity and inclusion. Our devotion to these ideals springs from a core belief in the power of education to be a transformative and enriching force for every person, irrespective of their background, identity or life circumstances.
Inclusion and belonging are intricately interwoven into the very essence of our university, helping to shape our values, policies and practices. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are not only central to our ethos but also indispensable to our pursuit of academic excellence and innovation.
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