Chair of Bass

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Berklee College of Music, a world-leading institution for contemporary music and performing arts, seeks an accomplished musician-educator and experienced academic leader to serve as Chair of the Bass Department. This 12-month administrative position, reporting to the Dean of the Performance Division, involves academic, artistic, and administrative leadership for undergraduate and graduate bass students and a faculty of bass specialists. The role is pivotal as Berklee expands interdisciplinary learning, industry partnerships, and innovative performance opportunities. The Chair will work collaboratively to advance curricular excellence, support faculty development, promote student success, and manage departmental resources in alignment with institutional policies and priorities. The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader grounded in bass performance and pedagogy, with fluency across diverse musical styles and inspired by Berklee’s mission to educate adaptable, creative artists for the music industry.

Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Demonstrated expertise as a bass specialist with significant professional standing.
Record of successful collegiate-level teaching.
Demonstrated experience leading academic or artistic teams, arts administration, or comparable professional settings.
Ability to work effectively within a unionized academic environment and shared governance structure.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to mentor faculty and support student success.
Proficiency with instructional and administrative technologies.
Ongoing professional engagement in the music industry.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading faculty and staff in higher education.
Curriculum development and assessment experience.
Budget management and strategic planning experience.
Experience developing external partnerships or community engagement initiatives.
Experience building or sustaining relationships with industry partners, artists, or creative organizations.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the academic and artistic direction of the Bass Department.
Oversee the development, implementation, review, and assessment of departmental curriculum.
Guide curricular priorities emphasizing instrumental technique, performance health, reading proficiency, stylistic fluency, improvisation, ensemble performance, and professional preparation.
Provide leadership and supervision for department faculty and staff.
Support faculty development across all ranks through mentorship, clear expectations, and consistent communication.
Conduct faculty evaluations, including classroom observations, review of syllabi and instructional materials, analysis of student feedback, and preparation of written annual evaluations.
Ensure fair, transparent, and equitable application of policies related to teaching assignments, workload, promotion, and performance improvement.
Lead faculty recruitment and hiring processes in collaboration with the Dean, Human Resources, and in accordance with union guidelines.
Support student recruitment, orientation, advising, and retention initiatives.
Ensure students receive consistent academic guidance and access to appropriate support resources.
Foster an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that supports artistic development, well-being, and academic success.
Manage the Bass Department’s budget, facilities, and operational resources.
Oversee departmental programming including concerts, masterclasses, clinics, visiting artists, and special initiatives.
Plan and facilitate effective department meetings and coordinate departmental initiatives.
Represent the Bass Department within the Performance Division and across the institution.
Participate in divisional and institutional committees and initiatives as assigned by the Dean.
Represent Berklee externally through recruitment, conferences, performances, and partnership development activities.
Teach courses or provide instruction as assigned and approved by the Dean.
Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position and as assigned.