Associate Chair, Digital Communications

As an associate chair of digital communications, you will lead a team to fulfill the university's mission, vision, and values. In consultation with the dean, associate dean, chair, and other department members, you will provide input on a strategic direction that coincides with the university's overall strategic plan and implement strategies for building the department's quality. You will foster a shared vision and commitment to a positively oriented environment built on mutual respect, collegiality, and collaboration. You will create a unified team through frequent and effective communication, implement professional responsibilities and expectations outlined in the Faculty Handbook, and support academic excellence. You will also teach classes as assigned, which may include courses in the summer.

In this role, you will ensure faculty regularly reviews the curriculum for quality and currency in adherence to educational outcomes, statements, and accreditations. You will coordinate curriculum development efforts, including collecting student work to showcase program outcomes for accreditation needs, with department leaders, institutional effectiveness staff, and leaders at other SCAD locations. You will oversee the department's academic scheduling in collaboration with academic services and assign course schedules to faculty based on their credentials and experience. You will support recruitment efforts and adhere to university hiring policies and procedures by submitting anticipated headcount needs, reviewing candidates, and recommending hires. You will consult with academic leaders at other university locations on hiring decisions, coordinate teaching and learning resources, and oversee faculty evaluations— including classroom observations, a review of quarterly student evaluations, individual meetings, and a written summary.

In this position, you will be responsible for acting as an ambassador for the department, promoting the university at every opportunity, and managing partnerships with professional and academic organizations and industries. You will lead faculty and staff in showcasing outstanding student work throughout the year, especially during SCAD Days and other high-profile events. You will also recommend strategies to implement new or existing trends into academic programs and services.

As an associate chair, you will collaborate with the admission department to recruit talented students, coordinate graduate student application reviews, and make decisions on student matters, such as course substitutions and exemptions, independent studies, and waivers of prerequisites. You will assist with career and internship opportunities, coordinate the submission of student work to competitions and awards, and prepare various departmental ad hoc reports. You will monitor key departmental data for maximum efficiency, manage the department's budget, and use good judgment to resolve faculty and/or student issues.

The successful candidate should be committed to academic excellence in all matters, have the knowledge to define department needs, and understand curriculum developments and assessments to improve student learning. The candidate must demonstrate strong leadership abilities to transform strategic visions into measurable actions. They must be willing to collaborate with various people to create opportunities for students and be dedicated to personal and professional integrity.

The candidate should have excellent organizational, communication, and budgetary management skills. Outstanding problem-solving, report drafting, and academic scheduling skills are also required. They should demonstrate attention to detail, an exceptional work ethic, and respect for deadlines. They should also have evidence of success in creative and collaborative endeavors and an innovative, energetic, and model approach to leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:   

• Terminal degree (or equivalent) in the discipline or a relevant field
• Leadership and supervisory experience in academics or significant professional experience in an appropriate discipline
• Distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and/or professional expertise
• Successful career as a faculty member and/or discipline professional

Travel Required:  

•  Less than 10%  

Work Hours: As noted in the Employment Agreement.  

ADA Tag: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and minimum qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and/or meet the minimum qualifications.