The University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. An integral part of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028, serves approximately 550 students, with over 65 full-time faculty. The Hodgson School offers a wide range of degree programs, from bachelor’s to doctoral levels, including concentrations in performance, music education, music therapy, composition, and musicology.
The Hugh Hodgson School of Music, located in Athens, include technology enhanced classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities. The Hodgson School is highly active, hosting approximately 350 public performances each year by students, faculty, and guest artists. Many of these performances take place in the adjacent Performing Arts Center. The 1,100-seat Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall, one of four performance venues, has been widely recognized for its superb acoustics. The Hodgson School is an All-Steinway School, including the recent acquisition of 30 new pianos. With more than $18 million in endowed funds and $300 thousand in annual giving, the Hodgson School is a valued presence in the University and broader Athens communities and works closely with the Performing Arts Center. The Hodgson School website is located at www.music.uga.edu.
Reporting to the Dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Director of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music will have headship duties and responsibilities that include general leadership of the Hodgson School; comprehensive program development; fiscal management; development of funding for scholarships, graduate assistantships, endowed positions, technology and facilities, and other School needs; and faculty and staff recruitment and development. The Director will also serve as an advocate for the Hodgson School both on and off campus; and contribute to the growth in stature of the Hodgson School and the local and regional arts community.
Required/Minimum Qualifications:
- An earned terminal degree in music or a related area.
- A distinguished record of creative/scholarly achievements, and eligible as a full professor with tenure at the time of appointment.
- To be eligible for tenure upon appointment, candidates must have been tenured at a prior institution and bring a demonstrably national reputation to UGA. In exceptional cases, with approval of the institution’s President and the University System of Georgia Chancellor, a candidate who has not previously held tenure may be considered for tenure upon appointment. For more information regarding the rank and tenure on appointment, please see the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.
Relevant/Preferred Experience:
- Demonstrated track record of successfully leading a school or department of music.
- Potential for appointment as an endowed professor.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:
- Ability to articulate a vision for guiding the Hodgson School to increased national and international prominence.
- Skills in the area of fundraising and development.
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.
UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
As one of the top public universities in the nation, UGA offers a culture of academic excellence and opportunity made all the richer by our renowned faculty, community of scholar-citizens, and vibrant student life program.
Applications: Applicant screening will begin immediately. Candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by Sunday, November 23, 2025; however, screening will continue until the position is filled. The application packet should include a cover letter detailing how the applicant’s credentials and experience meet the needs, responsibilities, and qualifications stated above; a current vita/resume; and contact information for three references (who will not be contacted without further correspondence with the applicant).
All applicants must apply online at https://www.ugajobsearch.com. Please see the job posting at: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/454638
To provide a nomination or seek additional information, please contact Paige Gates, Primary Consultant with the UGA Search Group, 706-542-5230 or [email protected]. Letters of recommendation or a simple nomination should include the name and contact information for the nominee.
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([email protected]).
