Founding Director, Commercial Music and Worship Arts

About the role

The Department of Music at Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene is seeking a full-time, tenure-track faculty member to serve as Founding Director of Commercial Music and Worship Arts. The position starts in Spring 2026 and begins with a program-building phase, followed by ongoing leadership, teaching and administrative duties once the program launches, pending accreditation approval. The first students are expected in Fall 2027. Candidates must be professing Christians willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

Key responsibilities

• Program development: lead faculty and industry discussions to design the curriculum, oversee facility renovations and the purchase of industry-standard equipment, and recruit students with admissions and marketing.
• Build partnerships with industry professionals, churches and alumni networks.
• Ongoing leadership: direct the program, including assessment, student advising and coordination of internships and industry experiences.
• Teach a regular faculty load in areas such as music production, songwriting, commercial performance, music business, music ministry and worship leadership, with a two-course annual reduction for administrative duties.
• Maintain professional engagement in the music industry or worship communities, collaborate across disciplines and support off-campus experiential learning sites.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in music, music industry, worship studies or a closely related field; a terminal degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
• Professional experience in the music industry and/or worship leadership.
• Expertise in areas such as music production and recording, songwriting and arranging, live sound and performance technology, music business, worship leadership and commercial performance.
• Preferred: graduate degree, demonstrated success in higher education teaching, experience with curriculum development and program administration, and established professional networks.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled and include a letter of interest, CV, three professional references, links to recent professional work, teaching and faith statements, a recommendation letter and transcripts.