Director and Professor, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies - Florida Atlantic University

Apply now to join FAU on its race to excellence.




For more information on everything FAU has to offer, please visit www.fau.edu/jobs.




Note: Current FAU employees must apply as an internal applicant by logging into their existing Workday employee account.






Position Summary:


The Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University seeks an experienced, innovative, and visionary leader to serve as Director of the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies (SCMS).




The School of Communication and Multimedia Studies at Florida Atlantic University seeks scholars who are committed to supporting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and to thoughtfully engaging all communities in higher education. Florida Atlantic University embodies a culture of strategic and collaborative community engagement that results in mutual benefit to the institution and the various internal and external communities that it serves.




About the School


The Director will lead a dynamic school that offers:



+ Three in-person undergraduate degree programs: Communication Studies, Film & Media, and Multimedia Journalism.


+ An online undergraduate degree program in Communication Studies.


+ Several certificates and minors including Film & Video, Political Communication, Public Relations, and Sport Studies.


+ An MA in Communication and Media with potential to add new programs.


+ Programs across three campuses: Boca Raton, Davie, and Fort Lauderdale.


+ Participation in the interdisciplinary PhD program in the College of Arts and Letters.


+ Faculty with specializations in communication theory and research; film and media studies; film and digital production, with emphases on independent film and media, documentary film, experimental film and media, expanded cinema, activist media, world cinema, digital cultures, interactive and web-based media, virtual production and media, 2D and 3D animation, video games, and artificial intelligence; journalism with emphases on local news and environmental reporting, political communication and public opinion research; strategic communication; health communication; and rhetorical studies with critical and cultural approaches. Faculty blend academic rigor with practical experience to emphasize civic engagement.





The Director will oversee and strengthen communication and media facilities including:



+ Academic movie theater facilities


+ BrandStar Studios@Florida Atlantic


+ The Media, Innovation, and Creativity Sandbox (MICS, in progress)


+ The Speaking Center


+ MediaLab@FAU, a faculty-led community news initiative with legacy media partnerships


+ Labs for Pol-Com, Media Production, and Broadcast





Further information about the School can be found at: www.fau.edu/scms.




About the Position


This is an exciting opportunity to shape the School's vision and strategic plan as FAU transitions to R1 status in 2025.




The Director will play a pivotal role in:



+ Elevating the School's national prominence through innovative research, creative activities, and grant-seeking excellence,


+ Strengthening alumni and industry connections to create robust partnerships and mentorship opportunities.


+ Implementing creative fundraising strategies to bolster resources for cutting-edge programs and research.


+ Nurturing a talented community of faculty and students, fostering academic excellence and professional growth.


+ Developing forward-thinking programs that address the evolving needs of South Florida's dynamic metropolitan landscape.





Key responsibilities include:



+ Managing 35 full-time faculty, 5 staff members, and 20-25 adjuncts in a school that serves 1500 students.


+ Cultivating partnerships with regional media and communication entities.


+ Driving fundraising efforts and managing resources across multiple campuses.


+ Enhancing internal and external communications.


+ Collaborating with college and university leadership as part of the Dean's leadership team.


+ Collaborating with other College and University units.


+ Overseeing faculty mentorship, development, and ongoing program assessment.


+ Leading enrollment strategies and program renewal initiatives.


+ Conducting ongoing program assessment and renewal.


+ Experiential student learning experiences including industry exploration and internships.







Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in field

• Evidence of excellence in research and teaching appropriate for appointment as a tenured Full Professor in the department


Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant leadership experience and a record of success

• Commitment to fundraising and creating strategic alliances with industry and artistic communities

• Exceptional communication skills

• Awareness of current trends in communication, media, industry and higher education.





Salary:

Commensurate with Experience





College or Department:

School of Communication and Multimedia Studies





Location:

Boca Raton





Work Days and Hours:

N/A





Application Deadline:

2025-01-31





Special Instructions to Applicant:

This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.


This position is subject to funding.


All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website (https://fau.edu/jobs) by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.


Required Documents:

FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.


PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.


The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. When completing the online application, please upload the following: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) writing sample (one article, book chapter, or dissertation chapter).


Letters of Recommendations: Applicants who are shortlisted for this position will be required to arrange for the submission of two letters of recommendation.


Transcripts:

The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.


Background Screening:

Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.


As a Hispanic-serving institution, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse institutions in the Florida state university system. We are committed to recruiting and retaining talented faculty and staff. We embrace our shared responsibility to create and celebrate a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all. Our community features excellent schools, a vibrant and safe community, and a sub-tropical climate conductive to year-round outdoor activities.


Accommodations:

Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711


Florida Atlantic University is where your future begins.




With over 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 180 countries, 21 intercollegiate teams, 180 plus degree programs, and an administration that thrives on discovery and excellence, Florida Atlantic University is pushing the boundaries of higher education. At FAU, the faculty and staff are trailblazers and innovators with a passion for finding creative solutions while advancing science, art and technology in all disciplines. Student success, excellence and community engagement are some of our highest values as a university. These values are prominent throughout FAU's community and are essential to the employee experience. FAU is committed to the principles of engaged teaching, research and service, and reflects this commitment as a key Platform in its 2015 - 2025 Strategic Plan. Our work environment is a hub of cultures from across the nation and the world, making FAU a place where collaboration flourishes. All persons aspiring to achieve excellence in the practice of these principles are encouraged to apply.




To learn more about the vision and mission of FAU, please visit: www.fau.edu




In order to be considered for a position, you must apply through this job website. For more information on how to apply for a position, please review the applicable Applicant Tutorial (http://fau.edu/jobs/applicant-resources/) . To contact Recruitment Services, send an e-mail to jobs@fau.edu.




Florida Atlantic University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action/equal access institution and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.




Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance, call 7-1-1.




Clery Act Information (https://www.fau.edu/police/clery.php)




Florida Statute 1010.35 - Screening Foreign Researchers


Pursuant to Florida law, any applicant or student seeking employment in a research or research-related support position who is a citizen of a foreign country and not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of employment or training in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, or Syria is subject to additional screening. Applicants meeting those criteria will be required to provide the following information before any offer of employment can be made: every institution of higher education attended; all previous employment since the applicant’s 18th birthday; list of all published material, current and pending research funding from any source, including details about the research, your role, funding source, and amount; list and description of any non-university professional activities; any affiliation with an institution or program in a foreign country. Selected applicants will be required to provide additional information per the Statute, including a complete copy of your passport; and, if available, the most recently submitted DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application).

Florida Atlantic University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action/equal access institution and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance, call 7-1-1.