Advance the mission and vision of TMUS by effectively advocating for the School of Music and TMU, both within the university and externally. Deans have ultimate accountability for TMUS’s sound management of resources: fiscal, facilities and human. Responsible for collegiate planning, including alignment of plans for educational, research and other activities in assigned school.

This position is responsible for, but not limited to, academic planning, enhancement of programs, curriculum, teaching, scholarship and service, professional and regional accreditation, recruitment of faculty, faculty development and evaluation, student recruitment, advising, budget development, and allocation of resources.

The Master’s University (TMU) seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Music (SOM.) The candidate must be committed to student discipleship, teaching every subject with a biblical worldview holding firm to the sufficiency, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture in our uncompromising commitment to Christ and Scripture. The successful candidate will affirm, in all respects, TMU’s doctrinal statement, demonstrate a strong commitment to the local church, and exhibit servant leadership through careful investment in faculty and caring discipleship of students.

Beginning in 1967, the SOM has a long history of developing Christ-honoring musicians across a broad range of disciplines. This history reflects not only deeply held theological convictions, but professional excellence as evidenced in National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Accreditation as well as being an Avid Certified Learning Partner. Succeeding Dr. Paul Plew’s over 40 years of guidance, the next Dean of the SOM will balance a deep commitment to the traditions and culture of the department while leading the faculty into the next era of curriculum and degree program development.

The successful candidate will possess a terminal degree, a minimum 10 years of experience in higher education, with at least 5 of those years in significant and successful leadership roles. They will evidence sound budgetary acumen, a clear vision for fund raising, and strong record of student recruitment and recruiting strategy. This individual will demonstrate both strong public and interpersonal relations, with the ability to represent the SOM and TMU both internally and externally. In addition, the candidate will evidence strong musicianship and expertise in at least one specific music discipline.

• Ability to teach students effectively, evaluate their performance, and create a supportive learning environment.
• Expertise in one or more teaching areas, which may include major ensemble leadership, musicology, music education, worship music, or an applied area.
• Engage faculty, staff and students in discussions of all important collegiate issues and assuring a positive, high-quality working environment.

• Convene strategic intellectual discussions about future academic directions of departments, centers, programs and the university itself.
• Advocate for the school, especially by joining the university-wide processes in strategic planning, budget, facilities planning and political action, to position the school favorably in the university’s broader planning.
• Engage in fund raising for scholarships, programs, and facilities in collaboration with the TMU Development department.
• Play a key oversight role in accreditation, program review and other processes that are important for continuous improvement of the school’s activities.
• Engage with the Council of Deans in key discussions of institutional planning, policy, political action and other key activities, in so doing representing the school’s interests effectively.
• Hire highly effective and doctrinally aligned faculty, staff and others who are direct reports, doing their performance evaluations, and assuring their accountability for high-level performance in areas appropriate to their positions.
• Provide leadership, working with the faculty, to achieve the mission of the TMUS in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Responsible for department budget management including monthly review of allocated funds.
• Provide leadership for faculty development and professional growth.
• Ensure orientation of all new faculty and adjunct faculty and appoint Department Chairs with the concurrence of the Provost.
• Supervise the activities of the department chairs and advise and mentor new department chairs.
• Ensure the completion of both the annual faculty performance evaluations and student assessments of faculty/course.
• Review and approve all University curricular requests and coordinate instruction, ensuring programs meet state and accreditation standards.
• Assist in the establishment of and support for the orderly and regular review of programs and curriculum.
• Maintain open, positive channels of communication with all TMUS stakeholders.
• Foster the recruitment and retention of qualified students and provide leadership to students in academic endeavors and co-curricular activities.
• Ensure all students are advised and have a program of study.
• Respond to student academic concerns and seek resolution at the faculty level, ensuring that accurate records of these issues are kept in the Dean’s office.
• Perform other related duties as established or assigned.