Chair of Sound Design

As the chair of sound design, you will lead a faculty of experienced sound professionals, whose contributions include credits on major films and TV shows like Reservoir Dogs, Die Hard, Two and a Half Men, Futurama, Ocean's Eleven, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Your team will fulfill the university's mission and develop a strategic plan that aligns with its overall strategy to enhance the quality of the sound design department. You will promote a shared vision among faculty, foster a respectful and collaborative environment, and build a cohesive team through regular communication. Responsibilities include academic schedule oversight, teaching resources coordination, and the completion of annual faculty performance evaluations.

In this role, you will implement teaching expectations from the Faculty Handbook, exercise sound judgment, and consult relevant parties to provide steadfast support to the department in all accreditation matters. You will drive academic excellence, emphasize quality instruction and student achievement, and collaborate with the admission team to recruit talented students. In coordination with the dean, academic services, institutional effectiveness staff, and program leaders, you will guide faculty in curriculum development and assess student work for accreditation needs, consulting relevant parties to provide steadfast support. Responsibilities also include regular curriculum reviews to ensure quality and relevance based on educational outcomes, assessments, and accreditation activities.

In this position, you will make decisions about student course substitutions and exemptions, applications for independent study or internships, and waivers of prerequisites. You will also coordinate the review of high-quality graduate student applications. You will participate in recruitment trips to review, interview, and recommend candidates, conduct presentations, and submit anticipated headcounts. In all decision-making capacities, you will exercise sound judgment.

In assigned classes, you will guide students as they master sound design technology and prepare for immersive careers in entertainment, from film and television to music, live performances, and more. Responsibilities include collaboration with the institutional recognition office to submit student work to competitions and showcase outstanding work and coordination with the office of career and alumni success to assist with career and internship opportunities.

Among other duties, you will establish new partnerships with professional academic organizations, anticipate trends to propose strategies for implementing academic programs, and address issues as needed. Additionally, you will prepare ad hoc reports, monitor departmental data for efficiency, and evaluate and approve purchase and travel requests per the departmental budget.

The ideal candidate demonstrates the ability to effectively turn strategic visions into measurable actions. The candidate should have strong organizational, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills. They are an innovative and energetic individual with a dedication to personal and professional integrity. Additionally, they possess exceptional attention to detail and a robust work ethic to meet expectations and deadlines. The candidate exercises excellent judgment in making hiring recommendations and academic interest decisions.

Minimum qualifications:

• Terminal degree in sound design or a related discipline
• Notable career as a sound design professional and/or faculty member
• Demonstrated excellence in leadership and innovation

Travel required:

• Less than 10%

Required application documents:

• Current résumé and/or CV
• Cover letter
• Portfolio or its equivalent
• Unofficial academic transcripts

Certificates, licenses, and registrations:

• Academic and professional credentials to teach sound design

Special instructions to applicants: Only complete packages will be considered. An unofficial transcript of your highest degree awarded, a cover letter, and a résumé or CV are required.

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 represent 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.