Crafts Center Director

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Crafts Center

About the Department:

The Division of Academic & Student Affairs (DASA) is where students discover connections and community. It is where students live, where they gather, where they improve themselves, each other, and their university. DASA is where students seek guidance and support, both in and outside of the classroom. The division serves all students at NC State.

NC State wants employees to achieve their highest potential at work, learn more about our employee value proposition here (You Belong Here). The Division of Academic and Student Affairs is the place to work for values-driven faculty and staff who are passionate about promoting the success of the whole student.

Arts NC State

Arts NC State provides transformational arts engagement for all, across four compelling co-curricular and public-facing arts units: NC State LIVE, University Theatre, the Crafts Center, and the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.

Arts NC State is a collective for high-impact, co-created, collaborative, community-engaged arts experiences, practices, and research. Arts NC State engages our campus, local, and regional communities by offering a “third place” of transformational arts programming for all. Arts NC State partners with non-profit, social service, and industry organizations to extend the benefits of arts engagement and arts-integrated research in our communities for the public good. Arts NC State provides students with transferable and life skills that are valued in any career path, and acquired through high-impact experiential learning in the arts and a creative community of belonging. Arts NC State co-creates transformative interdisciplinary arts-integrated research in partnership with staff, faculty, and students across campus through a leading edge research collective. More information about Arts NC State can be found at https://arts.ncsu.edu/.

Crafts Center

The Crafts Center at NC State University, one of the units comprising Arts NC State, supports the disciplines of woodworking, pottery, photography, fiber arts, lapidary, glass, jewelry and metalworking, mixed media, and more.

The Crafts Center provides hands-on, immersive, life-long learning skills to NC State students, faculty and staff, affiliates, alumni, and the general public. Offerings support all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Our mission is to support research, enhance critical thinking, strengthen personal and professional development, and well-being.

The Crafts Center is a creativity hub for high-impact, hands-on, experiential learning. The Crafts Center engages in arts-integrated research that conducts dialogue and inquiry, helps solve real-world problems, and provides new outlets for critical thinking. More information about the Crafts Center can be found at https://crafts.arts.ncsu.edu/.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

The Director of the Crafts Center at NC State University leads one of the largest university crafts centers in the United States. The Director reports to the Associate Dean & Executive Director of Arts NC State.

The Director of the Crafts Center will be responsible for but not limited to:

Strategic Leadership, Academic Engagement & Arts-Integrated Initiatives

• Develop and implement a strategic plan to realize a new vision for the Crafts Center, including restructuring overall programming to support the evolving mission and priorities of Arts NC State.
• Increase academic support and develop collaborative relationships across disciplines, departments, and colleges to expand student engagement, experiential learning, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
• Advance arts-integrated research and student-focused programming aligned with Arts NC State’s Art + Wellness and Art + Science initiatives, including the new ArtsRx program.
• Identify and develop opportunities that strengthen the Crafts Center as a creativity hub for high-impact, hands-on experiential learning, research, critical thinking, and well-being.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to integrate Crafts Center programs and resources into the broader academic experience.

Staff & Instructor Leadership

• Manage and provide leadership to permanent staff and student employees, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and completion of required personnel processes.
• Coordinate the management, scheduling, and engagement of Crafts Center instructors to ensure high-quality instruction and meaningful impact across studios and programs.
• Lead and inspire staff, student employees, and instructors in support of the Crafts Center’s strategic direction, programs, and operations.
• Coordinate appropriate staffing and management-level coverage to support classes, workshops, evening and weekend operations, and special events.
• Ensure required performance evaluations and other personnel responsibilities are completed for applicable employees.

Program Development, Exhibitions & Community Engagement

• Develop and coordinate Crafts Center programs, classes, workshops, and related learning opportunities in collaboration with Arts NC State staff and campus partners.
• Curate and coordinate exhibitions, demonstrations, special events, and other programming that showcase craft, visual arts, interdisciplinary work, and student engagement.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with student organizations, campus partners, community organizations, guilds, artists, instructors, and other stakeholders.
• Assess programming and identify opportunities to enhance participation, impact, and alignment with the strategic direction of the Crafts Center and Arts NC State.

Budget Management, Assessment & Administrative Oversight

• Manage the Crafts Center budget in collaboration with the Arts NC State Business Officer, supporting the effective allocation and stewardship of financial resources.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, and overall budget status throughout the fiscal year to support established financial and operational goals.
• Lead the production of annual reports, assessment reports, and related reporting to evaluate program effectiveness and progress toward established goals.
• Provide oversight of administrative processes and technology supporting class registration, sales, receipts, and other Crafts Center business operations in accordance with university requirements.

Studio Operations, Facilities, Safety & Compliance

• Serve as the Crafts Center facilities liaison and oversee the maintenance and effective operation of studios, equipment, supplies, and facilities.
• Ensure Crafts Center operations, equipment, and facilities comply with applicable university, state, and federal policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of studio spaces to provide safe and functional environments for classes, workshops, exhibitions, and other programs.
• Identify facility, equipment, and operational needs and coordinate with appropriate university and Arts NC State partners to address maintenance, safety, and operational concerns.

University, Arts NC State & Community Representation

• Represent the Crafts Center and Arts NC State at university and community meetings, functions, programs, and special events.
• Develop and maintain relationships with university and community stakeholders that support the mission and visibility of the Crafts Center.
• Participate in Arts NC State events and activities that strengthen awareness of and engagement with the Crafts Center.
• Maintain flexibility to support evening and weekend operations, special events, and other activities requiring the Director’s participation.

Other Responsibilities:

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master of Fine Arts or other terminal degree in a related area with a minimum 5 years of experience in a leadership role in the arts.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Familiarity with and passion for crafts area(s) represented in the Crafts Center.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and develop teams.
• The ability to form collaborative relationships with other Arts NC State units, and departments and colleges across a large campus, as well as externally.
• Excellent organizational skills with sharp attention to detail.
• Ability to manage concurrent time-sensitive priorities.
• Superior verbal and written communication.
• Must be able to deal tactfully and effectively with multiple levels of internal staff, external patrons, instructors, and students.
• Budget management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience as an effective and compassionate leader with experience leading organizational change.
• Experience with community engagement, arts programming, and curating exhibitions.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, consensus-building environment.
• Experience with interdisciplinary arts and arts-integrated research in a university setting.
• Experience with intentional arts and wellness practices and programming.
• Donor cultivation and development experience.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 10/13/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 11/6/2026; if posting is active, we are still accepting and reviewing applications

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In addition to your application please submit a Resume/CV, cover letter, and the contact information for at least three professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Number: 00002825

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies

Department ID: 243030 - Crafts Center

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.