Application Deadline Extended to April 15, 2012
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Dean job posting
Dean Job Description
The Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1964 and is situated on Vancouver Island in BC’s capital city. It currently serves over 1,500 students of all ages and abilities through a wide variety of educational programs. In addition to musical instruction for the general community, the VCM offers Post-Secondary Diploma programs in partnership with Camosun College. The Conservatory has a strong tradition of Teacher Training, and has developed several opportunities for students of special promise through its Opera Studio, Advanced Voice Workshop, and Collegium Program for Young Musicians.
The VCM currently employs seven Department Heads and 115 contracted faculty members.
The Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, reporting to the CEO, has the responsibility and authority to manage the educational mandate of the VCM and to ensure the artistic integrity of all educational programs. With a commitment to continue to build the VCM’s reputation as a leading school for music education in Canada, the Dean will also lead and facilitate the development of new programs, satellite locations, and outreach programming. As such, the Dean will be a leader in nurturing and maintaining a productive environment for teaching and learning at the VCM, building strong connections in the wider community, and ensuring an effective artistic organizational structure is in place to support the work and the growth of the organization.
As a key member of the VCM’s executive team, the Dean is actively involved in strategic planning, is accountable for achieving the educational and artistic vision of the organization, and for ensuring the effective functioning of all aspects of educational operations including budget development and management.
Proven leadership and administrative skills are essential to this position. The Dean will be responsible for the day to day management and long-term development of the Department Heads and faculty, ensuring that the student population of the VCM has access to an exceptional music educational experience that fully meets their needs. The Dean will also have a demonstrated record of administrative and financial success in managing complex and diverse programs and people within an educational setting. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, as well as demonstrated success in negotiation and conflict resolution. The Dean will be a team player with highly developed interpersonal skills, practicing and inspiring professionalism and collegiality.
In addition to the above, the Dean will ideally be a musician with a recognized record of achievement, and still active in the profession. It is expected that the Dean will be involved in teaching, or in directing a specific musical project within the organization, according to his/her own area of expertise.
The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The selection committee will begin consideration of candidates March 15, 2012. (Application Deadline Extended to April 15, 2012)Applications, including up-to-date curriculum vitae and the names of at least three referees, should be submitted in strict confidence to:
Jane Butler McGregor, CEO
butlermcgregor@vcm.bc.ca
Description:
Job Summary
The Dean of the Victoria Conservatory of Music has responsibility and authority to manage educational matters for the VCM, including overseeing the artistic integrity of all educational programs, in order to ensure the VCM develops and builds a reputation as the leading school of choice for musical education in Canada.
As a member of the VCM’s executive team, the Dean actively participates in setting strategic direction for the VCM and is accountable for leading the educational and artistic vision of the VCM, and ensuring the effective functioning of all aspects of the VCM’s educational operations, in order to support and meet the targets of the VCM’s strategic plan. The Dean is a leader in developing and maintaining a productive and inspiring environment for teaching and learning at the Conservatory.
Major Responsibilities
1. Educational and Artistic:
The Dean works collectively with the Department Heads, who form the Artistic Directorate, to plan and direct the VCM’s educational and performance programs, including curriculum planning and implementation, assessment, budget planning and management, and faculty-related issues. This includes:
a) Community School – Studio, Group and Ensemble programming:
> Ensure that all community school programs are artistically and financially viable, that they fit within the VCM’s artistic vision and strategic plan, and meet the needs of the student body and community
at large;
> Subject to approval of the CEO, initiate new educational ventures to increase the reach, breadth and effectiveness of VCM training, such as satellite, distance and outreach education programming;
> Ensure the quality of education through ongoing assessment and feedback from students and faculty.
b) Professional School – Post Secondary Diploma, Certificate and Continuing Education programs:
> In conjunction with the Director of Professional School, the Dean will:
- Manage the ongoing partnership between the VCM and Camosun College;
- Ensure the quality of the delivery of the Post Secondary Diploma and Certificate programs, building on the success that has been established over the last 36 years;
- Further develop Continuing Education music programs in conjunction with Camosun College.
c) Summer Academies:
> Establish the artistic vision of the Summer Academy Music programs;
> Work with the Artistic Directors of each program to ensure quality, financial viability and logistics of delivery.
d) VCM Examination system:
> In conjunction with the CEO, CFO and the AD, determine the future of the VCM Examination system and implement the outcome.
2. Management and Administration
a) Department Head Management and Development:
> Direct and review the performance of Department Heads based on established job descriptions, performance objectives, and personal/professional development goals.
b) Faculty Management and Development:
> In conjunction with the Artistic Directorate, develop and maintain policies and initiatives to ensure successful attraction and retention of the highest caliber of faculty in all disciplines;
> Develop an annual faculty evaluation process to assess faculty performance; setting objectives and measuring achievement. Provide tools and information to the faculty which will assist them with their responsibility of helping build student enrollments and VCM teaching studios;
> Assist in developing and maintaining strong connections between VCM faculty and the wider musical community;
> Manage effective ongoing communication among management, staff, Board, and faculty;
> Develop, interpret and communicate academic policies to the artistic directorate, faculty, management and the Board.
c) Develop an annual operating budget for all educational departments/operations in conjunction with the CEO, CFO and the relevant Department Heads.
d) Ensure that educational/artistic operations are reviewed against established budgets, and managed within those budgets.
e) In conjunction with the CEO, establish an effective organizational structure for educational operations that supports the VCM’s strategic and financial goals.
f) Develop effective space utilization policies in conjunction with the Director of Facilities.
g) Direct and manage VCM student and faculty performance initiatives and the new VCM Presents concert series.
h) In conjunction with the Director of Development, help determine fundraising opportunities to support and benefit educational programming.
i) In conjunction with the Director of Marketing, assist in determining the most effective marketing strategies for educational and performance programming to drive student and audience growth.
j) In conjunction with the CFO, Community School Registrar, Director of Post-Secondary Programs and Professional School Registrar, ensure that registration policies, procedures and systems support the artistic work of the VCM.
3. Visibility and Reputation of the VCM
The Dean plays a vital role in enhancing the visibility and positive reputation of the VCM by:
a) Creating programs, opportunities and activities which enhance the VCM as the region’s preeminent music education institution; and exploring ways to expand that reputation throughout western Canada.
b) Establishing student recruitment initiatives and activities in conjunction with Department Heads and the Director of Marketing.
c) Serves on the Board of Governors in an ex-officio capacity.
d) Chairing the “Deans Committee” of the Board of Governors which brings together selected Board members, community members and faculty members for the purpose of addressing various educational and artistic issues and matters.
e) Representing the artistic and educational perspectives of the VCM to the CEO and Board of Governors.
4. Artistic Involvement
a) The Dean is actively involved in managing an identifiable artistic project within the VCM;
b) The Dean maintains some activity as a professional musician.
Authorities
The Dean has authority to hire, manage and evaluate performance, and terminate employment for faculty and artistic staff; and in conjunction with CEO, to hire, manage and evaluate performance, and terminate employment for members of the Artistic Directorate (Department Heads).
Contacts
Internal
> The Dean interacts on a day to day basis with the CEO and other members of the VCM’s executive team.
> The Dean has contact with the Board of Governors via monthly meetings of the Dean’s Committee which includes the Dean, the CEO, and two Governors appointed by the Chairman of the Board. (Replaces the current Board Programming Committee)
> The Dean meets monthly or as required with the Artistic Directorate to discuss matters relating to educational and performance programs.
External
> Peers and colleagues at other educational institutions that offer music programs, including schools, colleges, and universities within Canada, the US and other countries;
> The regional, national and international musical community.
Key Competencies
Education, Experience & Professional Accreditations
> A nationally recognized professional musician, with an active career as a performer and/or composer;
> A demonstrable record of success, working independently or within an institution of music education, in the areas of:
- music education for students of all ages;
- arts administration and management;
- responsible financial oversight, in the context of a non-profit arts organization;
- program development and project direction;
- supervision of colleagues and co-workers; team-building; collegial management.
Behavioral
> Models responsible leadership;
> Demonstrates personal and professional integrity;
> Demonstrates strong communication and inter-personal skills, including the ability to effectively manage and resolve conflict;
> Brings people together, inspiring them to work cooperatively and effectively on a wide variety of problems and challenges.
