Boston University’s College of Communication invites applications for the Chair of its Film and Television Department with a start date of July 1, 2024. We seek a colleague with a professional track record in their area of film and/or television and a distinct vision for the future. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the innovations necessary to maintain the highest educational standards in an era of dramatic change across the entire media landscape. We are especially eager to recruit a colleague who supports our institutional commitment to ensuring BU is an environment that is inclusive, equitable, and diverse and where all constituents can thrive.

The Department is comprised of a comprehensive program that offers a BS in Film and Television to over six hundred undergraduate majors, along with four MS and MFA graduate programs.

The Chair should have a record of administrative experience in the Film and Television industry or in academia. The Chair will work with other members of the College of Communication’s leadership team to build on the already excellent reputation of our programs and move the department to the forefront of Film and Television education.

Boston University is committed to fostering a diverse university community within a supportive and respectful environment. From its earliest days, Boston University has opened its doors to women and people from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. We believe the diversity of our faculty, students, and staff is essential to our success as a leading research university and is an integral component of institutional excellence. The Chair will be appointed at the rank of Professor of the Practice and will provide leadership for the department as well as teach one undergraduate or graduate course per semester.

This is a non-tenure track appointment with an initial three-year, renewable contract.

Required Skills

We seek candidates with these qualities:

• A record of sustained excellence.
• Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor of the Practice at Boston University: “A distinguished practitioner in their respective profession whose record of accomplishment leads to an international or, as appropriate, national reputation in his or her field.”
• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in promoting diversity and inclusion in an organization.
• A familiarity with or appreciation for curriculum design, assessment, budgeting, and the day-to-day operations of a university program.
• A commitment to a wholistic Film and TV education that includes production, studies, screenwriting, and the evolving media landscape.
• An understanding of and appreciation for our department as it currently stands and a vision for where the chair would be instrumental in taking it in the future.

Applications should include a letter of interest, including a statement of teaching philosophy with a discussion of how our program can best prepare our students in a rapidly changing industry.

A CV and the names and contact information for three references are also required.

Electronic applications should be sent to the Department Administrator, Rachael Kelley at: ftsearch@bu.edu, with attachments (Word or PDF).

Questions may be addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Sheila Sitomer: ssitomer@bu.edu

Applications are due November 1, 2023. Review of materials will begin and continue until the position is filled. Proposed start date is July 1, 2024. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

Do not apply through the BU Careers Website. Please direct all applications and inquiries to the above contact. Applications submitted through the BU Careers Website will not be reviewed.

Established in 1947, the College of Communication (COM) at Boston University is a large college with departments specializing in Film and Television, Journalism, Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations. COM’s student population exceeds 2000 students annually, including undergraduate and Master’s level students. The college integrates a strong liberal arts core with a heavy focus on preparing students for careers as communication professionals. Our faculty is a blend of traditional academicians and widely experienced professionals. Located in the “hub of education” and a major media market, Boston University’s College of Communication offers prospective faculty members a wealth of opportunities for collaborative efforts in academic and professional spheres.

BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidate’s current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employer’s applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” after execution of an offer letter.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience

We seek candidates with these qualities:

• A record of sustained excellence.
• Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Professor of the Practice at Boston University: “A distinguished practitioner in their respective profession whose record of accomplishment leads to an international or, as appropriate, national reputation in his or her field.”
• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated accomplishments in promoting diversity and inclusion in an organization.
• A familiarity with or appreciation for curriculum design, assessment, budgeting, and the day-to-day operations of a university program.
• A commitment to a wholistic Film and TV education that includes production, studies, screenwriting, and the evolving media landscape.
• An understanding of and appreciation for our department as it currently stands and a vision for where the chair would be instrumental in taking it in the future.

Applications should include a letter of interest, including a statement of teaching philosophy with a discussion of how our program can best prepare our students in a rapidly changing industry.

A CV and the names and contact information for three references are also required.

Electronic applications should be sent to the Department Administrator, Rachael Kelley at: ftsearch@bu.edu, with attachments (Word or PDF).

Questions may be addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Sheila Sitomer: ssitomer@bu.edu

Applications are due November 1, 2023. Review of materials will begin and continue until the position is filled. Proposed start date is July 1, 2024. All inquiries will be kept confidential.

Do not apply through the BU Careers Website. Please direct all applications and inquiries to the above contact. Applications submitted through the BU Careers Website will not be reviewed.

Established in 1947, the College of Communication (COM) at Boston University is a large college with departments specializing in Film and Television, Journalism, Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations. COM’s student population exceeds 2000 students annually, including undergraduate and Master’s level students. The college integrates a strong liberal arts core with a heavy focus on preparing students for careers as communication professionals. Our faculty is a blend of traditional academicians and widely experienced professionals. Located in the “hub of education” and a major media market, Boston University’s College of Communication offers prospective faculty members a wealth of opportunities for collaborative efforts in academic and professional spheres.

BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidate’s current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employer’s applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” after execution of an offer letter.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.