Assistant Chair, Electronic Production and Design

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

11d

About The Position

Berklee College of Music is seeking an Assistant Chair for its Electronic Production and Design Department, a music technology program focused on electronic music production, sound design, sound for visual media and immersive technologies, electronic music performance, new musical instrument design, and creative coding. The department offers 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 summer programs. Its curriculum prepares students for creative and professional pathways through technology informed by research, creative practice, and developments in the field. The department includes more than 35 faculty members. 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 calls for advanced expertise in electronic music and sound design and significant experience in several related 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 Assistant Chair collaborates with the Chair, faculty, staff, and students to coordinate priorities, address needs, and ensure effective departmental operations. The role also supports faculty, students, curriculum, recruitment and retention, budgets, facilities, and departmental programming. Teaching may be included as appropriate, in consultation with the Chair. A college degree and prior teaching experience are highly desirable, as are excellent collaboration and communication skills. A commitment to being an effective community member with students and colleagues from all backgrounds is essential. Applicants should submit a cover letter, a current CV with links to examples of their work, and contact information for three professional references. The search remains open until the position is filled.

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 collaboration skills, including collaborative problem-solving.
Understanding of higher education, undergraduate curriculum, and the evolving needs of students and faculty.
Commitment to being a good community member and working with students and colleagues from all backgrounds.
A college degree is highly desirable.
Prior teaching experience is highly desirable.

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 carrying out 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 other 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 on-site support.
Assist with student-facing responsibilities, including major admissions, juries, and other academic processes.
Support faculty development, evaluation, and personnel processes; provide observations and feedback to the Chair on faculty teaching, curriculum, participation, and other relevant areas.
Assist with faculty onboarding and ongoing support, particularly for part-time faculty, explaining curriculum, expectations, policies, procedures, and resources.
Collaborate with the Chair on course scheduling and faculty teaching needs.
Support faculty and course coordinators in curriculum implementation and maintaining consistency and quality across departmental offerings.
Identify faculty development needs and opportunities and bring recommendations to the Chair.
Participate in departmental searches, reviews, committees, and other faculty processes as assigned.
Advise students on academic pathways, course selection, degree progression, and career development through office hours and other interactions.
Support student engagement and the student experience through departmental communications, supervision of student employees, and advising student clubs and organizations.
Coordinate extracurricular events, workshops, and activities that extend learning, connect students with the field, and foster departmental community.
Support recruitment and retention, including 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.
Foster an inclusive and welcoming departmental environment that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and approaches.
Co-manage departmental budgets with the Chair, supporting resource allocation, budget planning, and accurate financial records.
Serve as a departmental liaison 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 labs and classrooms.
Coordinate management and maintenance of EPD and EDI facilities, specialized labs, studios, and music technology equipment in partnership with college technical and facilities teams.
Teach a course if appropriate and determined in consultation with the Chair.
Support administration and ongoing development of departmental majors, programs, and course offerings.
Contribute to curriculum development, review, assessment, and continuous improvement, keeping 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 may inform future programs and curriculum.
Support 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.