Associate Dean, College of Visual & Performing Arts

James Madison University (JMU) is seeking an innovative and dynamic leader for the position of Associate Dean within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). This 12-month, tenured appointment, beginning July 1, 2026, at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vibrant academic and artistic environment. We seek a candidate who is passionate about fostering creative and scholarly excellence through strategic leadership and data-driven decision making.

At the CVPA, you’ll join a community committed to artistic integrity, scholarly inquiry, and creative research. You’ll be part of a college that honors the full spectrum of human experience, and by embracing many perspectives and traditions, we ensure the arts and design remain vital, relevant, and a true reflection of the world we share. The college is dedicated to supporting faculty, staff, and students as they make meaningful contributions to the arts and design landscape both locally and globally.

About the Role
The Associate Dean will play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the CVPA, ensuring a stimulating blend of innovation, and academic rigor. They will work collaboratively with the Dean, faculty, and staff to promote the goals of the college and the university. The successful candidate will have experience in data-driven decision-making and a commitment to academic excellence through work that is transformational, sustainable, and responsive.

College Overview
The CVPA encompasses the Schools of Art, Design and Art History; Music; Theatre and Dance; as well as the Office of Creative Propulsion (OCP) and the Madison Art Collection and Museum. With over 200 full-time faculty/staff and 1,300 students, the CVPA is vibrant, collaborative and dedicated to artistic and academic excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:      

• Strategic Leadership: Oversee the implementation of the college’s strategic plan with its intersecting administrative and budgetary responsibilities. Represent the college at university-level events and external engagements.
• Artistic Research and Creativity: Champion artistic inquiry by enhancing research initiatives that merge analytical insights with creative pursuits. Oversee faculty development programs that enhance artistic, design, and academic excellence. Facilitate collaboration with JMU’s Division of Research Economic Development and Innovation (REDI). Cultivate an environment where faculty contributions are recognized, supported, and celebrated.
• Data Driven Decision-making: Create and lead the college’s new initiative focusing on utilizing data analysis and creating data-driven accountability. Gather and analyze data relevant to college needs and goals. Report data to inform college decisions and serve as a liaison to provost’s office to support strategic enrollment management.
• Student Engagement and Success: Lead student support systems focused on academic achievement and artistic growth. Oversee professional development opportunities for students, both within the college and through external partnerships. Encourage student exploration of arts administration and arts entrepreneurship through internships and related activities.
• Community Engagement: Support collaboration between the university and the broader community by creating opportunities for engagement, highlighting the role of the arts in community well-being, education, and economic development.

 
Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Experience: At least three years of administrative experience in an academic setting with a demonstrated track record of successful leadership and management in the arts.
• Skills: Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data (including but not limited to enrollments, student information system queries, credit hour production, data visualization, faculty workload, predictive modeling, quantitative and qualitative methodologies, experience with national data sets, etc.), with strong leadership and team management skills.
• Specialization: Expertise in either visual or performing arts or design, with a deep understanding of current trends and challenges in these fields.
• Education: Advanced degree and qualifications to be appointed to the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure within one of the CVPA disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Leadership Style: Collaborative and transformational leadership, with experience fostering innovation among a creative faculty and student body.
• Academic Administration: Experience serving as a unit leader or department head in a strategic leadership role.
• Community Engagement: Demonstrated experience building partnerships within and beyond the university to enhance the artistic and scholarly community.

To learn more and to apply, go to jobs.jmu.edu/home and reference posting number 20001532. Review of applications begins 11/3/2025. Pay is commensurate with experience.

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.