Full-Time Faculty/ Chair MFA Fashion Design Department School of Graduate Studies

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Full-Time Faculty/ Chair, MFA Fashion Design Department, School of Graduate Studies

Category:

MFA, Fashion Design

Department:

480 Fashion Design-Graduate

Locations:

New York, NY

Posted:

Sep 13, 2021

Closes:

Open Until Filled

Type:

Faculty Full Time

Position ID:

136664

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About Fashion Institute of Technology:

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), an internationally renowned college of art and design, business and technology, of the State University of New York, invites nominations and applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position in the MFA Fashion Design Department, School of Graduate Studies.

The Fashion Institute of Technology, a part of the State University of New York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for nearly 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are relevant to today's rapidly changing industries. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers more than 45 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace.

With close ties to industry, FIT draws faculty from the city's art, business, and design elite, and from the rich academic community of the region. The College continually seeks creative faculty members who are passionate about their field and demonstrate exceptional professional capability in the core competencies of instruction design, learning enrichment, globalism, and use of technology, as well as mastery of established and emerging industry practices.

A vital and growing part of FIT's rich educational mix, the School of Graduate Studies provides advanced professional education in seven disciplines closely tied to the college's mission, promotion in the post-baccalaureate study of business, art, fashion and design. The School is dedicated to advancing research in the creative industries and fostering collaboration and a dialogue that links faculty and students to outstanding professionals and practitioners.

Established in 2017, FIT's MFA Fashion Design program is based on the FIT campus in close proximity to New York's Garment District. Students enjoy the use of the program's newly-renovated, state-of-the art studios, work rooms and equipment. Students benefit from access to the world-renowned Museum at FIT, its archives and its curatorial staff. Classes and students take advantage of access to New York's museums and cultural offerings. The MFA Fashion Design program curriculum includes one international seminar that allows students to travel and explore fashion design, making and sustainability strategies. Many courses feature a wide array of international guest lecturers who provide experienced fashion industry perspective and critique to students in the program.

Mirroring the progressive direction of the fashion industry and global marketplace, the MFA Fashion Design Department is committed to diversity, inclusiveness and globalism. The program provides advanced academic and technical education and mentoring for fashion design career paths. Courses are developed and taught by academic and industry practitioners, and deliver key skill sets that prepare graduates to pursue careers launching their own brands, working within established brands or teaching in higher education institutions.

Job Description:

The School of Graduate Studies seeks a full-time faculty member and chair to lead and administer the MFA Fashion Design Department. The department offers courses in fashion creation and design as well as design communication, brand marketing, finance, retail, international supply chain strategies, production, fashion history and textiles, innovative technologies as well as sustainability, cultural appropriation, diversity and other important social impact issues affecting the global fashion industry. The ideal candidate will be an industry leader and educator in the fashion field, with teaching and administrative experience.

It is imperative that the candidate have the ability to teach multiple courses in the MFA program and have professional experience in the fashion industry. As Chairperson, the selected candidate will work with relevant parties to oversee adjunct faculty hiring, teaching assignments, curriculum development, student success, recruitment and admissions, studio facilities, fashion showcase and event coordination, external outreach, program planning and budgeting. The candidate will be expected to serve on committees as necessary, and must commit to advancing the department in ways that align with the goals of the FIT Strategic Plan. (http://www.fitnyc.edu/strategic-plan/index.php)

Accordingly, the ideal candidate will have a versatile and interdisciplinary outlook and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues, students, industry partners, administrators and external stakeholders to achieve program learning outcomes and advance the program's development.

The successful candidate will be a recognized thought leader in the fashion field, having made significant contributions through professional achievements, conference presentations, lectures, press, publications and the leadership of cross-functional global initiatives, projects and teams. The candidate will have a network of connections in the field, including international contacts in fashion brands, retailers, academic institutions, professional services, industry organizations and groups.

Requirements:

Specific Competencies

Successful candidates will excel in the following areas:

Globalism

Possess broad international knowledge of and interdisciplinary experience in the global fashion community.

Possess industry connections worldwide, through professional work experiences, conference presentations, fashion organizations, partnerships and networks.

Demonstrate ability to work effectively in international settings with colleagues from multicultural backgrounds.

Instructional Design

Demonstrate ability to develop and deliver course content within the fashion design program: fashion concept and collection development; the business of fashion and entrepreneurship; international supply chain; design communication; emerging technologies and/or relevant issues impacting the fashion industry.

Demonstrate ability to oversee the fashion design studio and manage the studio technician, state-of-the-art technology and specialized equipment necessary in the classroom environment.

Demonstrate a capacity for mentoring and leading advanced students through an intense and rigorous curriculum.

Demonstrate passion for the work and the ability to communicate effectively.

Demonstrate commitment to the field of fashion, design and related career paths, including connections to professional industry partners and companies, service providers and leadership organizations.

Learning Enrichment

Demonstrate a passion for learning with the ability to inspire interest, curiosity, and creativity in advanced students.

Demonstrate the use of a variety of instructional delivery methods that foster critical thinking and creative problem solving.

Demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary and experiential learning approaches.

Demonstrate the vision to build and advance the department through enhanced curricular approaches and regular assessment.

Demonstrate a commitment to facilitating industry networks, professional experience, and other real-world opportunities for students.

Demonstrate a commitment to enhancing student interaction, collaboration, and creativity in the classroom.

Possesses the ability to lead students in developing industry practice in the context of critical thinking, problem-solving, visual and verbal communication skills.

Professionalism

Demonstrate proven experience building, developing and leading teams in vision creation, strategy implementation and management of multi-faceted programs, brands or businesses

Maintain highly active engagement in the fashion industry, creative and/or academic activities relevant to fashion and design.

Demonstrate leadership in the field and maintain engagement with peers and colleagues, through professional networks, conference presentations and invited lectures.

Possess willingness to share professional contacts and opportunities to achieve department and college goals.

Demonstrate the ability to serve as a college representative on matters related to fashion and design, as well as issues related to the department and its mission.

Applies a wide variety of industry practices and topics in course contexts.

Technology

Demonstrate a commitment to innovation and a high level of technological skills, knowledge and approaches to promote and advance the program.

Demonstrate ability to communicate through technology and to adapt delivery of course content and management using technology.

Demonstrate a commitment to building expertise and leading students in the development and maintenance of technological skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates should have a terminal degree (MFA, MBA or PhD), a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the fashion industry, significant teaching or related presentation experience, strong experience in academic and/or industry leadership and management, and experience in mentoring the development of fashion collection development and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with a record of relevant fashion industry leadership and teaching experience at the graduate level.

This position will be required to constantly read and comprehend, occasionally perform calculations, constantly verbally communicate, frequently analyze, and constantly write. The working conditions for this position will be any combination of the classroom, lab, and/or office space. Certain roles may be required to handle machinery and chemicals. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, tenure-track position beginning as early as Spring 2022. Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary and appointment rank will be based on education level and experience.

Link to FIT

Benefits for Full-Time Faculty

Application Instructions:

Please note that a background check is required for appointment to this position.

For consideration, please provide:

Letter of interest clearly indicating your qualifications for the position

Professional resumé/Curriculum Vitae

A minimum of three professional references, including names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail contact information.

Please note due that due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to contact each applicant individually. Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: www.fitnyc.edu.

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, national origin, gender, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals.

The College reserves the right to select one or more candidates after having been duly reviewed and presented to the President in conformance with the provisions of Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Company info

Fashion Institute of Technology
Website : http://www.fitnyc.suny.edu