Director, School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Christian University invites applications for Director of the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) and Associate/Full Professor of Dance. This on-campus, tenured position carries an administrative appointment with a Summer 2027 start date.

The Director will lead academic and artistic initiatives, oversee budgets and facilities, and guide curriculum, accreditation, and fundraising while fostering collaboration among faculty, staff, and students in a nationally recognized

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Dance or closely related field with administrative experience.
• Demonstrated record of effective leadership, teaching, and mentorship.
• Qualified for Associate/Full Professor with tenure in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance.
• On-campus, in-person, full-time tenure-track with administrative appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic and artistic leadership and align school plans with College and University.
• Manage budgets, resources, and facilities; collaborate on Ed Landreth Hall renovation.
• Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, retention, mentoring, and tenure processes.
• Coordinate student recruitment, auditions, admissions, and scholarships in collaboration with faculty.
• Coordinate course loads, teaching assignments, and scheduling.
• Maintain NASD accreditation and institutional representation for the program.

Skills

Administrative leadership

Budget management

Fundraising

Strategic planning

Mentorship

Teaching

Communication

Recruiting

Retention

Education

Terminal degree in Dance (MFA/PhD) or equivalent

Job description

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person. The School for Classical & Contemporary Dance in the College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University invites applications for the position of Director of the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) and Associate/Full Professor of Dance. The Director serves as the senior administrator of the academic unit and reports to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. This is an in-person on-campus tenured faculty position with an administrative appointment. The start date of the position is Summer 2027.

This leadership role offers an opportunity to shape the future of the performing arts at TCU by continuing our established record of creative and scholarly distinction, interdisciplinary collaboration, and national visibility for the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance. The next Director of the SCCDance will serve as an active steward of programs and initiatives, joining a collaborative faculty, dedicated staff, and motivated students in fostering a community of artist-scholars and a culture defined by care and excellence.

The Director will:

• provide academic and artistic leadership and contribute to TCU’s goal of becoming an R1 institution, ensuring that the strategic plans of the School, College, and University are aligned and effectively implemented.
• manage the SCCDance’s budgets, financial resources, and facilities; work with College of Fine Arts leadership on the renovation of Ed Landreth Hall as a shared performance space.
• oversee personnel matters including faculty and staff recruitment, retention, mentoring, evaluation, and the promotion and tenure process; make hiring recommendations to the Dean.
• develop and oversee activities related to student recruitment, auditions, admissions, and retention, including scholarships and awards, in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• coordinate faculty course loads, teaching assignments, and scheduling.
• facilitate program development, curriculum design, assessment, and university accreditation requirements; maintain accreditation from and serve as the Institutional Representative to the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
• collaborate with faculty and staff to produce SCCDance concerts and sustain the guest artist program.
• support and develop the health and wellness initiatives that distinguish the School; maintain and foster the SCCDance culture of collaboration, care, and community with all faculty, staff, and students.
• positively represent the School to TCU and the public; work with the Dean on fundraising initiatives, including cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners.
• work with faculty to strengthen and expand the SCCDance’s research/creative activity portfolio, with a focus on increasing externally funded research output that enhances Dance programs.
• teach a reduced load in the candidate’s area of specialty and maintain a record of scholarly/creative activity and service.

Department Details:
The School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) was founded in 1949 and is dedicated to conservatory-style depth inside a liberal arts education. The SCCDance is home to a total of 75-80 majors across three BFA degrees: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ballet, Modern Dance, and Ballet and Modern Dance (double major). DanceTCU offers multiple distinct productions each academic year, welcomes numerous guest artists, collaborates across disciplines, and pursues unique opportunities that support student professional and educational development. SCCDance alumni are performers, choreographers, artistic directors, arts administrators, educators, program developers, studio owners, designers, dance therapists, dance photographers, and more. They also take their TCU education into prestigious graduate programs and fields such as medicine, physical therapy, counseling, journalism, and law. With a mission to develop educated dance artists prepared to become ethical professionals and leaders in the global dance community, the SCCDance is committed to preparing students to enter the field of dance and beyond.

Texas Christian University’s School for Classical & Contemporary Dance (SCCDance) houses a community of artist-scholars who value each individual’s unique pathway through the BFA: 20 full- and part-time faculty, 3 staff, and 5 musicians. The SCCDance faculty provide opportunities and experiences to support student growth: artistically, intellectually, creatively, and collaboratively. Whether in the studio, on the stage, or in the classroom, a BFA from the SCCDance prepares students with essential skills in dance and beyond. TCU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Fine Arts is home to six academic units: the School of Art, the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, the School of Music, the Department of Design, the Department of Fashion Merchandising, and the Department of Theatre. We offer 33 undergraduate degree programs and 24 advanced degree programs to prepare the next generation of creative leaders in the arts. Students in the College of Fine Arts study with renowned professors and guest artists, annually present more than 350 public performances, and regularly present art, design, and research in juried exhibitions and competitions.

University & Fort Worth Description:
About TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University is a world-class, private, Carnegie-classified national research university located in Fort Worth, Texas. Inspired by its mission and core values of integrity, engagement, community, and excellence, TCU consistently ranks among the top universities and colleges in the United States.

TCU’s campus — regularly ranked among the nation’s most beautiful — spans 302 acres in a primarily residential area just minutes from downtown.

The university comprises nine schools and colleges offering 117 areas of undergraduate study, 62 master’s level programs, and 37 areas of doctoral study. TCU is a leader across several disciplines, including health care, business, energy, and the arts. Total enrollment stands at 12,980, including 11,152 undergraduates and 1,828 graduate students. Students are supported by over 2,200 faculty and staff, including more than 700 full-time faculty members.

About Fort Worth

Fort Worth blends the approachable charm of a smaller city with the amenities, cultural energy, and distinctive personality of a major metro. As the nation’s 11th-largest city, with a rapidly growing population of more than 1 million, Fort Worth and TCU share a relationship that spans more than a century — one that continues to deepen as many Horned Frogs choose to stay after graduation, drawn by the region’s thriving job market. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area — the nation’s fourth-largest and a top tourism destination — Fort Worth earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report in 2025 as the No. 4 best big city to live in the United States.

Fort Worth offers an impressive array of cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities, anchored by three world-class art museums — the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall stands as one of the premier performance venues in the country. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike enjoy concerts, film festivals, and other cultural events at Sundance Square, Dickies Arena, Panther Island, and Near Southside venues.

Position Qualifications:

Required:

• terminal degree in Dance (e.g., MFA or PhD) or closely related field; or graduate degree in Dance or closely related field with professional experience
• administrative experience
• qualify for appointment at the rank of Associate and/or Full Professor with tenure in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance
• demonstrated record of effective leadership, teaching, and mentorship

Preferred:

• experience in strategic planning and visionary leadership for an R1 School of Dance
• experience with administrative responsibilities (e.g., budgets, records, reporting, programs, assessment, facilities) and experience in academic leadership (e.g., Chair, Director, Associate Chair, Program Director, Dean, or Associate Dean)
• excellent communication skills and experience with consensus-building
• record of program-building
• demonstrated fundraising experience
• record of success in recruiting, retaining, and mentoring faculty, staff, and students of all levels and ranks
• record of effective student-centered teaching and community-building
• record of excellence as a practicing dance artist or scholar
• experience building relationships with leaders and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally; representing and promoting Dance to other fields and constituencies within and beyond the university
• experience with DSA, NDEO, CORPS de Ballet International, IADMS, IABD, CODA, or other academic/professional organizations in Dance

Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Human Resources at [e-mail] or 817-257-7790. Other questions may be directed to the search committee co-chairs, Dr. Jessica Zeller, Professor of Dance, at [e-mail] or Dr. Marc Reed, Director of the TCU School of Music, at [e-mail].

Employment Values Statement:
Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.