The Director of Vocal Arts provides artistic leadership, administrative oversight, and instructional direction for the University's Choir and Musical Theatre programs. The position is responsible for fostering student excellence through recruitment, retention, performance preparation, curriculum support, and community engagement while creating a dynamic and inclusive environment that promotes student success, leadership, and artistic achievement. Working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Performing Arts, the Director advances the University's mission by developing high-quality vocal performance opportunities that enhance campus life, strengthen enrollment, and expand the University's presence throughout the community.
CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide artistic and administrative leadership for the University Choir and Musical Theatre programs.
- Direct and conduct choral ensembles and oversee musical theatre vocal preparation, rehearsals, and performance activities.
- Plan, coordinate, and supervise rehearsals, concerts, productions, tours, outreach performances, and special events.
- Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies to increase student participation and enrollment in the Vocal Arts programs.
- Serve as a strategic ambassador for the Vocal Arts programs by actively recruiting prospective students through school visits, auditions, festivals, community partnerships, and outreach initiatives that support the University's enrollment goals.
- Collaborate with Admissions, Enrollment Management, Student Life, and the Executive Director of Performing Arts on auditions, scholarship initiatives, recruitment events, and campus visit experiences.
- Assist the Executive Director of Performing Arts in advancing the strategic vision and long-term growth of the University's Performing Arts programs through innovation, collaboration, and continuous program development.
- Assist in developing annual program goals, assessments, and strategic initiatives aligned with the vision of the Performing Arts Department.
- Maintain high standards of musicianship, performance quality, and student professionalism.
- Develop performance schedules, rehearsal calendars, production timelines, and performance logistics.
- Coordinate repertoire selection that reflects artistic excellence, educational value, and culturally responsive programming.
- Collaborate with faculty across campus to develop interdisciplinary performances and educational partnerships.
- Assist with budget planning, purchasing, inventory, equipment management, travel coordination, and scholarship recommendations.
- Promote student leadership, mentorship, and engagement opportunities within the Choir and Musical Theatre programs.
- Build and maintain partnerships with local schools, community organizations, churches, and professional arts organizations to strengthen recruitment and community engagement.
- Represent the University at recruitment events, festivals, conferences, auditions, performances, and community functions.
- Assist with fundraising initiatives, donor engagement, grant opportunities, sponsorships, and special projects supporting the Vocal Arts programs.
- Maintain accurate student records, performance documentation, assessment reports, and program data.
- Attend and actively participate in professional conferences, workshops, festivals, and educational development opportunities that enhance professional knowledge, artistic excellence, instructional effectiveness, and the artistic growth of students.
- Ensure compliance with university policies, copyright regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Performing Arts.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Incumbent works with university policies and general objectives, referring to supervisors for clarification and interpretation of broad university policies and procedures or programmatic references.
QualificationsPOSITION QUALIFICATIONS/SPECIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree required; preferred master’s degree in music, Music Education, Musical Theatre, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated excellence in the music and/or musical theatre field.
- Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of successful teaching, conducting, directing, or administrative experience in higher education, K–12 education, or an equivalent professional performing arts setting.
- Strong organizational, leadership, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in successfully recruiting and retaining students for performing arts programs preferred.
- Experience coordinating concerts, productions, performances, tours, and special events.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high artistic and academic standards.
- Knowledge of budget management, event planning, program assessment, and student engagement initiatives.
- Demonstrated commitment to student success, collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
- Ability to work independently while fostering a collaborative and creative environment with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
- Full-Time | Exempt Administrative | Staff
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree in Music, Music Education, Musical Theatre, or closely related field
- Demonstrated excellence in music and/or musical theatre
- Minimum of three to five years teaching, conducting, directing, or administrative experience in higher education, K-12, or equivalent performing arts setting
- Strong organizational, leadership, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Experience recruiting and retaining students for performing arts programs
- Experience coordinating concerts, productions, performances, tours, and special events
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining artistic and academic standards
- Knowledge of budget management, event planning, program assessment, and student engagement initiatives
- Commitment to student success, collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Ability to work independently and foster collaborative, creative environments with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners
What We Do
St. Thomas University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution based in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is committed to fostering academic and professional success for its students, preparing them to become ethical leaders in a global community. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has been recognized for its focus on social mobility and student access.






