Director & Head of the Department of Art

Job Title

Director & Head of the Department of Art

Agency

East Texas A&M University

Department

Dean - CHSSA

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Commerce, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT :

During the application process the “My Experience ” page has a section provided “ Attachments (Resume/CV, References, Cover letter, etc.) ” to upload required documents.

• •Use the Upload button to add each document.
• •You will be able to upload up to 5 documents. Be aware that the maximum size allowed for any one document is 5MB.
• •All documents must be electronically submitted through the Texas A&M Online Employment Services website to be considered.
• •Incomplete or improperly submitted applications may be excluded from consideration.
• •Please do not withdraw your application in an attempt to upload a missing document, instead please email HR for help.

Please provide the following documents :

• •Cover Letter
• •Resume/CV
• •Three professional references with complete contact information (Unsolicited letters of recommendation will not be considered).
• •Transcripts (Unofficial will be accepted with application. Official transcripts are required upon acceptance of verbal offer).
• If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective faculty member to have the transcripts translated and evaluated by an approved credential evaluator.

If you need assistance, please contact us at HR.Hiring@etamu.edu

SUMMARY:

East Texas A&M University invites nominations and applications for the position of Director and Head of the Department of Art. This twelve-month, full-time administrative appointment carries senior faculty rank with tenure. Teaching expectations will be negotiated annually with the Dean. The successful candidate will provide strategic direction and administrative leadership for a comprehensive and dynamic department, guiding its next phase by assessing program strengths and opportunities, establishing clear priorities, strengthening alignment across the Commerce and Dallas locations, supporting faculty and student success, and building key regional partnerships. The Director and Head will identify opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation while ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence, institutional priorities, and long-term viability.

East Texas A&M University seeks a strategic and experienced academic administrator to serve as Director and Head of the Department of Art, which encompasses Visual Communication (Dallas-based), Studio Art (Commerce-based), and Art Education. The department has strong foundations, including a nationally competitive professional design program, excellent facilities, dedicated faculty, and accomplished alumni, and is positioned for a leader who can unify programs across locations, assess future opportunities, and develop a shared vision for the department’s continued success.

The department is ready to welcome a forward-thinking leader who will build on these strengths and take full-time responsibility for its academic, administrative, operational, and external-facing work. Supported by the institution’s commitment to the arts, the next Director and Head will shape a unifying vision that strengthens academic programs, fosters meaningful connections across campuses, and enhances the department’s impact throughout the region and beyond.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director and Head will serve as the Department of Art’s senior academic and administrative leader, with year-round responsibility for strategic direction, operations, academic programs, personnel, facilities, enrollment, and external engagement. The Director and Head is expected to devote full professional effort to leadership of the department across its Commerce and Dallas locations. The role combines inward-facing responsibilities, including strengthening programs, faculty initiatives, and student success, with outward-facing responsibilities, including partnerships, regional presence, advancement, and visibility. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

· Conduct a comprehensive assessment of departmental programs during the initial years of leadership, with particular attention to enrollment trends, student outcomes, regional demand, resource utilization, and long-term sustainability.

· Develop and execute a strategic plan that strengthens the department’s distinctive regional role by emphasizing community partnerships, clear academic pathways, and effective leadership.

· Align departmental strengths with institutional mission and market opportunities.

· Make evidence-informed recommendations regarding program enhancement, restructuring, consolidation, or other actions necessary to support long-term success.

· Identify opportunities for program innovation and strategic growth based on assessment findings, faculty expertise, student needs, and institutional priorities.

· Position art teacher preparation as a valued pathway alongside professional design and studio practice, with strategic recruitment and curriculum enhancement to serve regional workforce needs.

· Lead the department across its two active sites, the Commerce campus and the Dallas location, exercising full year-round executive responsibility for faculty, curriculum, facilities, budget, and operations at both locations.

· Lead curriculum development and program assessment in alignment with university standards and professional expectations.

Program Integration & Faculty Leadership

· Ensure program continuity by developing strong leadership capacity within the department and cultivating a collaborative departmental community across both sites, Commerce and Dallas, through a culture of shared responsibility, transparency, and continuous improvement.

· Support faculty productivity, professional development, and scholarly and creative activity across all program areas, including exhibitions, publications, and professional practice.

· Manage faculty across disciplines, including design professionals, studio artists, and art educators, with respect for the unique expectations and benchmarks associated with each field.

· Lead faculty through necessary programmatic changes with transparency.

· Build consensus around strategic priorities while providing clear, timely decisions.

· Ensure academic quality and program innovation at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

· Oversee faculty hiring, evaluation, promotion, and tenure processes in alignment with university policies.

Partnership & External Relations

· Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with regional educational, cultural, industry, and community organizations that advance student opportunities, departmental visibility, and institutional priorities.

· Build and maintain relationships with public and private K-12 school districts across East Texas for teacher preparation, professional development partnerships, and community engagement.

· Cultivate relationships with DFW arts organizations, design firms, galleries, and cultural institutions to enhance student opportunities and program visibility.

· Position the department as a regional cultural leader through exhibitions, community projects, public art, and partnerships that serve East Texas communities.

· Activate and expand the alumni network across all program areas, including Visual Communication, Studio Art, and Art Education, for mentorship, career connections, and advancement support.

· Enhance departmental visibility and reputation through strategic communications, exhibitions, awards, and media engagement.

· Pursue external funding opportunities through grants and donor cultivation.

Financial & Operational Management

· Manage the department budget strategically, allocating resources to align with departmental priorities.

· Make data-informed decisions about resourc