Arlington, USA
Director, School of Architecture
at The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is seeking a director to lead its School of Architecture in Arlington, USA.
Job summary
The School of Architecture (SOA) in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at University of Texas (UT) Arlington invites applications for the position of the director, School of Architecture, at the rank of professor with tenure.
We seek a director of the school of architecture to embrace the significant potential offered by the resources of a Carnegie R1 research university and those of a rapidly growing region to educate architects and designers. The new RISE 100 initiative will bring 100 tenure-stream faculty to UT Arlington over the next two years who are leaders in their areas of expertise. The School of Architecture at UT Arlington is the only NAAB accredited institution in the North Texas region and has augmented an esteemed tradition of preparing students for professional practice with cutting-edge research agendas. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the School of Architecture takes pride in its diverse student body and growing number of first-generation students. Its faculty are engaged professionals and researchers who reflect global diversity. The new director is expected to build upon the strong foundation of the school while experiencing the opportunity of charting its future with the university president, provost and the recently appointed CAPPA dean.
In partnership with faculty and students, the director of the School of Architecture will establish a clear vision to advance the school. This vision should foster a range of research and creative activities, encourage interdisciplinary endeavours, engage the broader professional community and advocate for the school.
In accordance with USCIS regulations, successful applicants must be legally able to accept work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
CBC requirement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the university.
Benefits at UTA
We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the university.
To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the this link.
Essential duties and responsibilities
The director of the School of Architecture will provide strategic leadership in planning for the future of the SOA and lead its reaccreditation process. The director will manage the hiring of faculty and staff, review workload policies, mentor tenure-stream and tenured faculty, support teaching effectiveness measures, as well as ensure appropriate staffing for satellite sites (eg. Community Design Build Lab).
In partnership with the staff, faculty and college leadership, the director will support the management of GRA/GTA assignments and distribution of fellowships, manage graduate admissions, oversee financial packages for recruitment and strengthen partnerships with high schools and community colleges offering design/architecture in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region.
As a collaborative leader, the director will lead curriculum development initiatives, coordinate teaching assignments and allocation of studio and office space, and coordinate with unit leaders of the college’s other department and programmes, research centres, consortia and research initiatives. The SOA is seeking to expand the existing interdisciplinary discourse that already interfaces with the professional and industrial community.
As the leader for the SOA, the director will work with the UTA Development Office in the cultivation of gifts and other resources for SOA, including scholarships, endowments and special initiatives.
Required qualifications
Credentials enabling appointment as a tenured professor with the School of Architecture include a professional Master’s degree in architecture from a NAAB accredited programme or international equivalent, plus licensure, and demonstrated excellence and national recognition of academic achievements in design, research and creative work.
The ideal candidate should have a strong commitment to innovative architectural and interior design teaching and curriculum development and experience leading organisational development and culture building, as well as familiarity with the processes related to working in a large, complex institution. The candidate should be an outstanding collaborator and relationship builder with exceptional communication and people skills.
Preferred qualifications
A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary and/or international programmes is preferable. It is beneficial to have a history of building, enhancing and sustaining partnerships within communities ranging from university to national, including academic, professional, industry and/or governmental partners and a record of implementing real-world projects.
Department and college/school information
The school comprises both architecture and interior design programmes within the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA). CAPPA also includes the Department of Public Affairs and Planning, as well as a landscape architecture component.
CAPPA has forged numerous partnerships throughout the DFW Metropolitan area and include: the Arlington Urban Design Centre (AUDC), Centre for Advanced Design, Research and Evaluation (CADRE), Centre for Metropolitan Density (CFMD), Centre for Transportation, Equity, Decisions and Dollars (CTEDD), Digital Architecture Research Consortium (DARC), David Dillon Centre for Texas Architecture (DDC) and the Institute of Urban Studies (IUS).
The School of Architecture is situated in a robust design community with many national headquarters of firms. The AIA Dallas chapter is the sixth largest of over 200 in the nation. The combined Dallas and Fort Worth chapters of the AIA represent one of the nation’s largest concentrations of architects. The Texas Society of Architects is the third largest AIA regional component, on track to be number two by midcentury. Historically the director has served on the boards of each AIA Chapter, and alumni of the SOA are well represented in professional leadership throughout the state, particularly in DFW.
The School of Architecture offers a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design (CIDA and NASAD accredited), Master of Architecture (NAAB accredited and STEM designated), Master of Science in Building Technology and an undergraduate minor in Architectural History. The College of Engineering, in conjunction with the SOA, offers a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. The SOA has an established record as a design school with strengths in community-engaged design including a robust design-build programme. The school is home to several active and large student organisations including AIAS, Latinos in Architecture (LiA) and NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students).
The School of Architecture is active throughout the region thanks to a wide range of events sponsored by UT Arlington, Dallas Architectural Forum, Dallas Architecture and Design Exchange (AD-EX), AIA Chapters in Fort Worth and Dallas and the Institute for Humanities’ annual Festival of the City, among others.
University information
The University of Texas at Arlington is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over seven million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment and cultural activities. UTA is a comprehensive teaching, research and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. The university is committed to providing access and ensuring student success and to a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialisation of discoveries by our community of scholars. With an enrolment of more than 40,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R1 institution. UTA ranks No 4 nationally in Military Times’ annual “Best for Vets: Colleges” list and is among the top 30 performers nationwide for promoting social mobility of its graduates (US News and World Report, 2023). UTA is designated by the US Department of Education as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and it has one of the top 30 most ethnically diverse undergraduate student body in the United States (US News and World Report, 2023). Its approximately 270,000 alumni, including some who occupy leadership positions at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas, contribute to UTA’s $22.2 billion annual economic impact on Texas.
Furthermore, UTA is poised to experience widespread growth in the near future. The university recently launched the first phase of its RISE 100 initiative aimed at recruiting 100 new tenure-system faculty to amplify research standing and position UTA as a leader in key scholarly areas; more details are available here. The successful candidate for this position will have the opportunity to join UTA during an exciting period of growth and contribute as the university broadens its impact.
Special instructions to applicant
Please apply via this link and submit the following materials:
- CV
- cover letter briefly describing interest in the position and a vision for professional architectural education, along with career experience and goals
- samples of professional and student work, no more than 20 pages or a link to a website
- contact information for three references
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Questions may be addressed to Dr Douglas Klahr.
For more information about UTA, please visit this website.
EEO statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the university community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information and/or veteran status. The university also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination or testify for, assist in or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees and students to ensure the university’s compliance with this policy.
ADA accommodations
The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email us.