Chair of Theatre & Film

University of Mississippi · University

Department:

The Department of Theatre & Film

Job Summary:

The Department of Theatre & Film at the University of Mississippi seeks a collaborative, visionary, and experienced academic leader to serve as Chair. This is a tenured, full-time, 12-month administrative faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor (preference for Professor), reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The Chair provides academic, artistic, and administrative leadership for the department’s faculty, staff, and students; teaches one course per semester; and remains active as a scholar or creative artist.

Job Description:

The Department of Theatre & Film at the University of Mississippi (UM) invites applications for the position of Chair, to begin July 1, 2027. The appointment carries tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with a preference for the rank of Professor. The initial Chair appointment is renewable following quadrennial review. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an administrative stipend.

We seek a leader who can bring faculty, staff, and students together around a shared vision for the department's future. The next Chair will build trust and collegiality, lead through open communication and transparent decision-making, and support shared governance. Candidates will be asked to articulate a compelling vision for the future and growth of the department, one that includes collaboration within the department and across departments, centers, and units on campus, and that is informed by University, College, and Departmental Strategic Plans.

The department offers undergraduate degrees in theatre and film to more than 120 majors, including the BA in Theatre Arts, the BFA in Film Production, and the BFA in Theatre Arts with emphases in Design & Theatre Production and in Acting for Stage & Screen. Students have access to three theatrical venues, two soundstages, and various informal production spaces on campus and in the surrounding community. The University of Mississippi is a National Association of Schools of Theatre accredited institution. Candidates are welcome from any discipline of theatre, film, or related fields.

The successful candidate will have:

A track record and experience commensurate with appointment as Associate or Full Professor with tenure within the College of Liberal Arts (preference for Full Professor);
A current or prior tenure appointment from an accredited University;
Demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research and/or creative achievement, and service and administration;
Demonstrated leadership skills, including outstanding personnel management and interpersonal skills, and ideally experience with fiscal management;
A strong commitment to undergraduate education, knowledge of broad curricular and academic issues in the field, and an understanding of areas of growth and interest in theatre and film that may attract students to the discipline;
A commitment to the professional development of faculty, staff, and students; and
A demonstrated commitment to the continued development of the Department of Theatre & Film, including a strong vision for collaboration within the department and across campus.

Applications should be submitted online via the Faculty Career Site portal, accessible from https://olemiss.edu/hr/um-careers/ by clicking through to External Applicants > Faculty Openings. A complete application comprises (1) a cover letter addressing the candidate’s leadership and administrative experience, research and/or creative achievements, and preparation for this role; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a leadership statement detailing the candidate’s approach to leading a collaborative academic unit; and (4) the names, titles, and contact information of five professional references. Review of applications will begin January 11, 2027, and all applications received by that date will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Questions should be sent to theatrefilmsearch@olemiss.edu.

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Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” institutions by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics, and business. The University of Mississippi is consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” and with a student body of approximately 28,000 students, it is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions.

Oxford, MS, is a vibrant university town and a recognized literary and arts destination, about an hour south of Memphis, TN. Each year the community hosts the Oxford Film Festival, the Double Decker Arts Festival, and the Oxford Blues Festival, among other gatherings. UM sponsors the Oxford Conference for the Book and a yearlong performing arts series at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts and offers rich collaborative opportunities through the College of Liberal Arts’ Institute for the Arts, the University Museum, and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Oxford is also known for its music scene, exceptional culinary offerings, historic landmarks, and the home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner.

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!

Job Responsibilities:

Provide academic, artistic, and administrative leadership for the department, working collaboratively with faculty and staff to develop and advance a shared vision and strategic plan aligned with the goals of the College of Liberal Arts and the University Strategic Plan.
Foster a collegial, transparent, and respectful departmental culture; support shared governance; communicate openly with faculty, staff, and students; and address concerns and disagreements constructively and fairly.
Direct faculty and staff hiring, annual reviews, mentoring, workload and service assignments, and reappointment, tenure, and promotion processes, and support the professional development of faculty, staff, and students.
Oversee curriculum development, course planning and scheduling, and assessment for the department’s undergraduate degree programs, and identify and develop areas of growth that attract and retain students.
Administer the department’s budget, facilities, and equipment, including its theatrical venues, soundstages, and production spaces, and manage resources responsibly and transparently.
Oversee the department’s theatre seasons and film productions in collaboration with faculty and staff.
Build partnerships within the department, across campus, and with alumni, donors, and community and professional partners to enhance opportunities for students and faculty.
Teach one course per semester and maintain an active program of research and/or creative activity.
Represent the department within the College and University, serve on departmental, College, and University committees, and perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Education Qualifications:

PhD (Required)

Experience:

Relevant experience

Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

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