Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies

The University of Southern Mississippi•Hattiesburg, MS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Music is seeking a dynamic musician, educator, and program builder for the position of Director of Jazz Studies. This is a nine-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will provide artistic, curricular, and administrative leadership for the Jazz Studies program, focusing on its continued growth and development. The role involves leading an active program that respects jazz traditions while embracing contemporary practices, emerging technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, entrepreneurship, and diverse career paths for musicians. A significant priority will be recruitment, requiring the development of strategies to cultivate relationships with prospective students, music programs, alumni, and other partners to enhance the program's regional and national presence. The program includes large and small ensembles, as well as courses in performance, improvisation, theory, arranging, and history, serving students from the School of Music and the broader university. The Director will also maintain an active record of creative activity (performance, composition, arranging) with regional, national, and international reach, aligning with the expectations of a comprehensive research institution.

Requirements

DMA in jazz studies, music performance, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated record of excellence as a jazz performer, educator, conductor/director, composer/arranger, or other jazz professional.
Demonstrated experience directing jazz ensembles and/or coaching small ensembles.
Evidence of successful teaching at the collegiate, secondary, or comparable professional level.
Demonstrated knowledge of jazz history, repertoire, performance practices, and pedagogy.
Evidence of or potential to recruit, mentor, and retain students.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, administrators, professional musicians, and community partners.
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with (or ability to learn) Canvas, the university’s online learning management systems (LMS).
Familiarity with (or ability to learn) Microsoft Office, including Outlook and Teams.
Familiarity with university-level recruitment and/or retention strategies.
Successful assistance in recruiting students and building or growing a collegiate jazz program.
Experience developing innovative curricula or programs that respond to changes in the professional music industry.
Evidence of successful interdisciplinary collaborations and/or partnerships with professional and community organizations.
Experience incorporating contemporary commercial music, popular music, global influences, or other complementary styles and practices within a jazz curriculum.
Professional profile as a performer, educator, conductor, composer/arranger, producer, or creative artist.
Collegiate teaching and ensemble-directing experience.
Experience teaching or mentoring students in music entrepreneurship, career development, audience development, marketing, branding, project management, or other aspects of professional musicianship.
Experience with participating in festivals, guest artist programs, tours, recordings, community engagement initiatives, or other high-impact projects.
Skills and/or experience with fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, or development of external partnerships.
Budget management skills and/or experience.

Responsibilities

Provide artistic and administrative leadership for the Jazz Studies program, including developing a clear vision for its continued growth and distinction.
Direct jazz ensembles and jazz combos as assigned, maintaining a high standard of performance.
Create meaningful performance opportunities on and off campus for students and increase the regional and national visibility of the Jazz Studies program.
Teach courses in jazz appropriate to the candidate’s expertise and the needs of the school.
Develop and implement a comprehensive recruitment strategy, including regular engagement with prospective students, school programs, community colleges, festivals, conferences, guest artists, and other recruitment opportunities.
Encourage innovative programming and creative projects that reflect both traditions in jazz and innovations in contemporary music.
Collaborate with other school and academic disciplines, professional musicians, arts organizations, and community partners.
Cultivate guest artist residencies, festivals, clinics, touring opportunities, recording projects, and other initiatives that enhance the student experience and profile of the program.
Teach, mentor, and advise graduate students in jazz, developing appropriate curricula related to the area.
Oversee management of scholarship and operating budgets for the area.
Coordinate with administration the teaching assignments of adjunct faculty and graduate assistants.
Maintain an active professional profile as a performer, educator, scholar, composer/arranger, producer, or other creative practitioner.
Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture that supports artistic excellence as well as student achievement, retention, and professional development.
Participate in school, college, university service as appropriate.