Department Chair & Professor

University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina Charlotte seeks a new Department Chair and Professor in Theatre to lead a dynamic program within the College of Arts & Architecture. This tenure-track leadership role oversees daily operations, strategic planning, budgets, and production scheduling while representing the department to the Dean and the wider university community.

The Chair will mentor faculty, guide evaluation processes, and work with production arts staff to advance teaching, scholarship, and

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Theatre or related field.
• Tenured eligible appointment at rank (Associate or Full) will depend on background.
• Strong leadership and communication skills required.
• Ability to mentor faculty and build partnerships within the university and community.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of the Theatre Department and program
• Provide strategic planning, policy administration and budgeting
• Lead hiring, workload assignments, and annual reviews for faculty
• Coordinate production schedules and collaborate with production arts operations
• Represent the department to the Dean, Provost, and external partners

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Mentoring

Collaboration

Recruitment

Education

Terminal degree in Theatre or related field

Job description

Position Information

• Position Number 005119
• Working Title Department Chair & Professor
• Classification Title Department Chair/ Director
• College Col of Arts & Architecture (Col)
• Department Theatre
• Position Designation Faculty
• Employment Type Permanent - Full-time
• Months per year 12

Primary Purpose of Department

The Department of Theatre inspires students to expand their vision of the world and themselves through the study and practice of theatre. The Department offers a B.A. in Theatre with concentrations available in design and production, performance, or theatre education. Our student-centered, community-engaged education in theatre fosters the development of "cross-trained artists" who are prepared to participate in professional theatre as well as any profession that places value on imaginative thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. The program creates intellectual and creative experiences for students through rigorous classroom instruction and innovative approaches to stage production. The faculty comprises nationally recognized scholars and artists who mentor students through individual projects as well as collaborative works that embrace a wide range of aesthetic perspectives, and innovative creative research practices.

Vacancy Open to

UNC Charlotte Employees Only

Description of Work

Responsible for the daily operation of the department and the department programs. The Department Chair/ Director will promote excellence in department programs within the University. Chair/ Director responsibilities are classified as professional duties requiring leadership and mentoring of faculty, administrative expertise to include vision, long term and short-term planning, decision-making and coordination of instruction.

If conducting or supporting research is an element of the work required in this position, then the following statement is applicable: This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate's or the university's eligibility for federal funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Chair reports to the Dean of the CoA+A, sets Departmental priorities in consultation with the faculty, provides leadership in strategic planning, administers Departmental and College policies, and assumes final responsibility for Departmental and production budgets, planning documents, self-studies, and annual reports. The Chair takes an active role in, and assumes final responsibility for hiring all faculty and administrative staff. The Chair is responsible for assigning faculty workloads, individual course schedules, service assignments, annual reviews of all full time faculty, and provides guidance in RPT, PTR and other processes. The Chair also assumes final responsibility for the production season schedules and works collaboratively with the Associate Dean for Production Arts Operations on production support and the use of performance spaces. The Chair represents the Department to the Dean and the Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and serves as a liaison to the arts community beyond the University.

Minimum Experience/Education

UNC Charlotte gives primary consideration to the earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline.

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience

Successful candidates will display an energetic and collaborative leadership style that inspires faculty, students, and staff to develop a shared vision for the future of the Department of Theatre. Candidates are sought who demonstrate leadership in 21st century approaches to Theatre, evidence of leadership in advancing innovation in pedagogy, performance, research, partnership building, administration, and in the workplace. Successful candidates will also possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to recruit, mentor, and support faculty and students of many different backgrounds. Successful candidates may have experience with community-based, site-specific, devised, and/or collaborative work, and an understanding and appreciation for the variety of approaches, perspectives, and specializations that comprise research in Theatre. This may include an ability to advocate for the value of research in and resources for Theatre, in all its forms, relative to UNC Charlotte's unique role as an R1 Urban Research University.

Candidates may also have qualifications that include arts administration, fundraising, and artistic or managerial experience in professional theatre. This is a tenured position; eligibility for tenure rank (Associate or Full Professor) will depend on the background and experience of the candidate.

Necessary Licenses/Certifications

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in Theatre or related field and have a record of significant professional activity suitable for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, as well as a proven record of academic and professional leadership.

Special Notes to Applicants

This posting is open to UNC Charlotte employees only.

Job Open Date

09/23/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Date Review of Applications will Begin

10/15/2026

Proposed Hire Date

07/01/2027

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
2. Resume / Curriculum Vitae