Job Description

The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts invites applications for the position of the Kortschak Endowed Division Chair of the Division of Film and Television Production —the School’s largest academic unit, comprising over 800 students and 110 faculty members. The Division offers three degree programs (BA, BFA, and MFA) in Cinematic Arts with an emphasis in Film & Television Production.

With a mission to prepare students for a dynamic and evolving media landscape, the Division provides rigorous training in both the technical and aesthetic dimensions of cinematic storytelling. Our curriculum supports specialization in six core disciplines—Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, and Sound—while integrating emerging production technologies and platforms to prepare students for leadership across traditional and next-generation media industries.

The Chair serves as the Division’s chief academic and administrative officer and reports to the Dean of the School of Cinematic Arts. This is a leadership position that requires an individual with a distinguished career in film and television production, significant academic or professional stature, and the vision to shape the future of one of the most comprehensive production programs in higher education.

Responsibilities:

•           Provide strategic, collaborative, and transparent leadership to faculty, staff, and students.

•           Oversee all academic operations of the Division, including faculty hiring, mentoring, and development; course and service assignments; and annual merit review processes.

•           Guide and support the Division’s Steering Committee to promote shared governance, academic excellence, and a forward-thinking vision.

•           Teach core courses in the Division and maintain a visible presence within the academic community.

•           Lead curricular initiatives to ensure alignment with industry trends, technological innovations, and student needs.

•           Promote student success through thoughtful recruitment, retention, and advising strategies.

•           Manage the Division’s finances, resources, and facilities in partnership with the Division’s administrator.

•           Represent the Division to internal and external stakeholders, including industry partners, donors, and alumni.

•           Collaborate with School leadership on fundraising, strategic planning, and the advancement of institutional priorities.

Minimum Education:

•            College degree or professional equivalent

Minimum Experience:

•           Minimum of 10 years of significant professional experience in the film and television industry.

•           Prior teaching experience in higher education.

Preferred Education:

•            Graduate degree or professional equivalent

Preferred Experience:

•           A professional profile commensurate with an appointment at an advanced academic rank.

•           A track record of artistic, scholarly, or industry accomplishments that have made a meaningful impact in the field.

•           Demonstrated experience in academic leadership, including curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and organizational management.

•           Familiarity with evolving production practices and a commitment to integrating them into curriculum and instruction.

•           Experience with budgetary oversight, strategic planning, program assessment, and accreditation processes.

•           A demonstrated ability to foster collaboration and innovation across diverse disciplines and constituencies.

•           Commitment to shared governance, inclusive excellence, and academic integrity.

The ideal candidate will bring a dynamic vision for cinematic education in the 21st century, a passion for mentorship and community-building, and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of storytelling across cultures and media platforms.

The core salary range for this position is $125,000 - $175,000 per year. This is a 9-month full-time tenured position.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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