Director of Career Services and Entrepreneurial Studies

New England Conservatory of Music•Boston, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The New England Conservatory (NEC), a globally recognized independent music school, is seeking a Director to provide strategic leadership for its Office of Career Services and Entrepreneurial Studies (OCSES). This integrated support center focuses on professional skills, career development, entrepreneurial training, and arts leadership education for its approximately 750 music students from around the world. The Director will report to the Dean and Chief Artistic Officer and will be responsible for the design, integration, and ongoing development of the department's core areas: embedded professional skills, Entrepreneurial Musicianship, career development and internships, and the Arts Leadership Institute. This role involves leading a team, collaborating with various NEC departments (Academic Affairs, Community Engagement and Professional Studies), and building holistic advising frameworks to connect academic learning with professional pathways. The Director will manage a portfolio of experiential opportunities, including internships, grant programs, and mentorship initiatives, aiming to empower students to create their own musical opportunities and prepare them for high-impact professional careers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
At least 7+ years of professional experience in arts administration, management, or cultural entrepreneurship.
Proven ability to think strategically and execute large-scale projects that support arts leadership training and institutional growth.
Understanding career trajectories and professional aspirations of conservatory students; knowledge of conservatory education.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with faculty to embed entrepreneurial mindsets and leadership skills directly into academic coursework.
Past experience in college student advising or mentorship, with a focus on building "throughlines" between academic study and professional practice.
Experience leading high-impact internship or fellowship programs that prioritize professional development and career readiness.
Exceptional organizational skills and a strong record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders—including faculty, students, and external partners—to foster a multicultural professional environment.
Familiarity with Salesforce, Google Workspace, and specialized software such as Zapier or Gradleaders to manage student data and career outcomes.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s Degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the evolution of the department by integrating arts leadership, civic engagement, and creative agency into the core student experience.
Collaborate with the Community Engagement and Professional Studies (CEPS) team in improving support systems for students in their career endeavors.
Partner with the staff spearheading key strategic initiatives, such as the Arts Leadership Institute, to ensure a seamless transition for students from undergraduate/graduate study to high-impact professional careers.
Collaborate with Academic Affairs to build an advising ecosystem that connects a student’s artistic studio work with tangible career milestones and leadership skills.
Supervise and lead the OCSES team in planning, managing, expanding, and evaluating offerings, including courses, workshops, guest advisors and speakers, paid arts administration internships, professional development opportunities, Music Referral Service and Bridge, grant programs, fellowship and internship opportunities, and other curricular/co-curricular opportunities.
Serve as a consultant to NEC faculty, providing them with the tools and pedagogy needed to embed leadership and professional skills directly into their performance and classroom curricula.
Provide direct advising services to students on a broad swath of topics, ranging from specific topics (writing resumes, applying for grants, preparing for auditions, Fulbright applications) to broader exploration of student career aspirations and how to create a fulfilling professional life.
Manage all aspects of NEC’s internal and external student internships, as well as build new opportunities for the program within Boston and beyond.
Modernize the internship program to ensure students are not just assisting but are actively learning the mechanics of arts management and institutional impact.
Oversee budgets, grants, and other aspects of the Department, including management of student workers, relationships with external partners, marketing, and restricted funds.
Leverage the Alumni Engagement office to create a network where current students are mentored by established leaders in the global arts community.
Liaise with NEC’s Business and Institutional Advancement Departments to facilitate funding opportunities for the program.
In partnership with the program manager, manage financial processes, hours approval, and Federal Work Study compliance in collaboration with NEC’s Office of Student Employment and Office of Financial Aid.