The Styling for Creative Media BFA program within the Department of Photography and Related Media at FIT seeks a tenure-track full-time faculty member to help shape the future of styling, creative direction, and image-making in an era of rapidly evolving media technologies.
We seek candidates whose practice demonstrates expertise in a wide range of commercial styling applications such as wardrobe, prop and set, events and lifestyle. Candidates' portfolios and skillsets should have an emphasis on styling for photographic and time-based projects, and an engagement with emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (assistive and generative), computational imaging, virtual production, digital media, immersive experiences, and related creative technologies.
Candidates should be active practitioners and educators. The ideal candidate should also be engaged with contemporary and historical styling trends and should have the ability to teach a wide range of courses in styling, trend forecasting, creative direction, media production and social media practices as well as emerging computational technology classes at introductory, intermediate and advanced levels.
The successful candidate will contribute to the continued development of the Styling for Creative Media curriculum, participate actively in departmental leadership and governance, and be expected to assume increasing leadership responsibilities over time. Since the program is housed within the Photography and Related Media Department, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the department's broader educational mission and collaborate with faculty across lens-based media, helping students understand the increasingly integrated relationship between styling, photography, creative direction, and emerging technologies.
The applicant's portfolio should demonstrate an ability to integrate styling, creative direction, photography, and emerging technologies into cohesive visual narratives across multiple media platforms. Engagement with AI and other emerging technologies should be evident in the portfolio.
The candidate must have a substantial record of published commercial work and/or exhibitions, monograph publications, and/or screenings. Preference will be given to candidates with an established record of professional achievement and leadership in styling, creative direction, or related creative industries. The candidate's work and teaching experience must reflect the ability to leverage a strong foundation in traditional artistic skills and practice as a platform for more divergent thinking and innovation. Professional experience in photography, editorial image-making, commercial photography, or photographic production is highly desirable. Candidates whose practice demonstrates a strong understanding of the collaborative relationship between styling, photography, creative direction, and image production are especially encouraged to apply.
Specific competencies sought as related to the position:
Globalism
- Possess experience working with people from various cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and social groups that will support the education of a diverse student population.
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Demonstrate the ability to contextualize students' work within Western and non-Western art history, as well as practices, approaches, and movements in contemporary styling.
- Demonstrate appreciation for cultural diversity and a positive approach to cultural differences.
Instructional Design
- Demonstrate the ability to educate students in both traditional hands-on styling as well as emerging computational technologies.
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Serve as an active contributor to curricular assessment and development.
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Demonstrate commitment to student-centeredness with active participation in student work reviews, and the ability to offer productive verbal feedback, assessment, and counseling.
Learning Enrichment
- Demonstrate a passion for teaching, and the ability to inspire interest, curiosity, and creativity in students.
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Demonstrate the ability to utilize a variety of instructional delivery systems, including various media sources that foster critical thinking and problem-solving in students.
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Enrich the learning experience by creating opportunities for students to engage with professional artists, stylists, creative directors, New York's museums and galleries, and the broader art world.
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Contribute to the ongoing success of students through advisement and mentorship of student clubs and activities.
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Teach professional development and facilitate student engagement with the art and design community within and beyond FIT.
Professionalism
- Demonstrate, as a committed artist, the pursuit of creative work with an active commercial practice and/or exhibition, publishing, and/or screening record.
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Demonstrate the ability to teach a breadth of styling trends, methods and practices to all levels of undergraduate students.
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Demonstrate collaboration and engagement in contributing to and performing administrative and committee service for the department, the School, and the College.
Technology
- Demonstrate expertise with specific technology and software relevant to styling for photography, video, immersive and emerging technologies, particularly assistive and generative AI.
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Demonstrate technological skills in visual art-related software and emerging technologies specifically used in styling for the photo/video profession.
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Demonstrate the ability to communicate through technology and utilization of the college course management system and campus portal.
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Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining currency in technological skills and knowledge.
The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in styling, photography, fashion, creative direction, or related creative field.
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6 years of commercial practice.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience as a stylist and/or creative director.
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Prior college-level teaching experience.
Additional Information:
Please note, all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.
Salary
The final starting salary and appointment rank will be based on education level and cumulative experience; Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Salary Schedules pgs. 73-74.
Instructor: $69,346.37 - $80,793.82
Assistant Professor: $80,736.40 - $118,984.88
Associate Professor: $94,498.31 - $142,271.78
Professor: $115,232.32 - $173,403.37
The College reserves the right to select one or more candidates after having been duly reviewed and presented to the President in conformance with the provisions of Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Benefits
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.
- Retirement Plans
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Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
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Employee Assistance Program
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Flexible Spending Account
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Commuter Benefit Plan
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FIT Tuition Exemption Program
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Qualifying Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.
Pay Equity by State Employers
Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at [email protected].
Visa Sponsorship
This position may be eligible for visa sponsorship. For any employees who may require sponsorship in order to lawfully work in the United States, FIT reserves complete discretion whether to pursue such sponsorship or to cancel, discontinue, or withdraw such sponsorship at any time.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement
FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people from a range of backgrounds. FIT is firmly committed to creating a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability. The FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, partnership status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, uniformed service, height, weight, any lawful source of income, status as a victim of domestic violence or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking, whether children are, may be or would be residing with a person or conviction or arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360.
Annual Security Report
The safety and well-being of FIT's students, faculty, staff, and visitors is of paramount importance. Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, FIT publishes an annual report containing crime statistics and statements of security policy, accessible here: Safety Statistics. A paper copy of the report will be provided upon request by contacting Public Safety's administrative office number at (212) 217-4999.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The working conditions for this position will be any combination of the classroom, lab, and/or office space. Certain roles may be required to handle machinery and chemicals. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasionally lifting 10 lbs. or less.
