Associate or Full Professor in Interior Design

Associate or Full Professor in Interior Design

Job Title:

Associate or Full Professor in Interior Design

Working Title:

Director, School of Interiors

Department Name:
School of Interiors:
Planning/Strategy/Design

Work Location:

Lexington, KY

Type of Position:
Faculty

Position Time Status:
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status:
Tenure Track

Required

Education:

Terminal degree in Interior Design or a closely related field

Required Related

Experience:

Record of excellence in teaching, research, or creative practice sufficient for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. Demonstrated academic leadership experience. Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Commitment to collaboration, shared governance, and student success.

Required License/Registration/Certification: N/A

Job Summary:

The College of Design at the University of Kentucky invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the School of Interiors. The Director will lead the next phase of the school's development, working closely with faculty to articulate and advance a clear and compelling vision for the future of interior design education, one that builds on the school's strengths in material exploration, interdisciplinary design, and human-centered inquiry while expanding its research impact, global reach, and national visibility.

We are seeking an outward-facing, service-oriented leader who listens, advocates, and positions the school within evolving conversations across design, higher education, and the profession.

The Director will enter at a moment when the school is well-positioned for new opportunities. We are in a new building, have made significant faculty hires in recent years, will have completed reaccreditation in spring 2027, and have a curriculum transformation underway. The school is in an energetic and malleable phase with significant opportunity to shape its trajectory.

Job Description:

The Director of the School of Interiors is a full-time faculty position with administrative responsibilities. Administration is anticipated to be 45% of the Director's distribution of effort, with the remaining 55% allocated to teaching and research. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Design, the Director is responsible for the overall academic, administrative, and fiscal leadership of the School. They will provide leadership in defining the program's strategic priorities and vision and in enhancing its visibility, brand, and reputation.

In this role, the Director will be responsible for continuing to advance and strengthen curricular offerings; fostering excellence in teaching, research, and engagement; strategically managing the program's enrollment; overseeing the hiring of new full-time and part-time faculty; supporting the career advancement of faculty members; advancing innovation and multidisciplinary activities; and working collaboratively with College leadership and departmental faculty to effectively manage program resources.

The Director should promote a work and learning environment that fosters entrepreneurship, growth, collaboration, and shared governance.

The position will commence on July 1, 2027. This is a 12-month appointment at the rank of associate or full professor with tenure. The term of the administrative appointment is four years and is renewable for an additional four years. Salary is competitive and based on qualifications and experience.

A complete application must include and will be evaluated based on the following materials: a cover letter addressing experience and vision related to leadership, research and creative scholarship, service, teaching, as well as the future of design education and the industry; a current curriculum vitae or resume highlighting relevant academic and/or professional experience; names and contact information for at least three references (who will not be contacted unless/until a candidate is invited to an on-campus interview);

sample of scholarly or creative work (10 pages max.; upload under Specific Request
1).

Applications only accepted via UK Jobs. Review of applications will begin on September 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

Leadership Profile:
The ideal candidate will be an outward-facing, strategic leader who works closely with faculty to articulate and advance a shared vision for the school. They will be a strong listener, a clear communicator, and an advocate for the program. They will be able to build consensus, set direction, and make decisions that move the school forward. This includes strengthening its intellectual contributions, expanding its reach, and positioning it within evolving conversations in design, culture, and the built environment.

An effective Director will support people while also challenging the program to grow. They will recognize the School's current momentum and guide it through this next phase with clarity, focus, and purpose.

Key Responsibilities and Leadership Priorities:

• External Engagement and…