Director of Artists at Work

Company: Maine College of Art & Design

Job Location: Portland's vibrant Arts District

Category: Career Development and Services

Type: Full-Time

Email: employment@meca.edu

About Maine College of Art & Design

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) seeks a visionary leader for its career services department to help students and alumni leverage their creativity and talents professionally. MECA&D is committed to creating an inclusive environment where creativity, collaboration, and critical inquiry thrive. Located in the heart of Portland's vibrant Arts District, MECA&D provides a supportive and engaging space for artists, designers, and educators who are passionate about shaping culture through visual expression.

Position Overview

The Director of Artists at Work creates, cultivates, and maintains relationships with employers and internship providers, creating valuable opportunities that align with the needs of students, alumni, and the community. The position collaborates with faculty to integrate professional development into curricular and co-curricular activities throughout the college experience. This senior-level position requires the strategic planning, development, and execution of professional development programs tailored for students and alumni across all degree and certificate programs. The Director of Artists at Work reports directly to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Basic Function

The Director of Artists at Work supports the College's mission by providing career counseling and professional development to students and alumni across all programs (BFA, MFA, MAT, SALT, and Online). The Director is responsible for developing and delivering professional content in person and online, fostering partnerships with external organizations, and managing requests for part-time, full-time, and project-based employment. Additionally, the Director oversees program budgets, produces a monthly bulletin of job opportunities, and ensures that online resources for career development are up-to-date.

Curricular:

• Coordinate with the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and key faculty on integrating public engagement, professional development, and creative entrepreneurship into all four years of the curriculum.
• Collaborate on the Art & Entrepreneurship minor.
• Deliver workshops and programs.
• Collaborate with the Professional Studio Practices coordinator to identify the curriculum and speakers.
• Deliver orientation workshops for all incoming students in BFA, MFA, MAT, MAEd, Salt.
• Facilitate classroom project partnerships.
• Manage all aspects of the internship program, including identifying and approving sites, matching students with suitable placements, and supervising their progress.
• Administer Professional Development grants three times a year.

Alumni:

• Work closely with the Associate Director of Artists at Work & Alumni Relations to develop and offer alumni career counseling and professional development opportunities.
• Identify collaborations to provide professional opportunities for alumni.

Communications:

• Coordinate marketing messaging for Artists at Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Director of Admissions.
• Provide content for websites, magazines, viewbooks, and social media.
• Public Speaking for admission recruitment events.
• Coordinate grant writing and fundraising with the Development Department as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in arts administration, arts advocacy, entrepreneurship, higher education career services, career counseling, or related fields and experiences.
• Experience in managing staff, working with committees, and in program development.
• Experience in building relationships with employers, organizing portfolio reviews, and creating internship or job placement opportunities for students.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with and capacity to employ alumni surveys, career outcomes data, and reporting on employment trends.
• Ability to use career services software (Handshake), databases, and other digital tools for tracking student progress and engagement.
• Knowledge of art, design, craft, and media industry trends.

What We Offer

Join a collaborative team where your visionary leadership and career development expertise will support the education and professional growth of aspiring artists and designers. This is a full-time, exempt-level position. The starting salary is $70,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. Benefits include healthcare, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, a 403(b) plan with a 5% employer match, generous paid time off, faculty & staff meal plan, and more.

Ready to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials as a single PDF to employment@meca.edu: 1. A cover letter expressing your interest in the position. 2. A current résumé or CV. 3. Contact information for three professional references. Recognizing that no candidate will possess all the relevant skills and experience, we encourage you to apply if you align with many of the qualifications and interests in this role. While there is no deadline for submitting your application, the application period will close when the position is filled. Maine College of Art & Design is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed during any part of the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of the position, please contact Human Resources at hr@meca.edu.