Associate Dean for Artistic Administration

New England Conservatory Of Music•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The New England Conservatory (NEC), a globally recognized leader in music education, seeks an Associate Dean for Artistic Administration. This role serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Dean and Chief Artistic Officer, providing leadership for the Conservatory’s artistic infrastructure. The Associate Dean is a trusted deputy responsible for long-term season planning, centralizing administrative functions, and supervising Performance Department Chairs to ensure institutional consistency, communication, and continuity. This position is crucial in understanding student career aspirations and implementing goals that support student recruitment, retention, and success.

Requirements

Master’s degree in music studies, arts administration, or a related field is required.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in a conservatory or arts setting.
Demonstrated ability to inspire and manage a diverse team of faculty and staff.
Deep understanding of a conservatory-based educational model.
Extensive experience in working closely with musicians and music faculty.
Exceptional judgment and discretion in handling sensitive personnel and artistic matters.
Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

Develop and monitor performance department budgets, ensuring alignment with NEC’s financial health and strategic priorities.
Serve as the primary supervisor for all Performance Department Chairs, providing guidance on artistic direction and faculty contractual obligations.
Oversee the annual faculty contracting process for all performance faculty in partnership with Human Resources.
Oversee the administration of all performance departments, including Large Ensembles, and ensure the annual performance schedule is formulated in consultation with faculty and production staff.
Provide strategic oversight to the Institute for Concert Artists (ICA) Advisor to support the Conservatory’s most prestigious and highly selective performers.
Lead the annual artistic season planning in close coordination with the Dean, Department Chairs, and Production staff to ensure institutional consistency and artistic excellence.
Work closely with faculty and department chairs to identify prospective guest artists and residencies.
Lead high-level negotiations for guest artist residencies and external artistic partnerships that align faculty expertise with student learning opportunities.
Manage faculty assignments and studio loads, as well as the recruitment of new faculty members, in partnership with Chairs.
Create opportunities for interdisciplinary innovation and build strong spirit-of-partnership connections across different musical genres and departments.
Spearhead complex artistic projects, residencies, and special institutional performances, such as the annual scholarship gala.
Serve as the central link between Artistic Administration and departments such as Marketing, Advancement, and Recording Technology.
Partner with the Associate Dean for Curricular and Academic Affairs to ensure performance activities align with curricular goals, including the oversight of faculty evaluations and performance-related course management.