Assistant Provost & Executive Director

Department/Division: Division of Community Learning  

Status: Full-time, salary, exempt  

Work Schedule: 8:30 am to 5 pm (M-F), includes some evenings and weekend hours; occasional travel required 

Job Summary: The Director, Community Arts School provides strategic direction and leadership for the University’s community-based divisional arts school which is housed within the nationally acclaimed Conservatory of Music. The ideal candidate for this position is a proven leader of arts education and is entrepreneurial, business-oriented, and able to lead a team in creating unparalleled arts education programming. Candidates must have demonstrated success in arts education and/or arts administration.

The Director will be responsible for building and maintaining positive and collaborative working relationships with key organizational stakeholders internally and externally. This position will report to the Assistant Provost & Executive Director, Division of Community Learning with a ‘dotted line’ to the Dean, Conservatory of Music. Additional advisement will be provided by the Associate Director of Conservatory Admissions.  

OVERVIEW:  

Community Arts School:  

Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School (CAS), originally formed as the Conservatory Preparatory Department, was established in 1976 to offer Dalcroze music classes and music lessons for younger children. Today, offerings span from infants through retirees and include dance classes and a dance company, visual art classes, theatre classes, both vocal and instrumental ensembles, summer camps, private lessons in music and voice as well as professional development classes for music educators. This wide portfolio of programming is centered on both exposure and immersion to promote lifelong engagement with the arts. In addition, CAS works in tandem with faculty, to create programming and experiences that focus on college/professional preparation for high school students.  

CAS serves over 4,000 participants annually.   

Division of Community Learning: 

The Division of Community Learning (DCL) is an entity at Baldwin Wallace University that develops, supports and administers community-based and professional educational initiatives across all colleges/schools and their respective departments on- and off-campus. The DCL is focused on creating accessible opportunities for our community to work alongside our faculty, staff and students, and utilize the university’s significant facilities, research and expertise. 

Conservatory of Music: 

Established in 1898, the Conservatory of Music offers 300 undergraduate music majors a professional music program enhanced by a comprehensive and entrepreneurial liberal arts curriculum. Our artistically charged atmosphere inspires students in all majors to strive for creative excellence. Student programs are small enough for individual attention, yet large enough to provide outstanding performing opportunities. Our proximity to Cleveland provides countless cultural, educational, and performing opportunities for students and faculty alike.    

POSITION:  

Key Position Attributes:  

• Strategic leader with a commitment to unparalleled visioning: Lead a large scale vision that allows for the creation and delivery of high-quality, innovative experiences and programming that meet and exceed market demand. 
  
• Relationship builder with an entrepreneurial mindset: Upholds our commitment to strengthen and establish connections between external partners and BW’s capabilities, finding innovative ways to engage with existing university resources and/or develop new offerings.
• Champion for bold, unparalleled educational experiences: Supports and challenges the school’s artistic leaders to create experiences and opportunities that are meaningful, relevant and transformative for all involved.  

Essential duties, tasks and responsibilities: The following duties are not to be considered a complete list of duties and responsibilities assigned to this position.  

Organizational Leadership and Management  

      Ensures that the organization effectively achieves its mission by providing oversight of  
      day-to-day operations, human resources, fiscal management, and programming. 

• Establishes and effectively executes an annual operating plan which strengthens organizational success and sustainability 

• Leads the continuous review and implementation of a CAS-specific strategic plan that supports its artistic, educational, financial, and partnership objectives within the context of the University’s strategic efforts 
• Provides leadership to a professional team of five (5) full-time staff, two (2) part-time staff and eighty (80) faculty members 

• Establishes clear performance goals and conducts yearly annual reviews for professional staff  
• Works in tandem with program directors and managers on appropriate faculty hires and performance reviews 
• Fosters a workplace that is collaborative, professional, and positive 

• Creates and manages an Advisory Board of internal and external stakeholders that provides input and strategy on programs and services offered through CAS  
• Serves on the Division of Community Learning’s Advisory Council and the Conservatory of Music’s Administrative Leadership Team  
• Represents BW and CAS within appropriate local, regional and national organizations 

 Revenue Generation & Budgeting  

      Develops and manages a diverse revenue portfolio and budget forecasts in alignment
      with institutional goals and an established pro forma. 

• Sets all program tuition with respect to market value, expenses and expected net margin 
• Cultivates opportunities for mission-oriented revenue generating opportunities including hosted programs, partnerships and licensing  
• Leads all fund development initiatives in coordination with the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement 

• Develops and implements a philanthropic strategy that will identify and cultivate potential opportunities for advancement as well as build on existing relationships with individuals and funders 

• Actively seeks grant funding opportunities that align with the mission and programming of CAS while supporting existing grant awards in tandem with assigned CAS staff  

• Establishes and oversees the process for financial aid provided to CAS participants   

Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation 

      Works in tandem with program directors, managers and coordinators to establish the
       annual portfolio of educational programming (or hosted programs).  

• Draws upon experience, educational needs and local/national trends to develop and implement high-impact programming and/or experiences 
• Works in tandem with admissions to drive/influence BW University and Conservatory enrollment to design arts-based programming and experiences that engage and thoughtfully connect prospective students with the University 
• Authorizes contracts/agreements for faculty or third-party vendors where appropriate 
• Performs program evaluations to ensure high-performance and relevancy       

Marketing and Registration  

     Works with the CAS Communications Manager to create messaging and external
     marketing and communications material including, but not limited to, division
      statements, press releases, print/digital advertising, signage/displays, newsletters,
      website content, and social media channels.  

• Provides input to collateral projects with contracted ad agency as needed  
• Works with program directors and managers regarding participant registration processes and user engagement, course enrollment thresholds and targets  

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in education, arts management or business required 
• At least ten (10) years of management-level experience 
• Experience with learning design and/or program development/evaluation  
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and funding  
• Demonstrated success coordinating a collaborative team. Experience in hiring, managing, and retaining talented staff 
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite 
• Must be detail-oriented with exceptional oral, written and interpersonal skills  
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and take initiative.  Skills in problem-solving, negotiation, tact and diplomacy 
• Ability to maintain a sense of collaboration and trust among a team 
• Will be required to pass a background check and complete required University compliance training 

Compensation:  

A competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, sick leave, vacation, holidays, short-term disability, 403 (b) retirement plan, life insurance and tuition remission benefits. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

Other than some local travel, work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. Flexible, remote work can be arranged, but some weekly time in the office will be required. Limited physical effort required. No or limited exposure to physical risk.
 

Application Procedures: 

Application deadline of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022.  Please submit one (1) PDF file containing a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references.  

Baldwin Wallace University is an EEO/AA employer and educator.  At BW, we support and encourage diversity in a variety of forms. We value and appreciate inclusive excellence in the classroom, within extracurricular activities, and as we engage our community partners.  Learn more at Diversity Affairs at http://www.bw.edu/about/diversity/