Dean, Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
About The Position
Belmont University seeks a visionary leader to serve as Dean of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB), the university’s largest college. The Dean will be its chief academic and administrative officer, providing academic leadership and strategic direction while advancing the college’s global leadership, industry partnerships, academic innovation, and student-focused mission. The role reports directly to the Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Excellence. CEMB is based on Nashville’s Music Row and offers undergraduate and graduate programs spanning music business, songwriting, animation and media arts, film and television, journalism, publishing, audio engineering, sports administration, and related fields. The Dean will lead faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners; cultivate experiential learning opportunities and external relationships; steward college resources; and support the university’s Christ-centered mission. Belmont is a private, ecumenical Christian university serving nearly 9,000 students from every state and more than 35 countries. The successful candidate will bring a record of leadership, fundraising, relationship building, and organizational management, along with an understanding of trends in entertainment and higher education. The candidate must be able to lead CEMB in alignment with Belmont’s Christ-centered, student-focused mission. The university reserves the right to give preference to candidates who support its goals and mission. The selected candidate must complete a background check satisfactory to the University. Belmont University participates in E-Verify.
Requirements
- Evidence of successful leadership in an academic and/or professional environment.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and external engagement.
- Ability to develop, articulate, and implement strategic direction within a complex institution.
- Background, experience, and qualifications meriting appointment to the faculty at the rank of full professor with tenure.
- Appreciation of Belmont University, including its past, present, and future.
- Long-standing dedication to academic excellence, scholarship, and learning.
- Demonstrated leadership in promoting hope, unity, and belonging among staff, faculty, and students.
- Uncompromising personal and professional integrity.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong financial and resource management skills, including the ability to make strategic budget decisions.
- Ability to listen to divergent views while building consensus and collegiality.
- Capacity to lead a unit in alignment with Belmont University’s Christ-centered institutional mission.
- At least five years of progressively increasing responsibility and leadership.
- Experience in music business, entertainment, or another profession demonstrating professional achievement.
- Advanced or terminal degree preferred.
- Capacity to lead CEMB in alignment with Belmont University’s Christ-centered, student-focused mission.
- Ability to understand future trends in entertainment and higher education and lead within a complex organization.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced or terminal degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the College’s chief academic and administrative officer, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, corporate sponsors, donors, industry partners, and the professional community.
- Build philanthropic support and meet fundraising and engagement objectives in partnership with the Office of Development.
- Collaborate with university marketing and communications and the Office of the President on strategic branding opportunities.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration across Belmont’s colleges.
- Lead and supervise associate deans, assistant deans, department chairs, faculty, and staff; support organizational, curricular, and administrative work.
- Oversee the student educational experience, including learning, formation, support, retention, and success.
- Lead student recruitment and enrollment growth strategies in partnership with university enrollment, marketing, and admissions teams.
- Advance continuous improvement in teaching, scholarship, student support, and service.
- Lead programmatic accreditation processes and ensure compliance with relevant accrediting bodies.
- Improve current and future curricula and pursue new programs, innovation, and emerging industry opportunities.
- Collaborate with deans, administrators, and faculty on interdisciplinary initiatives, research collaborations, and shared educational resources.
- Participate in university-wide structures, committees, and initiatives and contribute to the university’s strategic direction.
- Manage CEMB’s budget and financial resources in alignment with strategic priorities.
- Work with university administration to allocate resources, seek external funding, and make strategic investments in faculty, staff, and infrastructure.
- Recruit, hire, and evaluate faculty in accordance with university policies and college practices.
- Mentor and support faculty through professional development that fosters excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the President or Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Excellence.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
