Crafts Center Director

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NC State University’s Crafts Center Director leads a major arts unit, shaping programming and experiential learning for students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Reporting to Arts NC State leadership, the role oversees budget, staff supervision, and community collaborations to advance crafts education and interdisciplinary research across campus.

Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts or terminal degree with at least 5 years in a leadership role in the arts.
• Familiarity with crafts areas represented in the Crafts Center.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams.
• Ability to form collaborative relationships across units and campuses.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills; able to manage concurrent priorities.
• Experience with interdisciplinary arts, community engagement, and exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the Crafts Center, aligning programming with Arts NC State priorities.
• Cultivate academic partnerships to expand student engagement and experiential learning.
• Lead crafts programming, exhibitions, and community events with staff and instructors.
• Oversee budget, assessment, and administrative operations to meet goals.
• Represent the Crafts Center in university and community settings; support evening and weekend programming.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Strategic planning

Communication

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Education

Master of Fine Arts or terminal degree

Job description

Posting Information

Posting Number

PG194965EP

Internal Recruitment

No

Working Title

Crafts Center Director

Anticipated Hiring Range

$85,000 - $90,000 (commensurate with experience)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday; 8:00AM - 5:00PM, some evening and weekend work is required

Job Location

NC State University, Raleigh, NC

Department

Crafts Center

About the Department

The Division of Academic & Student Affairs ( DASA ) is where students discover connections and community. It is where students live, where they gather, where they improve themselves, each other, and their university. DASA is where students seek guidance and support, both in and outside of the classroom. The division serves all students at NC State. NC State wants employees to achieve their highest potential at work, learn more about our employee value proposition here (You Belong Here). The Division of Academic and Student Affairs is the place to work for values-driven faculty and staff who are passionate about promoting the success of the whole student.

Arts NC State provides transformational arts engagement for all, across four compelling co-curricular and public-facing arts units: NC State LIVE , University Theatre, the Crafts Center, and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.

Arts NC State is a collective for high-impact, co‑created, collaborative, community‑engaged arts experiences, practices, and research. Arts NC State engages our campus, local, and regional communities by offering a “third place” of transformational arts programming for all. Arts NC State partners with non‑profit, social service, and industry organizations to extend the benefits of arts engagement and arts‑integrated research in our communities for the public good. Arts NC State provides students with transferable and life skills that are valued in any career path, and acquired through high‑impact experiential learning in the arts and a creative community of belonging. Arts NC State co‑creates transformative interdisciplinary arts‑integrated research in partnership with staff, faculty, and students across campus through a leading edge research collective. More information about Arts NC State can be found at https://arts.ncsu.edu/

The Crafts Center at NC State University, one of the units comprising Arts NC State, supports the disciplines of woodworking, pottery, photography, fiber arts, lapidary, glass, jewelry and metalworking, mixed media, and more.

The Crafts Center provides hands‑on, immersive, life‑long learning skills to NC State students, faculty and staff, affiliates, alumni, and the general public. Offerings support all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Our mission is to support research, enhance critical thinking, strengthen personal and professional development, and well‑being.

The Crafts Center is a creativity hub for high‑impact, hands‑on, experiential learning. The Crafts Center engages in arts‑integrated research that conducts dialogue and inquiry, helps solve real‑world problems, and provides new outlets for critical thinking. More information about the Crafts Center can be found at https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain work‑life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part‑Time or Full‑Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The Director of the Crafts Center at NC State University leads one of the largest university crafts centers in the United States. The Director reports to the Associate Dean & Executive Director of Arts NC State.

Strategic Leadership, Academic Engagement & Arts‑Integrated Initiatives

• Develop and implement a strategic plan to realize a new vision for the Crafts Center, including restructuring overall programming to support the evolving mission and priorities of Arts NC State.
• Increase academic support and develop collaborative relationships across disciplines, departments, and colleges to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Advance arts‑integrated research and student‑focused programming aligned with Arts NC State’s Art + Wellness and Art + Science initiatives, including the new ArtsRx program.
• Identify and develop opportunities that strengthen the Crafts Center as a creativity hub for high‑impact, hands‑on experiential learning, research, critical thinking, and well‑being.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to integrate Crafts Center programs and resources into the broader academic experience.
• Manage and provide leadership to permanent staff and student employees, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and completion of required personnel processes.
• Coordinate the management, scheduling, and engagement of Crafts Center instructors to ensure high‑quality instruction and meaningful impact across studios and programs.
• Lead and inspire staff, student employees, and instructors in support of the Crafts Center’s strategic direction, programs, and operations.
• Coordinate appropriate staffing and management‑level coverage to support classes, workshops, evening and weekend operations, and special events.
• Ensure required performance evaluations and other personnel responsibilities are completed for applicable employees.

Program Development, Exhibitions & Community Engagement

• Develop and coordinate Crafts Center programs, classes, workshops, and related learning opportunities in collaboration with Arts NC State staff and campus partners.
• Curate and coordinate exhibitions, demonstrations, special events, and other programming that showcase craft, visual arts, interdisciplinary work, and student engagement.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with student organizations, campus partners, community organizations, guilds, artists, instructors, and other stakeholders.
• Assess programming and identify opportunities to enhance participation, impact, and alignment with the strategic direction of the Crafts Center and Arts NC State.

Budget Management, Assessment & Administrative Oversight

• Manage the Crafts Center budget in collaboration with the Arts NC State Business Officer, supporting the effective allocation and stewardship of financial resources.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, and overall budget status throughout the fiscal year to support established financial and operational goals.
• Lead the production of annual reports, assessment reports, and related reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and progress toward established goals.
• Provide oversight of administrative processes and technology supporting class registration, sales, receipts, and other Crafts Center business operations in accordance with university requirements.

Studio Operations, Facilities, Safety & Compliance

• Serve as the Crafts Center facilities liaison and oversee the maintenance and effective operation of studios, equipment, supplies, and facilities.
• Ensure Crafts Center operations, equipment, and facilities comply with applicable university, state, and federal policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of studio spaces to provide safe and functional environments for classes, workshops, exhibitions, and other programs.
• Identify facility, equipment, and operational needs and coordinate with appropriate university and Arts NC State partners to address maintenance, safety, and operational concerns.

University, Arts NC State & Community Representation

• Represent the Crafts Center and Arts NC State at university and community meetings, functions, programs, and special events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with university and community stakeholders that support the mission and visibility of the Crafts Center.
• Participate in Arts NC State events and activities that strengthen awareness of and engagement with the Crafts Center.
• Maintain flexibility to support evening and weekend operations, special events, and other activities requiring the Director’s participation.

Other Responsibilities

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master of Fine Arts or other terminal degree in a related area with a minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role in the arts.

Other Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with and passion for crafts area(s) represented in the Crafts Center.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and develop teams.
• The ability to form collaborative relationships with other Arts NC State units, and departments and colleges across a large campus, as well as externally.
• Excellent organizational skills with sharp attention to detail.
• Ability to manage concurrent time‑sensitive priorities.
• Superior verbal and written communication.
• Must be able to deal tactfully and effectively with multiple levels of internal staff, external patrons, instructors, and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as an effective and compassionate leader with experience leading organizational change.
• Experience with community engagement, arts programming, and curating exhibitions.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, consensus‑building environment.
• Experience with interdisciplinary arts and arts‑integrated research in a university setting.
• Experience with intentional arts and wellness practices and programming.
• Donor cultivation and development experience.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

No

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

10/13/2026

Anticipated Close Date

11/6/2026; if posting is active, we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Position Number

00002825

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.00

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies

Department ID

243030 - Crafts Center

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

• How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU Website
  • Job Alert (automated email from our system)
  • NCSU Executive Search Services
  • Monster.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
  • Job / Career Fair
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Professional Journal
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
  • Radio / Television Advertisement
  • Professional Organization
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
  • NCSU Employee Referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
  • Other
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• Required Documents
  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter
  • Contact Information for References

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
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