Founding Director of Commercial Music and Worship Arts

Job description

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU. ‌ Position Type: Full-time faculty appointment, tenure-track eligible (terminal degree or equivalent professional experience required) Start Date: Spring 2026 Position Summary The Department of Music at Abilene Christian University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty member to serve as the Founding Director of Commercial Music and Worship Arts. This position involves an initial program-building phase, followed by ongoing leadership, teaching, and administrative responsibilities once the program is launched, pending new program accreditation approval. The successful candidate will bring significant professional experience in the music industry and/or worship leadership and will be eager to help shape an innovative program that prepares students for careers in music while advancing ACU’s mission as a Christ-centered academic community. During the development and launch phase, the candidate will serve as Founding Director and then will transition to an ongoing leadership role (e.g., Associate Director or Division Head) as the program matures. A graduate degree is preferred; however, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and a record of distinguished professional achievement may be considered as meeting the equivalent of a terminal degree. The program is scheduled to welcome its first students in Fall 2027. Responsibilities Phase I: Program Development Lead faculty and industry discussions to design and implement curriculum in commercial music and worship arts. Oversee facilities renovations, including the design and equipping of teaching, rehearsal, and recording spaces. Guide the purchase and integration of industry-standard equipment and technologies. Collaborate with admissions and marketing to recruit prospective students into the new program. Establish partnerships with industry professionals, churches, and alumni networks to support the program’s launch. During the program development phase, devote full-time effort to launching the program; no teaching responsibilities are assigned during this phase. Ongoing Program Leadership Direct the Commercial Music and Worship Arts programs, including assessment, student advising, and coordination of internships and industry experiences. Teach a regular faculty load in areas of expertise (e.g., music production, songwriting, commercial performance, music business, music ministry, worship leadership), with a two-course annual reduction in recognition of administrative responsibilities. Maintain active professional engagement in the music industry and/or worship communities. Collaborate with colleagues in music, film, and other disciplines to foster interdisciplinary initiatives. Work closely with colleagues at off-campus, experiential learning sites. Support the mission of ACU through Christ-centered teaching, service, and mentoring of students. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in music, music industry, worship studies, or a closely related field. Professional experience in the music industry and/or worship leadership. Expertise in one or more areas such as: Music production and recording Songwriting and arranging Live sound and performance technology Music business/entrepreneurship Worship leadership and ministry Commercial performance (instrumental or vocal) Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills. Commitment to the values of Christian higher education. Preferred Qualifications Graduate degree in music, music industry, worship, or a related field. Demonstrated success in higher education teaching. Experience with curriculum development and program administration. Established industry/professional networks Application Instructions Completed applications will include: Letter of interest highlighting qualifications for the position. (Upload to "Resume/Cover Letter" Section) Curriculum vitae. (Upload to "Resume/Cover Letter" Section) Contact information for three professional references. (Either include on CV/Cover Letter, or Upload as a separate document to "Resume/Cover Letter" Section) Links to recent professional work. (performances, productions, recordings, etc.) Statement of teaching philosophy. Statement on the relationship of Christian faith and teaching. Statement of personal faith journey. Academic/professional letter of recommendation. Letter of recommendation from a church leader. Copies of transcripts for academic work (official transcripts required upon hire). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law. ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.