Refer a Friend or Colleague

The Rudi. E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis invites applications for its next Director, who will begin serving on July 1, 2025. The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music (RESSOM) is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, housed in the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in music as an educator, performer, or schola.


• Hold or qualify as for the rank of Full Professor.


• Earned a doctorate in music or a master's degree in music plus equivalent distinguished national/international accomplishments.


• Significant administrative experience, including budget management, faculty and staff development, and collaboration with multiple departments and units.


• Strong professional record of fundraising and donor development


• Demonstrated commitment to working with an inclusive student population and supporting students' ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and collective mission, vision, and operating standards of the School of Music and the College of Communication and Fine Arts.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the administrative head of the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music


• Hire and manage RESSOM staff.


• Conduct annual faculty reviews and provide recommendations for promotion/tenure.


• Develop strategies for the sustainable growth and development of RESSOM in alignment with the College and the University's Strategic Plan.


• Establish a culture in which meaningful musical instruction, research, creative activity, and service thrive.


• Actively pursue external funding to elevate the RESSOM and support its programs and initiatives.


• Develop community partnerships.


• Coordinate academic affairs for RESSOM, including integrating programs, improving curricula, recruiting students, supporting student success, and assisting with issues of academic integrity.

School of Music and the University of Memphis

The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music has an 110-year history of producing successful and accomplished music professionals. Anchored in the culturally diverse and musically rich, cosmopolitan city of Memphis, the School's inclusive programs inspire, train, and launch sustainable careers for musicians, scholars, and the industry professionals of tomorrow. Instructing over 400 students in 30-degree concentration areas, the School's 70 full- and part-time faculty remain focused on student success inside and outside the classroom. Degree areas include the following:

• Music, BA


• Compisition, BM, MM, DMA


• Commercial Music + Songwriting, BM


• Conducting, MM, DMA, AD


• Jazz + Studio Music, BM, MM


• Music Business, BM


• Music Education BM, MM, MAT, PhD


• Music Therapy, BM


• Musicology BM, MM, PhD


• Pedagogy, MM


• Performance, BM, MM, DMA, AD


• Recording Technology, BM

With the opening of the new Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center in 2023, the school has solidified its place as the comprehensive School of Music in the region. The 82,000 square foot Music Center boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a 900+ seat concert hall. The University of Memphis (UofM) is a comprehensive, internationally recognized, urban public research university preparing students for success in a diverse, innovative, global environment. Student success, service, innovation, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, and accountability are core values at the University of Memphis.

The University of Memphis has a 21,000+ student population, approximately 2,500 employees, including 900+ faculty, and is classified as "R1" or "Doctoral: Very High Research Activity and Community Engaged" per the Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Learning. With a focus on research and service benefitting communities locally and across the globe, we are home to nationally designated centers of excellence in cybersecurity research and education, transportation workforce development, mobile health data, and five Tennessee centers of research excellence. The University of Memphis also has highly rated on-campus early childhood, elementary, middle, and high schools.

Full-time benefits include:

• 14 total paid holidays to include Christmas Day & six administrative days


• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance


• Generous retirement contributions (3.87% - 9% depending on the selected plan); State of TN $2 for $1 match on 401(k) plans (up to $100 match for $100 contribution)


• Tuition discounts for you and your eligible spouse/dependent(s)


• Vacation, if applicable


• Sick Leave (Exempt & non-exempt accrue 7.5 hours per month)


• Paid Parental Leave (6 weeks after one year of service)


• State longevity bonus ($100 per year for each year of service after three years of eligible service. Maximum of $3000)


• Startup funds & moving allowances


• Faculty handbook: www.memphis.edu/facultyhandbook 

Optional benefits include:

• Short and long-term disability


• Supplemental life insurance


• Pre-tax insurance deductions


• Employee recognition programs & professional development opportunities


• On-site conveniences such as ATM machines, post office, Tiger Bike program, recreation center, Ride Share carpool program, Eye Center, multiple on-campus dining locations, a community garden, etc.


• Numerous TigerPerks including discounted athletics tickets: www.memphis.edu/tigerperks