School Director-Management

Position Summary

The Director serves as the chief executive leader of the School, providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership in support of excellence in teaching, research, creative activity, student success, and professional and community engagement. The Director advances the School’s role and visibility within a leading public research university.

About the Role

Central to this role is working in partnership with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders to provide transparent and future-focused leadership that supports academic excellence, shared governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and vision for the School in alignment with MSU and College priorities, collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and college leadership to advance shared goals.
• Manage the School’s budget and resources responsibly and strategically, including financial planning, personnel allocations, facilities, technology, and external funding oversight.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment that values differing perspectives, constructive dialogue, and shared governance.
• Oversee personnel processes including reappointment, promotion, tenure, and advancement reviews in collaboration with college leadership and according to university policies and procedures.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and opportunities that advance emerging areas of journalism, digital storytelling, and professional practice.
• Provide leadership and oversight for undergraduate and graduate programs in journalism, media, and related fields.
• Collaborate with faculty to advance innovative, future-focused curricula responsive to changes in journalism, technology, media industries, and audience engagement.
• Promote academic rigor, experiential learning, cross-platform storytelling, community-engaged learning, and professional preparation.
• Support assessment, accreditation, and continuous improvement efforts to maintain high standards of academic quality and relevance.
• Advocate for infrastructure, technology, and resources supporting scholarly productivity, innovation and professional dissemination.
• Foster a student-centered learning environment that promotes belonging, engagement, access, and academic success.
• Strengthen partnerships with media organizations, alumni, professional associations, and community stakeholders to advance the School’s mission and strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Required Degree: Doctorate - Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a closely related field.
• Minimum Requirements: Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, or a closely related field. Record of achievement commensurate with appointment as a tenured faculty member. Three years or more of demonstrated administrative or leadership experience in higher education. Demonstrated effectiveness in financial and operational management, including budget oversight, personnel management, and accreditation or program review processes. (e.g., ACEJMC). Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with demonstrated ability to build trust and work collaboratively across constituencies. Demonstrated understanding of contemporary journalism, media ethics, emerging technologies, and the evolving digital media environment. Commitment to inclusive, transparent, collaborative leadership.
• Desired Qualifications: Experience with advancement, donor relations, or partnership development. Understanding of land-grant and R1 research missions.

Application Materials

• A detailed cover letter that addresses the qualifications and expectations of the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Names and contact information of three professional references.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.