Founding Director of the School of Architecture

Tennessee Tech • Cookeville, TN

6d

About The Position

Tennessee Tech University seeks a visionary architect-educator to serve as the Founding Director of its new School of Architecture. The Director will lead the launch, continued development, and accreditation of a new Bachelor of Architecture program designed to prepare graduates to become competent, skilled, professionally licensed, and community-minded architects. The role calls for a collaborative and innovative leader who can build a nationally distinctive architecture program from the ground up. Supported by Tennessee Tech’s culture of cross-campus collaboration, the Director will advance curricular excellence, develop state-of-the-art facilities, promote professional and practice readiness, and recruit and mentor faculty and students.

The Director is a full-time, 12-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor and reports to the Provost. The position combines strategic, academic, and administrative leadership with teaching and scholarship or professional practice. The Director will lead the program’s initial NAAB accreditation process, oversee ongoing assessment and continuous improvement, and serve as the primary liaison with NAAB and relevant professional bodies.

Requirements

• A minimum of a master’s degree in architecture (NAAB-accredited M.Arch or equivalent).
• Demonstrated excellence in architectural education, including teaching architecture studios, lecture-based courses, and seminars.
• Evidence of an established record of peer-reviewed creative work and/or scholarly productivity.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with NAAB accreditation processes.
• Leadership experience in higher education, architectural practice, or related settings.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. or other terminal research degree in architecture or a closely related field.
• Professional licensure in architecture.
• Experience in strategic planning, curriculum development, program assessment, and budget and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the growth of the Bachelor of Architecture program and establish a distinctive vision aligned with Tennessee Tech’s mission and goals.
• Oversee curriculum refinement, assessment, and accreditation readiness.
• Coordinate renovation of facilities to create studio space, classrooms, and labs.
• Recruit, mentor, and support faculty and staff, cultivating a collegial, collaborative, and respectful culture.
• Guide admissions and student recruitment strategy in partnership with the Division of Communication and Enrollment.
• Cultivate relationships with external partners, practitioners, and community organizations to enhance student career readiness and program impact.
• Provide administrative oversight of faculty, budget planning, and resource allocation.
• Teach courses in the Bachelor of Architecture program and contribute to its intellectual and creative culture.
• Support scholarship and/or professional practice that enhances architectural education.
• Lead the process of seeking initial NAAB accreditation and ensure compliance with accreditation standards.
• Develop and oversee ongoing program assessment, continuous improvement, and professional relevance.
• Serve as the primary liaison with NAAB and relevant professional bodies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior