Assistant Chair, Electronic Production and Design

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

11d

About The Position

Berklee College of Music seeks an Assistant Chair for its Electronic Production and Design Department. The department offers programs and coursework in electronic music production, sound design, sound for visual media and immersive technologies, electronic music performance, new musical instrument design, and creative coding. Its offerings include an undergraduate major, a Sound Design for Video Games specialization, an Electronic Digital Instrument Principal Instrument Program, an Electronic Performance major and minor, an intermedia arts institute, and three summer programs. The curriculum emphasizes innovative uses of technology informed by research, creative practice, and developments in the field. The department has more than 35 faculty members, many of whom teach EPD majors, while others teach music technology courses across the college. Working under the direction and supervision of the Chair, the Assistant Chair serves as an academic administrator and takes an active role in the department’s day-to-day operations. The position supports departmental goals, faculty and students, academic processes, curriculum development, recruitment and retention, budgets, facilities, and programming. The Assistant Chair may teach a course as appropriate and in consultation with the Chair. The ideal candidate will have advanced expertise in electronic music and sound design and significant experience in several relevant areas, such as emerging music technologies, contemporary electronic music production, modular synthesis, video game and immersive sound design, new musical instrument design, and creative coding. The role calls for a hands-on, highly engaged leader with strong managerial, organizational, communication, and collaborative problem-solving skills; an understanding of higher education and undergraduate curriculum; and a student-centered, approachable, and responsive approach. A college degree and prior teaching experience are highly desirable. Commitment to being a supportive community member and working with students and colleagues from all backgrounds is essential.

Requirements

Advanced expertise in electronic music and sound design.
Significant experience in several of the following areas: emerging music technologies, contemporary electronic music production, modular synthesis, video game and immersive sound design, new musical instrument design, and creative coding.
Strong managerial and organizational skills.
Excellent communication and collaborative problem-solving skills.
Understanding of higher education, undergraduate curriculum, and the evolving needs of students and faculty.
Student-centered, approachable, and responsive approach.
Commitment to being a good community member and working with students and colleagues from all backgrounds.
Submit a cover letter, current CV with links to current examples of work, and names and contact information for three professional references.
Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.

Nice To Haves

A college degree.
Prior teaching experience.
Experience in emerging music technologies, contemporary electronic music production, modular synthesis, video game and immersive sound design, new musical instrument design, and creative coding (significant experience in several of these areas is sought).

Responsibilities

Represent the department and division as an administrative leader on and off campus.
Serve on the Academic Leadership Council, division committees, and other college committees as needed; participate in auditions, A&I, and Berklee Global trips as appropriate.
Maintain active professional and/or scholarly engagement in music, sound design, music technology, or related fields.
Assist the Chair and faculty in advancing departmental goals, priorities, and initiatives and completing assigned projects and responsibilities.
Oversee departmental operations and provide leadership in the Chair’s absence.
Support day-to-day operations, including communicating policies and procedures, facilitating faculty meetings, and collaborating on course scheduling, registration, enrollment, and student placement.
Foster communication and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and other college areas.
Coordinate guest artists, workshops, special events, and departmental programming, including scheduling, logistics, and implementation.
Manage and support departmental summer programs, coordinating faculty, curriculum and program content, guest artists, scheduling, preparation, and logistics, and providing hands-on, on-site support.
Assist with student-facing departmental responsibilities, including major admissions, juries, and other academic processes.
Support faculty development, evaluation, onboarding, and personnel processes; provide relevant observations and feedback to the Chair, who retains primary responsibility for formal performance reviews, promotion recommendations, and other personnel decisions.
Collaborate with the Chair on course scheduling and faculty teaching needs, and support faculty and course coordinators in curriculum implementation and consistency across offerings.
Help identify faculty development needs and opportunities and recommend them to the Chair.
Participate in departmental searches, reviews, committees, and other faculty processes as assigned.
Advise students through office hours and other departmental interactions on academic pathways, course selection, degree progression, and career development.
Support student engagement and the student experience through departmental communications, supervision of departmental student employees, and advising student clubs and organizations.
Coordinate extracurricular events, workshops, and activities that extend learning, connect students with the field, and strengthen departmental community.
Support recruitment and retention through advising events, major fairs, recruitment and admissions activities, and other student-facing initiatives.
Participate in major admissions and scholarship processes, including reviewing submissions, interviewing candidates, and assisting with scholarship recommendations and allocations in collaboration with the Chair and faculty.
Participate in EDI auditions and/or exams as needed, and foster an inclusive and welcoming departmental environment.
Co-manage departmental budgets with the Chair, supporting responsible resource allocation, budget planning, and accurate financial record-keeping.
Liaise with technical and classroom support staff to communicate needs, coordinate support, and help address technology and facilities issues.
Identify, evaluate, and recommend specialized software, hardware, equipment, and curriculum-driven technologies for instruction and teaching and learning in EPD labs and classrooms.
Coordinate ongoing management and maintenance of EPD and EDI facilities, specialized labs, studios, and music technology equipment with college technical and facilities teams.
Teach a course if appropriate and determined in consultation with the Chair.
Support administration and ongoing development of the department’s major, programs, and course offerings.
Contribute to curriculum development, review, assessment, and continuous improvement to keep programs current and responsive to developments in music, technology, and the professional field.
Collaborate with faculty and course coordinators on curriculum implementation, consistency across course sections, and alignment with departmental learning goals.
Work with the Chair to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities that can inform programs and curriculum.
Support the review, writing, editing, and updating of curriculum documentation and communications, including program and course documentation, Canvas course materials, website content, and academic program review materials.
Perform other duties as assigned.