Dean, Conservatory for the Performing Arts

The Dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts provides visionary strategic and collaborative leadership for one of Stephens Colleges signature academic divisions. The Dean oversees all Conservatory programsincluding theatre dance musical theatre acting technical theatre filmmaking and related performing arts disciplinesand leads faculty staff and students in advancing artistic excellence academic rigor and national visibility. This senior academic leader reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Team.

Primary Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Oversee all Conservatory academic programs including curriculum scheduling assessment and program review.
• Ensure alignment with institutional policies accreditation requirements and learning outcomes.
• Support development of new courses certificates or programs that reflect industry needs.

Faculty and Staff Management

• Supervise evaluate and support full-time and adjunct faculty and Conservatory staff.
• Oversee faculty workload hiring recommendations onboarding and professional development.
• Foster a culture of respect collaboration professionalism and student-centered learning.

Production and Operations Oversight

• Provide leadership for the annual production season ensuring educational quality safety and fiscal responsibility.
• Work closely with production leadership and technical staff to manage calendars facilities equipment and resources.
• Support guest artists partnerships and special projects that enhance training experiences.

Student Success

• Promote a learning environment that emphasizes discipline wellness inclusivity and professional readiness.
• Support student advising mentoring and pathways to internships showcases and career opportunities.
• Maintain visibility at performances rehearsals and Conservatory events.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage academic and production budgets in collaboration with Finance and Academic Affairs.
• Allocate resources responsibly and transparently.
• Assist in fundraising grants donor engagement and Conservatory visibility efforts.

Recruitment and External Relations

• Partner with Admissions and Marketing to support recruitment auditions outreach and yield activities.
• Represent the Conservatory to alumni industry partners schools and professional organizations.
• Build relationships that strengthen employment transfer and networking opportunities for students.

Institutional Participation

• Serve on committees contribute to institutional planning and collaborate with other academic units.
• Uphold College policies strategic priorities and compliance expectations.
• Communicate regularly with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree in a performing arts discipline or related field (terminal degree preferred).
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education or professional performing arts.
• Experience with faculty supervision academic/program administration or production management.
• Evidence of teaching or professional creative practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with recruitment enrollment growth or student retention in arts programs.
• Experience managing complex production schedules budgets or facilities.
• Professional network within theatre dance musical theatre or related performing arts fields.

Key Competencies

• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead collaboratively and make informed timely decisions.
• Commitment to diversity equity inclusion and student development.
• Professionalism discretion and high ethical standards.

Founded in 1833 Stephens College is the second-oldest womens college in the United States dedicated to providing innovative experiential and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia Missouri Stephens College continues to be a leader in womens education fostering a community where students are empowered to lead innovate and excel. The college also provides flexible co-educational masters degrees and certificates for working professionals and is home to the co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College.

Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America Columbia Missouri is home to 36000 college students and 118000 residents. Columbia conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis has it all: big-time college sports film music and arts festivals a high-energy arts community amazing recreation and a great downtown with lots of places to eat shop snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Childrens School).

Stephens offers an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance an Employee Assistance Program Supplemental Retirement Annuity Faculty/Staff Grants tuition waivers and tuition paid undergraduate classes for dependents.

Be a part of this amazing community of innovative thinkers doers and dreamers.

Stephens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and employ qualified personnel without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age disability or status as a veteran.