Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts

POSITION TITLE: Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts

COMPENSATION RANGE: 170,000.00 - 195,000.00 USD per year

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Professional Administrative

DEPARTMENT: Dean Col Perf & Vis Arts Office

TARGET HIRE DATE: 7/1/2027

BENEFITS: UNC’s Career Hub

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

Position Summary:

The Dean of the College of Performing & Visual Arts is the chief academic and administrative leader of the College which includes the Schools of Art and Design, Music, and Theatre Arts and Dance. The Dean is a key member of the University’s academic leadership team and is responsible for advancing the academic quality, creative excellence, student success, financial sustainability, and external impact of the College.

This is a pivotal leadership role at a consequential moment for the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). As UNC considers how it will distinguish itself and serve Colorado and the region in the future, the performing and visual arts represent an area of significant institutional strength, visibility, and opportunity. The Dean will not only lead the College but will shape what the arts can become and how they contribute to the University’s evolving identity, educational mission, and public impact. The Dean will provide strategic and entrepreneurial leadership; align programs and resources with areas of strength and opportunity; cultivate a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, and shared governance; and expand the College’s reach through partnerships, philanthropy, community engagement, and innovative educational and artistic opportunities.

Job Duties:

Strategic Leadership & College Transformation – 20%

Lead the College in defining and advancing its distinctive academic and artistic identity and its role in UNC’s future. Develop and execute a forward-looking strategy that identifies areas for investment, growth, redesign, partnership, and, when appropriate, consolidation or discontinuation. Advocate for the unique academic, artistic, production, facilities, and accreditation needs of the disciplines of the College. Foster innovation across disciplines and encourage new models of education, creative practice, performance, exhibition, and engagement. Work collaboratively with School Directors, faculty, staff, students, other deans, and University leadership to translate institutional priorities into a focused strategy for the College and to position the College as a distinctive area of strength for UNC.

Academic Portfolio, Student Success & Enrollment – 20%

Ensure academic quality and appropriate accreditation while continually evaluating the College’s academic portfolio in relation to student demand, enrollment, student outcomes, professional and workforce opportunities, institutional mission, cost, and capacity. Lead strategies to recruit, retain, and graduate students in collaboration with College enrollment staff, School Directors, faculty, and central enrollment offices. Support curricular innovation and develop educational opportunities responsive to emerging learners, professions, and markets while maintaining the artistic and scholarly standards of the disciplines. Coordinate the mission and goals of the University, College, and Schools with the requirements of pertinent professional accrediting bodies (NAST, NASM) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Resource Stewardship & Organizational Effectiveness—15%

Strategically allocate faculty, staff, budget, space, facilities, and other resources to advance College and University priorities. Use evidence and data to inform decisions regarding academic capacity, faculty workload, staffing, program sustainability, and investment. Develop organizational structures and operating practices that enable the College to use its resources effectively and sustainably. Represent College resource needs to central administration and oversee budget development, equipment, technology, and other major resource requests.

Faculty, Staff & Organizational Leadership—15%

Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain excellent faculty and staff; cultivate strong academic leadership within the College; and support faculty achievement, scholarship, creative activity, teaching, and professional development. Carry out personnel responsibilities, including annual and comprehensive evaluation, promotion and tenure, workload oversight, and disciplinary actions, in accordance with university policy. Build a culture capable of navigating change while maintaining academic excellence and meaningful shared governance.

External Engagement, Partnerships & Advancement – 20%

Position the College as a major cultural and creative presence for UNC, northern Colorado, and the region. Build and sustain relationships with alumni, donors, patrons, schools, arts organizations, community partners, businesses, foundations, and other external constituencies. Partner with University Advancement and other offices to expand philanthropic support, grants, sponsorships, earned revenue, and other external resources. Expand the reach and impact of the College through performances, exhibitions, community programming, professional and continuing education, partnerships, and other opportunities that connect UNC’s artistic and creative expertise with learners and audiences beyond traditional degree programs. There is an expectation that the Dean will attend concerts, theatrical productions, and gallery events, many of which take place on evenings and weekends.

University Leadership & Collaboration – 10%

Serve as an institutional leader whose responsibilities extend beyond the College. Collaborate with other deans and University leaders to advance UNC’s broader academic strategy and institutional effectiveness, including opportunities that connect the arts with education, health and well-being, research and creative activity, community engagement, and emerging interdisciplinary areas. Participate actively in University planning, shared governance, and leadership initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A completed terminal degree in a field represented within, or closely related to, the disciplines of the college (i.e., Arts, Dance, Music, Theatre).
• A record of teaching, scholarship, creative/professional achievement, and service sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Professor at UNC (at least seven years of successful academic performance and substantial evidence documenting outstanding professional performance).
• Progressively responsible academic leadership experience appropriate to the scope of a college dean, such as service as dean, associate or assistant dean, school director, department chair, or comparable leadership role.
• Evidence of leadership in several of the following areas: organizational change; academic portfolio development and review; enrollment strategy and student success; financial and resource stewardship; external partnerships; philanthropy or advancement; interdisciplinary collaboration; and development of new or innovative educational, artistic, or revenue-generating opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading within a shared governance, complex higher education budget environment.
• Demonstrated experience with effective enrollment management.
• Demonstrated experience managing change, innovation, and making difficult decisions in a collaborative and inclusive manner.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with stakeholders and colleagues across a broad range of groups, backgrounds, and positions.
• Demonstrated experience in working closely with faculty within and across a college in developing innovative academic programs.
• Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data and the ability to use these data in a collaborative decision-making process.
• Ability to solve problems creatively while working to build consensus that effectively moves the college forward. A high degree of creativity and mature intellectual judgment, as well as a high level of empathy and diplomacy in working with stakeholders within the institution and in the community.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Benefits:

Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses ofUNCEmployees who are employed at 0.5FTEor above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in‑state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC

The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 andcontinues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognizedas a top university for socialmobility,UNC isproud tobeaHispanicServing Institutionandto serve more than44%ofourundergraduateswhoarethefirst in theirfamily to attend college. UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub, to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

EEO Statement

The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and workingenvironment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNCcommunity. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin,religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, geneticinformation, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based ongender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who opposea discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for,assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating todiscrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not beconsidered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is theresponsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’scompliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations

The University of Northern Colorado is committedto providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If yourequire reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewingor otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please directyour inquiries to View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

Background Check

Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment hasbeen made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire. This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act

In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.

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