Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications is seeking a Director of the Park Center for Independent Media (PCIM) to oversee the operations and coordinate all activities of the Center. The Park Center for Independent Media initiates, facilitates, and supports research, curriculum development, and national and regional conversations that explore and enhance new models of independent media production and distribution. PCIM provides new opportunities for the development and distribution of media forms that contribute to and are supportive of a more informed and engaged citizenry. Its focus includes work produced and distributed within legacy media channels for traditional audiences, as well as emergent forms of media production and practice that contest and challenge those traditions.
The successful candidate will also have the courtesy rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Journalism and will coordinate with the Chair of the department to teach three courses per year, as well as engage in school and college-wide initiatives that align with the mission and activities of the Park Center for Independent Media.
As Director of PCIM, the successful candidate will support the Center’s national profile and enhance its national and international reputation; facilitate courses and/or workshops on US-based independent media during the academic year and supervise summer independent/progressive media internships; manage the judging and presentation of the annual Izzy Award that recognizes outstanding contributors advancing independent journalism; program the Center’s independent journalism media speaker’s series; and conduct research in independent media.
Job Responsibilities:
1. Administer the academic, organizational, and public activities of the Park Center for Independent Media in collaboration with the Dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications.
2. Maintain and increase the Center’s national and international profile as a vector for discussions about independent media sectors; heighten its reputation among journalism schools and the professional journalism media community nationwide through media interviews, publication of articles, public presentations, the Center’s website, social media, and outreach to local, national, and international media organizations and journalists.
3. Supervise and coordinate the independent media internship program; develop internships with diverse media organizations. Mentor students during the internship search process. Serve as advisor to students in internships. Explore opportunities to integrate students in the Park Scholar program within the scope of the academic and organizational mandates of the Center.
4. Oversee the selection, judging, and presentation process of the annual Izzy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Independent Media as well as the I.F. Stone Hall of Fame.
5. Work with chair of the Journalism Department to develop and teach three courses per academic year in the areas of independent, community, and non-corporate media and journalism, and media literacy.
6. Develop, demonstrate, and promote multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and respectful College community. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a college priority, communicate to employees an expectation of behavior that is civil and inclusive when interacting with all staff, faculty, students, and visitors and promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work and living environment.
7. Establish long and short-range program goals with the Dean and objectives to ensure overall effectiveness and national impact of the Center. Seek to develop further integration with the Ithaca College academic community.
8. Maintain a national profile for the Center, the Park School and Ithaca College by producing articles for publication in scholarly and trade journals, magazines, newspapers, and web sites, appearing in media interviews.
9. Supervise the preparation of promotional materials for the Center, the programming of guest speakers, and the coordination of award presentations. Create specialized programs, seminars, and speaking engagements designed to bring professional journalists to campus to facilitate interaction with Ithaca College students, faculty, and the community.
10. Prepare an annual report and analyses for the Dean, as well as external constituencies.
11. Identify, monitor, and develop grant opportunities that may provide funding to projects associated with independent media at the Center.
12. Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and other departments, offices, and programs, on the Ithaca College campus as well as to outside media organizations.
Qualifications:
Master’s degree and a minimum of 5 years significant equivalent professional experience required, Doctorate or other appropriate academic terminal degree preferred. Significant record of professional or scholarly excellence in the production and/or study of independent media; administrative experience, preferably in the area of academic or nonprofit programs or initiatives; demonstrated collaborative qualities that will support national partnerships and outreach to independent media producers and scholars; and familiarity with new trends in, and forms of, journalistic content. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are required. A record of teaching excellence at the college level is preferred.
Applicants should demonstrate ability to represent the Center’s interest within the larger community of independent media scholars and producers; maintain open communication with administrators, faculty, staff, and students and facilitate relationships with professional constituencies. The successful applicant is expected to be active nationally in media associations and regional professional organizations, and to lead the Center toward its goal of becoming among the highest quality and the most innovative sites of independent media research, professional outreach and collaboration, and curriculum development in the country.
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants must apply online at http://ithaca.edu/jobs and attach a complete Resume/CV; cover letter; as well as a list of three references with contact information. To ensure full consideration, complete application should be received by March 15, 2024. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu
Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.
Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.
Hiring Range:
$85,000 to $95,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, educational benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit
https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness
About Us
At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.
We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.
We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.
When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.
Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.
To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu