Vice President of Academic Affairs

New York Academy of Art; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Academy of Art seeks a Vice President of Academic Affairs to serve as chief academic officer. The role provides strategic leadership for all academic programs, faculty, and initiatives, reporting to the President and participating as a senior leader.

The VP advances academic excellence, student success, faculty development, and curriculum innovation. The VP oversees MFA and CFA programs, leads accreditation efforts, and ensures alignment with the Academy's mission and strategic

Qualifications

• Distinguished record of achievement as an artist, educator, curator, scholar, or arts leader.
• Advanced credentials in studio art or related field.
• Significant leadership experience in higher education, preferably in an arts institution.
• Experience supervising faculty and academic staff.
• Proven ability to lead curriculum development, assessment, and innovation.
• Experience with accreditation processes (MSCHE, NASAD, or comparable).
• Ability to drive strategic initiatives and organizational change.
• Commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and student success.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all academic programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate on curriculum development, assessment, and reform for MFA and CFA programs.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring, evaluation, development, and succession planning.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing academic culture that supports teaching and artistic practice.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and lead institutional effectiveness initiatives.
• Oversee academic planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Promote student success, retention, and degree completion through assessment practices.
• Develop partnerships with peer institutions and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadersh ip in higher education

Curriculum development

Assessment & accreditation

Strategic initiative leadership

Faculty supervision

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Communication & collaboration

Organizational change

Education

Advanced academic credentials in studio art or related discipline

Job description

The Vice President of Academic Affairs serves as the New York Academy of Art's chief academic officer and provides strategic leadership for all academic programs, faculty, and educational initiatives.

Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the senior leadership team, the Vice President is responsible for advancing academic excellence, student success, faculty development, curriculum innovation, and institutional effectiveness.

The Vice President oversees the Academy's Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Certificate of Fine Arts (CFA) programs; leads curriculum development, assessment, and reform; manages accreditation and academic planning; and ensures that academic programs remain aligned with the Academy's mission and strategic priorities.

The position provides leadership for all full-time, part-time, and adjunct faculty, including recruitment, evaluation, mentoring, and professional development.

The Vice President also oversees key academic support functions, including Student Services, the Registrar, the Library, and Institutional Accreditation, ensuring a coordinated and student-centered approach to academic operations and compliance.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic leader with a distinguished artistic practice and a strong record of achievement in higher education, faculty leadership, curriculum development, and organizational management.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all academic programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Faculty Chair of the Academy’s MFA and CFA programs and MFA Faculty Committee to lead curriculum development, assessment, and reform to ensure alignment with the Academy's mission and educational objectives.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, hiring, evaluation, development, and succession planning for full-time, part-time, and adjunct faculty.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing academic culture that supports excellence in teaching, learning, and artistic practice.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and lead accreditation, assessment, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.2
• Oversee academic planning, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Promote student success, retention, and degree completion through effective academic support and assessment practices.
• Provide administrative oversight for Student Services, the Registrar, the Library, and Institutional Accreditation.
• Develop partnerships with peer institutions, cultural organizations, and external stakeholders that strengthen the Academy's academic profile.
• Partner closely with the Director of Admissions & Recruitment to develop enrollment strategies that support the Academy's mission, uphold academic standards, and achieve
• Provide academic leadership throughout the admissions process by participating in portfolio reviews, applicant evaluations, admissions committee deliberations, and the development of admissions policies and standards.
• Ensure consistency and excellence in the evaluation of applicants by maintaining portfolio review standards, admissions criteria, and faculty calibration throughout the
• Represent the Academy at recruitment events, portfolio reviews, accepted student programs, open houses, alumni events, and other public-facing initiatives that support student recruitment and institutional visibility.
• Support the professional development and long-term success of Academy alumni by working collaboratively with the Alumni Association of the New York Academy of Art (AANYAA) to strengthen alumni engagement, mentorship opportunities, professional programming, residencies, and career development initiatives.
• Serve as liaison to the Academic Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Collaborate with the President and senior leadership team on institutional planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives.
• Represent the Academy in academic, professional, and public settings.
• Provide advice and support for the Academy’s Continuing Education/Academy Everywhere programs

Qualifications

• Distinguished record of achievement as an artist, educator, curator, scholar, or arts leader.
• Advanced academic credentials in studio art or a related discipline.
• Significant academic leadership experience in higher education, preferably at the
• Experience supervising faculty and academic staff.
• Demonstrated success in curriculum development, assessment, and academic innovation.
• Experience with accreditation processes, including MSCHE, NASAD, or comparable
• Proven ability to lead strategic initiatives and organizational change.
• Commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success.3

Reporting Relationship

The Vice President of Academic Affairs reports directly to the President and serves as a member of the Academy's senior leadership team.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $150,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Academy offers a competitive benefits package and the opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the future of the nation's premier graduate school of figurative and contemporary art.

This is a full-time position with a five-day workweek. The Vice President is expected to be on campus at least three days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week, subject to change based on institutional needs. The position also requires occasional evening and weekend commitments, including recruitment events, Academy open houses, alumni programs, and other institutional activities.

About the New York Academy of Art

Founded in 1982, the New York Academy of Art is a graduate school of fine art dedicated to technical training, critical discourse, and the development of contemporary artists grounded in the study of the human figure.

Located in the heart of Tribeca in New York City, the Academy offers a rigorous Master of Fine Arts program, a Certificate of Fine Arts program, and a vibrant community of artists, faculty, alumni, trustees, and supporters.

The Academy is committed to fostering artistic excellence, intellectual inquiry, and professional development within a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Through a unique combination of studio practice, art historical study, and professional preparation, the Academy equips emerging artists with the skills and vision necessary to succeed in today's art world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The New York Academy of Art is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community. The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.4

The Academy encourages applications from individuals whose experience, teaching, creative practice, scholarship, and service will contribute to a vibrant and inclusive educational