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Location: Raleigh, NC
Essential Job Duties:
The Director of the Crafts Center at NC State University leads one of the largest university crafts centers in the United States. The Director reports to the Associate Dean & Executive Director of Arts NC State.
The Director of the Crafts Center will be responsible for but not limited to:
Strategic Leadership, Academic Engagement & Arts-Integrated Initiatives
- Develop and implement a strategic plan to realize a new vision for the Crafts Center, including restructuring overall programming to support the evolving mission and priorities of Arts NC State.
- Increase academic support and develop collaborative relationships across disciplines, departments, and colleges to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
- Advance arts-integrated research and student-focused programming aligned with Arts NC State's Art + Wellness and Art + Science initiatives, including the new ArtsRx program.
- Identify and develop opportunities that strengthen the Crafts Center as a creativity hub for high-impact, hands-on experiential learning, research, critical thinking, and well-being.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to integrate Crafts Center programs and resources into the broader academic experience.
- Manage and provide leadership to permanent staff and student employees, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and completion of required personnel processes.
- Coordinate the management, scheduling, and engagement of Crafts Center instructors to ensure high-quality instruction and meaningful impact across studios and programs.
- Lead and inspire staff, student employees, and instructors in support of the Crafts Center's strategic direction, programs, and operations.
- Coordinate appropriate staffing and management-level coverage to support classes, workshops, evening and weekend operations, and special events.
- Ensure required performance evaluations and other personnel responsibilities are completed for applicable employees.
- Develop and coordinate Crafts Center programs, classes, workshops, and related learning opportunities in collaboration with Arts NC State staff and campus partners.
- Curate and coordinate exhibitions, demonstrations, special events, and other programming that showcase craft, visual arts, interdisciplinary work, and student engagement.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with student organizations, campus partners, community organizations, guilds, artists, instructors, and other stakeholders.
- Assess programming and identify opportunities to enhance participation, impact, and alignment with the strategic direction of the Crafts Center and Arts NC State.
- Manage the Crafts Center budget in collaboration with the Arts NC State Business Officer, supporting the effective allocation and stewardship of financial resources.
- Monitor revenues, expenditures, and overall budget status throughout the fiscal year to support established financial and operational goals.
- Lead the production of annual reports, assessment reports, and related reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and progress toward established goals.
- Provide oversight of administrative processes and technology supporting class registration, sales, receipts, and other Crafts Center business operations in accordance with university requirements.
- Serve as the Crafts Center facilities liaison and oversee the maintenance and effective operation of studios, equipment, supplies, and facilities.
- Ensure Crafts Center operations, equipment, and facilities comply with applicable university, state, and federal policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
- Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of studio spaces to provide safe and functional environments for classes, workshops, exhibitions, and other programs.
- Identify facility, equipment, and operational needs and coordinate with appropriate university and Arts NC State partners to address maintenance, safety, and operational concerns.
- Represent the Crafts Center and Arts NC State at university and community meetings, functions, programs, and special events.
- Develop and maintain relationships with university and community stakeholders that support the mission and visibility of the Crafts Center.
- Participate in Arts NC State events and activities that strengthen awareness of and engagement with the Crafts Center.
- Maintain flexibility to support evening and weekend operations, special events, and other activities requiring the Director's participation.
Other Work/Responsibilities:
- Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.
Minimum Experience/Education:
- Master of Fine Arts or other terminal degree in a related area with a minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role in the arts.
Required Qualifications:
- Familiarity with and passion for crafts area(s) represented in the Crafts Center.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and develop teams.
- The ability to form collaborative relationships with other Arts NC State units, and departments and colleges across a large campus, as well as externally.
- Excellent organizational skills with sharp attention to detail.
- Ability to manage concurrent time-sensitive priorities.
- Superior verbal and written communication.
- Must be able to deal tactfully and effectively with multiple levels of internal staff, external patrons, instructors, and students.
- Budget management experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience as an effective and compassionate leader with experience leading organizational change.
- Experience with community engagement, arts programming, and curating exhibitions.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, consensus-building environment.
- Experience with interdisciplinary arts and arts-integrated research in a university setting.
- Experience with intentional arts and wellness practices and programming.
- Donor cultivation and development experience.
Required License or Certification:
- N/A
AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

