Director, Fine Arts Studios and Academic Space Management

The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

SMFA at Tufts University in Boston seeks a Director of Fine Arts Studios & Academic Space Management to lead approximately 14 professional studio staff and oversee 21 studios, labs, classrooms, and informal spaces. This on-site leadership role partners with the Dean and academic colleagues to ensure spaces support teaching, learning, and artistic practice.

The role drives space planning, operations, safety, and innovative practices, translating strategic goals into effective operational outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive management experience or a Master's degree and 6+ years of progressive management experience.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex operations in academic, arts, or similar environments.
• Experience driving organizational change, strategic initiatives, or service improvements across complex stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, operations, and continuous improvement for 21 studios, labs, classrooms, and informal spaces.
• Collaborate with the Dean, faculty, and admin colleagues to align spaces with educational priorities.
• Provide leadership on academic space planning, utilization, and facilities needs.
• Mentor and develop a team of approx. 14 studio staff.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans supporting teaching and student success.
• Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, and equipment investments.
• Develop policies and service models ensuring equitable access, safety, and innovation.
• Collaborate with TTS and university teams to enhance services and outcomes.
• Participate in TTS leadership and cross-functional initiatives.
• Build partnerships among faculty, students, admins, and leaders.
• Use data and feedback to drive service improvements and innovation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team development

Strategic planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication

Project management

Education

Master's degree (preferred)

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

Tufts Technology Services (TTS) is Tufts' trusted leader in technology partnership, support, and enablement, delivering solutions in service of the university’s mission. TTS works closely with school and central division partners to meet the technology needs of the Tufts community across our three campuses and throughout our global networks. Our holistic understanding of the Tufts landscape, our dedicated multidisciplinary team, and our 24x7 IT Service Desk position TTS to provide practical solutions to current challenges and creative, sustainable new approaches as technologies and university priorities evolve.

We are a community of problem-solvers, innovators, and stewards of trust who take pride in building technology foundations that are reliable, secure, and designed for the future. We bring together technology expertise across academic, clinical, infrastructure, operations, research, and student domains, applying our knowledge of digital transformation and effective user experiences. Guided by our core values of innovation, integrity, collaboration, optimism, supporting success, and community-centered service, we’re not just maintaining technology—we’re shaping how it enables discovery, connection, and impact across the university and beyond.

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA at Tufts) is a nationally recognized art school where creative practice, experimentation, and interdisciplinary learning are central to the student experience. Through innovative studio-based education and a commitment to individual artistic exploration, SMFA provides students with the space, resources, and support needed to develop as artists, makers, and creative thinkers. The partnership between SMFA and Tufts Technology Services (TTS) reflects a shared commitment to creating innovative learning environments that support teaching, learning, creative practice, and student success.

This is a fully onsite leadership position based at SMFA at Tufts in Boston's Fenway neighborhood. Regular on-campus presence is expected five days per week.

What You'll Do

Reporting to the Senior Director of Educational, Student and Alumni Services within TTS, the Director, Fine Arts Studios & Academic Space Management serves as a key partner and trusted advisor to the Dean of SMFA and school leadership while leading and developing a team of approximately 14 professional studio staff. This role oversees the operations, planning, and continuous improvement of studios, labs, classrooms, and creative learning environments that support teaching, learning, and artistic practice across the SMFA community. The Director plays a critical role in translating the strategic priorities of SMFA leadership into operational excellence, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture, and ensuring that students and faculty have access to exceptional resources and spaces that support innovative approaches to arts education.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, operations, and continuous improvement efforts for approximately 21 studios, labs, classrooms, and informal learning spaces across SMFA.
• Partner closely with the Dean, faculty, academic leadership, and administrative colleagues to ensure learning environments align with the school's educational and strategic priorities.
• Provide leadership and strategic guidance on academic space planning, utilization, facilities needs, and future space initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 14 professional studio staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable plans that support teaching, learning, creative practice, and student success.
• Oversee budget planning, resource allocation, equipment investments, and operational planning related to studio and academic space management.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and service models that support equitable access, operational effectiveness, safety, and innovation across learning environments.
• Collaborate with colleagues across TTS and the university to enhance services, improve operational effectiveness, and support institutional priorities.
• Participate as a member of the TTS leadership community, contributing to strategic planning, service improvement initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration across the university.
• Build strong partnerships and alignment among faculty, students, administrators, and university leaders.
• Use data, assessment, and community feedback to evaluate services and identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive management experience, or a Master's degree and 6+ years of progressive management experience.
• Extensive experience leading teams and managing complex operations within academic, creative, arts, cultural, studio, laboratory, or similarly specialized environments.
• Experience leading organizational change, strategic initiatives, or service improvements across complex stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrated success building and developing high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, mentoring, and developing staff while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Experience managing service-oriented organizations, studios, labs, creative spaces, academic operations, or related facilities.
• Strong communication, organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, students, administrators, and staff.
• Experience translating strategic goals into operational outcomes and measurable results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Record of creative practice and/or leadership experience in arts education, arts administration, museums, cultural organizations, or design education.
• Experience working within art schools, design schools, museums, cultural organizations, higher education, makerspaces, fabrication facilities, or other creative learning environments that support teaching, learning, and creative practice.

Pay Range

Minimum $131,100.00, Midpoint $163,900.00, Maximum $196,700.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.