Assistant Chair, Electronic Production and Design
Berklee · Boston
Job Description:
Berklee College of Music is seeking applications for the position of Assistant Chair of the Electronic Production and Design Department. As one of the leading music technology programs in the world, Electronic Production and Design offers a curriculum that’s grounded in electronic music production, sound design, sound for visual media and immersive technologies, electronic music performance, new musical instrument design, and creative coding. We offer an undergraduate major (EPD), a Sound Design for Video Games specialization, an Electronic Digital Instrument (EDI) Principal Instrument Program, an Electronic Performance major and minor, an intermedia arts institute, and three summer programs. Our curriculum emphasizes the innovative use of technology, informed by research, creative practice, and developments in the field, preparing students for a broad range of creative and professional pathways.
The Electronic Production and Design Department includes 35+ faculty members. Many of the faculty provide classroom instruction and directed study specifically for EPD majors, while others teach music technology courses across the college, including the core technology class that is taken by all Berklee students.
The Assistant Chair will work under the direction and supervision of the Chair and serve as an academic administrator within the department. The ideal candidate will have advanced expertise in electronic music and sound design, along with 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.
They will be a highly engaged, hands-on leader with strong managerial and organizational skills who takes an active role in the day-to-day operations of the department. They will be an excellent communicator and collaborative problem-solver, working closely with the chair, faculty, staff, and students to address needs, coordinate priorities, and ensure the department runs effectively. The ideal candidate will be student-centered, approachable, and responsive, with a strong understanding of higher education, undergraduate curriculum, and the evolving needs of students and faculty.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Service to the Institution and to the Profession
- 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.
Departmental Administration
- Assist the Chair and faculty in advancing departmental goals, priorities, and initiatives and in carrying out assigned projects and responsibilities.
- Oversee departmental operations and provide leadership in the absence of the Chair.
- Support day-to-day departmental operations, including communicating policies and procedures, facilitating faculty meetings, and collaborating on course scheduling, registration, enrollment, and student placement needs.
- Foster communication and collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and other areas of the college to support departmental priorities and initiatives.
- Coordinate guest artists, workshops, special events, and other departmental programming, working with faculty and college partners on scheduling, logistics, and implementation.
- Manage and support departmental summer programs, coordinating faculty, curriculum and program content, guest artists, scheduling, preparation, and logistics, while providing hands-on, on-site support throughout the programs.
- Assist with student-facing departmental responsibilities, including major admissions, juries, and other academic processes as needed.
Faculty Support and Academic Administration
- Support the Chair in faculty development, evaluation, and departmental personnel processes, while the Chair retains primary responsibility for formal performance reviews, promotion recommendations, and other personnel decisions.
- Provide observations and feedback to the Chair regarding faculty teaching, curriculum, departmental participation, and other areas as appropriate.
- Assist with faculty onboarding and ongoing support, particularly for part-time faculty, helping faculty understand departmental curriculum, expectations, policies, procedures, and resources.
- Collaborate with the Chair on course scheduling and faculty teaching needs.
- Support faculty and course coordinators in the implementation of curriculum and in maintaining consistency and quality across departmental offerings.
- Help identify faculty development needs and opportunities and bring recommendations to the Chair.
- Participate in departmental searches, reviews, committees, and other faculty processes as assigned by the Chair.
Student Advising, Recruitment, and Retention
- Provide student advising through regular office hours and other departmental interactions, offering guidance on academic pathways, course selection, degree progression, and career development.
- Support student engagement and the overall student experience through departmental communications, supervision of departmental student employees, and advising student clubs and organizations.
- Coordinate extracurricular events, workshops, and activities that extend learning beyond the classroom, connect students with one another and the broader field, and foster a strong sense of departmental community.
- Support departmental recruitment and retention efforts, including participation in advising events, major fairs, recruitment and admissions activities, and other student-facing initiatives.
- Participate in departmental major admissions and scholarship processes, including reviewing incoming student 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 to creative and academic work.
Budget and Facilities Management
- Co-manage departmental budgets in collaboration with the Chair, supporting responsible resource allocation, budget planning, and accurate financial record-keeping.
- 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 that support faculty instruction and advance teaching and learning in EPD labs and classrooms.
- Coordinate the ongoing management and maintenance needs of EPD and EDI facilities, specialized labs, studios, and music technology equipment, working in partnership with appropriate college technical and facilities teams.
Teaching
- May include teaching a course, as appropriate and determined in consultation with the Chair.
Curriculum Development, Review, and Assessment
- Support the Chair in the administration and ongoing development of the department’s major, programs, and course offerings.
- Contribute to the development, review, assessment, and continuous improvement of departmental curriculum, ensuring that programs remain current, relevant, and responsive to developments in music, technology, and the professional field.
- Collaborate with faculty and course coordinators to support curriculum implementation, consistency across course sections, and alignment with departmental learning goals.
- Work with the Chair to identify emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities that can inform the future direction of departmental programs and curriculum.
- Support the ongoing review, writing, editing, and updating of departmental curriculum documentation and communications, including program and course documentation, Canvas course materials, website content, and materials related to academic program review.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned.
For this position, a college degree and prior teaching experience is highly desirable as well as excellent collaboration and communication skills. Berklee is a diverse community and a commitment to being a good community member in working with students and colleagues from all backgrounds is essential.
To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter that provides an overview of the strengths you will bring to this position, a current CV with links to current examples of your work as well as the name and contact information for three professional references.
Please submit your documents in Word/PDF format at Berklee Careers. Address your materials to: Electronic Production and Design Faculty Search Committee, Attn: Michele Darling, Chair of Electronic Production and Design, Berklee College of Music
APPLICATION REVIEW AND DEADLINE:This search will remain open for applications until the position is filled.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:
We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.
*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*