Creative Writing Department Head en Ringling

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Job Description Summary

Job Description

Beginning August 2026

Creative Writing Department Head

Full-Time Faculty Appointment with Benefits

Institution

Founded in 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design is a private professional college fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Ringling College of Art and Design’s primary mission is to prepare students to be discerning visual thinkers and ethical practitioners in their chosen area of art and design and to provide an intensive professional education in the visual arts. Ringling College has taken a leadership role in the integration of high technology within art and design curricula. The institution’s strategic plan positions the College for continued growth and development. It is authorized to award the BFA in 10 arts disciplines and the BA in two degrees - Visual Studies and Business of Art and Design. The residential campus is near downtown Sarasota. A cultural center of Florida, Sarasota is 65 miles south of Tampa and 75 miles north of Fort Myers.  Additional information about the College is available at www.ringling.edu.

Graduates of the 120-credit Creative Writing BFA have the technical competence and rhetorical fluency to succeed within the possibilities that print, film, games, digital media, and new technologies offer.  Ringling College of Art and Design is seeking an experienced creative writing faculty member and administrator to undertake responsibilities for the academic leadership of the Creative Writing BFA program combined with related leadership of First-Year Writing/general writing courses that are part of every degree program at the College. The Department Head is expected to be responsible for the well-being and effective operation of all facets of the program. Through a strong, balanced commitment, the Department Head will lead the program and prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration and enhanced engagement with the studio disciplines where possible. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, this is a full-time faculty position with a reduced teaching load, a 10-month appointment and a stipend for administrative responsibilities. Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.  Appointment is anticipated to begin August 2026.

Education and Experience

(Required Qualifications) Include Evidence of:

• A terminal degree in creative writing or similar advanced writing-related degree.
• Evidence of administrative capabilities and demonstrated experience in exercising leadership and consultative decision-making at the departmental level in higher education.
• A strong academic record with at least five years of college level teaching excellence, and a noteworthy creative writing resume including traditionally published works of creative writing.
• A viable understanding of curricular issues, budget activities, and enrollment data.
• A clear collegial ability to communicate and work effectively with faculty, students and administrators.

(Preferred Qualifications) Include Evidence of:

• A PhD in Creative Writing.
• Ability to teach within genres like fantasy, horror, sci-fi, comics/graphic novels.
• Awareness of both current and evolving issues facing writing and curricular strategies to best address them.
• A respected record as a teacher with empathy and understanding for the role of teaching.
• Skills as a consensus builder able to combine the interests of differing viewpoints.
• Experience recruiting and mentoring adjuncts and new faculty.
• The ability to understand, accommodate, and support a wide variety of directions and interests within the curriculum.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Successful experience in the design and delivery of academic programs, planning and budgeting, program assessment, articulation and transfer review.  
• Capacity to increase the national reputation of the College.
• Commitment to the integration and evolution of the program and institutional goals.
• A commitment to collaborative teaching, outreach, scholarship, and service.
• A demonstrated interest in art and design and in working in an art and design environment.
• Experience working with a diverse student population, including English as a Second Language.

(Special Instructions to Applicants)

Required materials include cover letter incorporating experiences that address the position requirements, resume or CV, employment history, contact information of three references (names, titles, email and telephone numbers), and an unofficial transcript copy of the most relevant degree. Official transcripts will be will be required upon hire. Candidates may be asked to submit additional materials if needed. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

General questions regarding the job application process may be emailed to [email protected].

Apply on-line to https://www.ringling.edu/hr/

Ringling College of Art and Design is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  The College provides equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to sex, age, gender, color, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.