Vice President, Media and Arts Ventures

Emerson College•Boston, MA

4d•$300,000 - $350,000

About The Position

Emerson College invites applications and nominations for a visionary leader and experienced manager to serve as its inaugural Vice President for the Division of Media Arts and Ventures (DMAV). This newly conceived position represents a transformational opportunity to integrate and elevate the College’s distinctive constellation of arts and media assets into a unified strategic enterprise that advances Emerson’s mission while positioning the institution as Boston’s preeminent cultural destination and a national model for arts-integrated higher education. Reporting directly to President Jay Bernhardt and serving on the President’s Council, the VP for DMAV will provide executive leadership over a portfolio that includes ArtsEmerson, Boston’s leading presenter of global contemporary theater, along with WERS Radio, Emerson Contemporary gallery spaces, public art initiatives, and the operational infrastructure supporting five world-class performance venues in the heart of downtown Boston’s Theatre District. This position offers a rare chance to architect a comprehensive vision for how a premier communications and arts college can leverage professional programming to enhance student learning, strengthen community engagement, generate meaningful revenue, and establish cultural leadership at local, national, and international levels.

Requirements

Strategic Leadership and Transformation
Articulates and advances a compelling vision for arts presenting within a higher education context
Navigates academic structures and aligns programming with institutional priorities
Translates complex goals into actionable strategies and measurable outcomes
Leads effectively across multi-campus or global environments
Revenue Generation and Operational Excellence
Demonstrates entrepreneurial leadership in developing sustainable revenue streams
Oversees budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation with strong fiscal discipline
Uses data and analytics to inform decision-making and measure success
Drives organizational effectiveness through change management and continuous improvement
Collaborative Leadership, Communication, and Inclusion
Builds consensus across academic, administrative, and artistic stakeholders
Communicates with clarity and impact in public, written, and interpersonal settings
Leads with cultural competency and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and access
Fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing organizational culture
Artistic Innovation, Programming, and External Engagement
Curates diverse, forward-thinking programming across disciplines and formats
Maintains strong relationships within national and international arts presenting networks
Serves as a visible ambassador, elevating organizational profile and partnerships
Leverages media, broadcast, and digital platforms to expand reach and impact
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in arts administration, business, or related field strongly preferred
Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible arts management experience with at least 7 years in senior leadership roles
Demonstrated success in strategic planning, revenue generation, and organizational transformation within complex arts or higher education environments
Proven track record in fundraising and donor cultivation with experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets
Experience leading high-performing teams and navigating change management in multi-stakeholder environments
Strong business acumen combined with deep knowledge of the performing arts sector, audience development, and venue management
Familiarity with union environments and experience achieving artistic and institutional goals within frameworks of negotiated agreements
Exceptional communication skills with ability to articulate vision compellingly to diverse audiences including boards, donors, faculty, students, and community stakeholders

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated strategic vision for the Division of Media Arts and Ventures that elevates the Emerson brand, drives institutional distinction, and positions the College as Boston’s leading cultural destination
Architect innovative programming strategies that diversify content offerings beyond current specializations to include comedy, speaker series, musical performances, podcasting, and other formats that leverage Emerson’s distinctive alumni network and brand strengths
Lead the transformation from isolated cost center to integrated institutional capability that advances multiple strategic priorities while generating sustainable revenue
Champion the arts and media within Emerson College and across the Boston region, establishing the institution as a convener of cultural conversation and civic engagement
Create seamless pathways between professional programming and academic curricula, ensuring students gain meaningful professional experience and career acceleration opportunities
Foster collaborative relationships between DMAV operations and academic departments, particularly Performing Arts, Film, Marketing Communication, and Journalism, to enhance learning outcomes and industry preparation
Develop student professional development programs including internships, masterclasses, and guaranteed placement opportunities that distinguish Emerson’s experiential learning model
Integrate theaters and venues into campus tours and the overall Emerson student experience
Drive diversified revenue generation through facility optimization, corporate sponsorships, innovative programming, digital monetization, and enhanced ticketing strategies with a target of generating $2+ million in additional annual revenue
Lead strategic fundraising initiatives in partnership with Advancement, cultivating major donors and building relationships with foundations, corporations, and government funders
Provide strong fiscal oversight for an annual operating budget of approximately $10 million, ensuring expenditure control while achieving revenue goals
Optimize space utilization and scheduling to maximize venue availability for revenue-generating activities while maintaining priority support for academic programming
Build and strengthen relationships with Boston’s cultural community, civic leaders, peer institutions, and municipal officials to enhance Emerson’s position in the regional arts ecosystem
Represent the College in cultural leadership forums, arts advocacy initiatives, and community partnerships that amplify Emerson’s visibility and impact
Cultivate strategic partnerships with arts organizations, recording companies, artistic management firms, and promoters nationally and internationally
Develop alumni engagement strategies that leverage the College’s extraordinary network of successful graduates in entertainment, media, and the performing arts
Build and lead a high-performing, collaborative team of approximately 37 FTE professional staff, supported by students and intermittent staff across artistic programming, production, marketing, development, operations, and administration
Coach and mentor direct reports including Directors, Department Heads, and senior managers to achieve institutional vision and strategic objectives
Foster a culture of collaboration, service excellence, and institutional alignment that replaces siloed operations with integrated teamwork
Maintain effective communications with the President, President’s Council, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students to ensure alignment and transparency