Staff Positions

Position Summary

Maine College of Art (MECA) seeks a dynamic leader to serve as Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies and to join a committed group of faculty and staff who are passionate about art, education and community.

The Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies will provide visionary leadership for MECA’s graduate, professional and continuing education programs in direct support of institutional initiatives. This is a new position for a high-energy individual who wants to make a significant impact. The successful candidate will develop and oversee delivery of innovative graduate degrees and certificates, non-credit-bearing professional development programming, and online and hybrid learning experiences for non-traditional adult learners. The Associate Dean will support graduate-level and post-bac-level programs, expand credit and non-credit graduate options that meet emerging educational needs, and generate new revenue streams for the College. The candidate will have a demonstrated passion for education, the arts and entrepreneurship, and the power of these experiences to transform lives.

The Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies will collaborate with and motivate their direct reports as well as faculty, staff, students, alumni and community, and will develop and maintain strong external relationships. The Associate Dean reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the College and is a member of the Dean’s Cabinet.

Currently, MECA offers three graduate-level programs: a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA), a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. MECA’s Continuing Studies (CS) office offers all-ages open-enrollment programs in the form of weekly classes, weekend classes, winter and summer intensives, international retreats, and youth camps to provide access to professional quality study in the arts and professional development opportunities for the general public. CS also delivers MECA’s Pre-College, a three week residential program for high-school students that allows them to learn from dedicated educators who are also practicing artists and designers.

Responsibilities

• Growing existing graduate programs; coordinating and supporting the development of new graduate, online, and professional programming
• Researching and identifying opportunities for program expansion
• Implementing and evaluating new programs
• Budget management
• Preparing proposals, facilitating program accreditation
• Recruiting and managing full-time and part-time staff and faculty in the areas of graduate and professional studies
• Mentoring and overseeing faculty in the areas of online, distance and hybrid learning in collaboration with the appropriate colleagues
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Assessment of programs, evaluation of faculty and staff
• Data- and research-based decision-making that supports the strategic goals of the College
• Oversight and development of Pre-College

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to leverage passion
• Entrepreneurial
• Demonstrated success leading and orchestrating strategic change
• Experience in graduate and/or professional programming preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
• Ability to create realistic business plans for new initiatives
• Background in art, design and/or entrepreneurship
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in administration, program implementation, and/or teaching
• Powerful business acumen
• Demonstrated knowledge in relevant emerging technologies
• Experience with accreditation processes and procedures is an asset, but is not necessary

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range $65,000 to $80,000 contingent on experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits.

Application Procedure

Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and will be accepted until a hire is made. Application materials must be sent digitally in a single PDF, not to exceed a 25MB file size. Please email the document to employment@meca.edu. Place “Associate Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies [LastName FirstName]” in the subject line. The PDF must include (1) an application letter which describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the listed position description; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a diversity statement; (4) any relevant scholarly publications, exhibitions, or other examples of professional achievement (if available; a link to website may be used); and (5) a list of five references with contact information. Finalists must agree to a background check.

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Department: Academic Affairs
Reports to: Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean of the College

Maine College of Art (MECA) invites applications for a full-time Director of Exhibitions with duties
commencing on or about June 1, 2019.

Position Summary and Responsibilities

The Director of Exhibitions develops, plans, and implements exhibitions and programs that support and advance the educational mission of the College and its varied degree programs. The Director manages the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at MECA, six floors of exhibition space in the Porteous Building, and other MECA spaces. Providing direction, management and leadership for all campus shows, the Director ensures an ongoing calendar of exhibitions and related programming that is educationally relevant to the College. They supervise a full-time
Exhibition Coordinator, guest curators, work-study students, and part-time staff.

Responsibilities encompass programming, publicity, fundraising, publications, managing facilities, and staffing. Programming responsibilities include developing, scheduling and executing multiple and varied exhibitions annually that reflect the College’s values and mission, directly supporting
student learning, and reinforcing the ICA’s reputation as a leading contemporary art venue. The purpose of the ICA is to engage regional, national and international artists, curators,
academics and others with MECA to advance the College and its mission, to expand the diverse educational experiences that constitute that mission, and to arrange exhibitions and perspectives that the College might not otherwise offer. The Director ensures that the ICA and other exhibitions are as engaging, inviting, challenging, lively and educationally relevant as possible.

The Director manages and maintains the College’s exhibitions policies and procedures, as well as student shows for the BFA, MFA, MAT and Salt programs. Experience with exhibitions is a core component of the educational experience of visual art students.

Qualifications

A graduate degree in visual art and/or design, curatorial studies, art history or a related field, or equivalent professional experience, is preferred. Candidates with an MFA are encouraged to apply. Experience in project management is needed; experience with contemporary curatorial
practice is desirable. The successful candidate will have a history of coordinating events and complex calendars and collaborating with multiple constituencies. They will be passionate and curious about contemporary art and design, as well as the academic fields taught at MECA. The candidate must have an expansive view of visual culture. The candidate will interact professionally with MECA students, faculty, staff, trustees, community members, donors, visiting artists, curators, and the public at large. They must be creative, generative and resourceful, and have a flair for public relations.

Other:

• Experience creating and executing educational programs to suit a wide variety of ages and community interests is desirable.
• Professional experience in higher education and/or successful grant writing is advantageous.
• Superior interpersonal skills, communication skills both written and oral, and organizational skills are required, as is the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well under pressure. Flexibility of schedule is required, as is the need to work on some weekends and evenings.
• Ability to physically hang work and pick up up to 25 lbs.

Benefits

Compensation ranges from $48,000 to $60,000, contingent upon experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits.

Application Procedure

Applications will be reviewed immediately and until the position is filled. Candidates who submit their materials by April 21, 2019 are assured full consideration. Digital application required. In one PDF file not to exceed 25MB please include: (1) an application letter that describes how the
candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the position; (2) a resumé or curriculum vitae; (3) a diversity statement; and (4) the names and contact information of four current references. The candidate may also submit two writing samples and/or a visual portfolio of exhibitions.

Attach the PDF to an email and send to employment@meca.edu. Place “Exhibitions Director:
[Your Name]” in the Subject line. Applications will be kept confidential until such time as candidates visit campus.

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and supporting
an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Position Summary

Maine College of Art (MECA) seeks an innovative and experienced Chief Enrollment Management Officer (CEMO) who will develop strategic undergraduate recruitment and enrollment strategies, manage undergraduate and graduate admissions, as well as help build and oversee the student enrollment services experience and marketing strategy for the College.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, the Chief Enrollment Management Officer will have a strong understanding of recruitment, admissions, and enrollment processes and trends related to developing and achieving ambitious enrollment goals. The CEMO will lead an operation that uses best practices and a data-driven approach to reach its goals. Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, strong marketing and technology skills, and demonstrated success in collaborating with all levels of the institution are required.

Responsible for the development and implementation of sophisticated strategic enrollment management plans that meet targeted enrollment goals and attract an exemplary, diverse student body, the candidate will be comfortable crafting and managing data-driven strategies and tactics.

The CEMO will lead the formation and implementation of the College’s Student Concierge Committee bringing together team members from the admissions, financial aid, registrar, student affairs and marketing units. The CEMO will lead a team of professionals during a time when the College seeks to strengthen and grow its undergraduate population as well as increase its graduate program offerings. The successful candidate will play a central role in building partnerships with art educators at high schools, colleges, and community-based visual arts programs. The CEMO will have previous admissions and management experience; an understanding of financial aid practices; proven organizational, mentoring, motivational and communication skills; strong planning, implementation, and supervisory skills; and experience with a CRM platform.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop a vision and strategy to grow undergraduate enrollment
The CEMO will be a strategic thought partner to the President, Executive Vice President and Dean on enrollment strategy, serving as the chief architect to both strengthen existing partnerships as well as find new ways to attract applicants locally, nationally, and internationally. The individual will be appropriately data driven, with a keen awareness of prevailing trends adjusting enrollment strategies accordingly. Ensure strategic use of financial aid and scholarships.

The CEMO should bring insights regarding national trends in tuition and aid practices to guide institutional strategy. The CEMO is expected to continue MECA’s progress in strategically and proactively utilizing financial aid to attract, yield, and shape a strong undergraduate class.

Identify innovative ways to identify new students
MECA enjoys a strong reputation throughout its historic art program feeder schools around the country, but it has the opportunity to rethink its deployment of resources and outreach strategies. The CEMO will be expected to evaluate current outreach efforts and find new ways to expand outreach locally, nationally, and internationally to spread MECA’s reach. The CEMO will model, track, and analyze enrollment goals consistent with the undergraduate colleges’ goals and mission.

Build a strong data and measurement function that leverages the use of technology
As a seasoned enrollment professional well versed in industry best practices, the CEMO will promote a strong understanding of data and metrics to make appropriate decisions both on the ground and at the strategic level. The CEMO will leverage technology in enrollment modeling and projection as well as in creating efficiencies for admission and financial aid processes, compiling data analytics regularly for transparency, and to communicate effectiveness of the enrollment management strategy.

Develop and support a cross-functional team
In order to execute a new enrollment management strategy effectively, the CEMO will promote synergies across admissions, financial aid, student affairs and the registrar. The CEMO will be expected to unite these teams around a comprehensive vision and strategy through team building and process improvement. To do so, the CEMO will develop new outreach strategies to streamlining financial aid processes and improve yield, and comprehensively manage the admission and enrollment cycle and cultivate the team effort around new objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience, with at least 3 years of successful leadership experience in the area of undergraduate admissions, enrollment, and/or recruitment
• Deep expertise and knowledge of promising practices and research on recruitment, admissions, and enrollment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and successful presentation skills with small and large audiences
• Experience with data analysis and use of database and application systems, Hobson’s preferred.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to lead collaboratively in an environment of change and growth
• Strong professional work ethic and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple competing projects, priorities, and deadlines
• Previous experience in hiring, training, managing and evaluating full-time staff
• Experience with the budget development, planning and oversight
• An art background and familiarity with high school and college visual art programs is highly desirable.

Maine College of Art recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Priority application deadline of May 3, 2019.

Please send letter of interest, resume, and three references to:
Email: employment@meca.edu No phone calls, please.

Institution

Maine College of Art is an independent college of art and design located in the center of the thriving arts district of Portland, Maine. Established in 1882, the College currently enrolls approximately 500 students, the majority of whom are in the undergraduate program. About 1,200 students take classes through MECA’s Continuing Studies Program annually. MECA’s Institute of Contemporary Art serves a critical regional role in its commitment to presenting contemporary, provocative work by living artists from Maine and around the globe. The Joanne Waxman Library is one of the largest independent libraries in Northern New England.

MECA is characterized by its intimate learning community, its interdisciplinary nature and the breadth of its programs. It confers the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts in eleven majors, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Our goal at MECA is to teach each student how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals.