Program Head of Musical Theater

Organization

For more than 100 years, Pace University (Pace) has been preparing students to become leaders in their fields by providing an education that combines exceptional academics with professional experience and the New York advantage. Pace has campuses in New York City and Westchester County. A private metropolitan university, Pace enrolls nearly 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in the College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Lubin School of Business, School of Education, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. A variety of residential halls are within a five-block radius of the New York campus and five residence halls are at the Westchester Campus. There are also more than 100 student clubs and organizations for students to enjoy.

Founded in 1906, Pace is ranked in the top 9 percent of private United States colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment. Pace transforms the lives of its students academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. Its diverse student population includes first-generation, international, and non-traditional students. Pace’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education and more than 150 majors and programs. Its mission is to provide its undergraduates with a powerful combination of knowledge in the professions, real-world experience, and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum that gives them the skills and habits of mind to realize their full potential.

On October 8, 1974, the School of Arts and Sciences was officially renamed the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences after Pace alumnus and trustee Charles H. Dyson. This name reflects “the fundamental nature of the arts and sciences as being the foundation of all academic and professional programs,” as stated by President Edward J. Mortola. It offers a high-quality liberal arts education combined with preparation for professional achievement to meet immediate career goals as well as prepares students for continuing graduate or professional education.

The Pace School of Performing Arts (PPA) is housed in the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and located on the university’s campus in lower Manhattan. Its Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theater program was established in 2007 and is consistently ranked one of the top 10 musical theater programs in the country.

Position Summary

Pace invites applications for the position of a tenure-track Assistant Professor and Program Head of Musical Theater (PHMT). The successful candidate will teach in their identified discipline and report directly to the Executive Director of PPA. The PHMT will inspire and guide Pace’s musical theater programs into the future. Overseeing the mission, this individual will welcome inclusive environments and provide leadership of all music theater programming, curriculum, and experiences for students at Pace.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Inspire, energize, and lead Pace’s musical theater programs into the future.

• Stay abreast of the evolving and dynamic nature of the musical theater industry.

• Lead Musical Theater curriculum and program review, evaluation, development, and implementation.

• Embrace other strategic vision and leadership opportunities as needed.

Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Build strong networks and partnerships with musical theater education and performance communities, working in tandem with the Executive Director.

• Advocate for musical theater program students and faculty in conjunction with the Executive Director.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director on program fundraising and grant writing.

• Connect with musical theater alumni.

• Embrace other stakeholder engagement and management opportunities as needed.

Program Capacity Building and Resourcing

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of adjunct faculty and staff.

• Select the year’s productions and identify the artistic team for each production.

• Facilitate the Artist-in Residence program and collaborate with other PPA programs.

• Embrace other program capacity building and resourcing opportunities.

Student-Faculty Value and Program Enhancement

• Partner with other division heads and Pace leadership to enhance the student and faculty experience.

• Identify and invest in student value and faculty engagement.

• Assess current and desired student needs and programs with an eye towards improving the overall student experience.

• Collaborate with the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to recruit and evaluate prospective students.

• Manage the retention of students.

• Embrace other student-faculty value and program enhancement opportunities.

Traits and Characteristics

The PHMT will be a compassionate, empathetic, and respectful leader. This individual will be innovative, inspiring, and committed to Pace’s motto of Opportunitas.

Other key competencies include:

• Diplomacy – The dexterity to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues.

• Appreciating Others – The capacity to identify with and care about others.

• Time and Priority Management – The ability to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.

• Leadership and Teamwork – The aptitude to organize and inspire people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction and cooperating with others to meet objectives.

• Resilience – The adeptness to quickly recover from adversity.

• Flexibility – The ability to readily modify, respond, and adapt to change with minimal resistance.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be an established musical theater practitioner and/or scholar with either a master of fine arts or terminal degree in musical theater or theater. Expertise in any of the disciplines of musical theater will be considered, including acting, voice, direction, and/or dance. The ideal candidate will have education and experience in anti-racist teaching, mentoring, instruction, and administration as a color-conscious leader by promoting diversity and equity in education and theater. The PHMT should have demonstrable experience contributing to a climate of inclusivity and working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers a generous benefits package, including a competitive salary.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit artsconsulting.com/employment. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:

Jane V. Hsu

Associate Vice President

Arts Consulting Group

1040 First Avenue, Suite 352

New York, NY 10022

Tel        (888) 234.4236 Ext. 223

Email:   PaceUniversity@ArtsConsulting.com

Pace University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people of all gender identities are encouraged to apply.