Associate Dean for Artistic Administration

New England Conservatory

$90K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in music studies, arts administration, or related field required.
  • Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in a conservatory or arts setting.
  • Ability to inspire and manage a diverse faculty and staff team.
  • Deep understanding of conservatory-based educational models.
  • Extensive experience collaborating with musicians and music faculty.
  • Exceptional judgment and discretion in sensitive personnel and artistic matters.
  • Strong analytical skills with experience in strategic planning.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and monitor performance department budgets for financial health and strategic goals.
  • Supervise all Performance Department Chairs, guiding artistic direction and contractual obligations.
  • Oversee faculty contracting processes in partnership with Human Resources.
  • Administer performance departments and oversee annual performance schedules.
  • Provide strategic oversight to the ICA Advisor for elite performers.
  • Lead annual artistic season planning with the Dean and department chairs.
  • Negotiate artist residencies and foster partnerships for student learning opportunities.
  • Manage faculty assignments, studio loads, and recruitment of new faculty members.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and innovative working environment.
  • Engagement with leading industry professionals.
  • Opportunities for interdisciplinary artistic collaboration.
  • Access to resources for professional development and growth.
  • Support for strategic initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness.
Full Job Description
The Associate Dean for Artistic Administration serves as a strategic and operational partner to the Dean and Chief Artistic Officer, providing high-level strategic leadership for the Conservatory's artistic infrastructure. This role is a trusted deputy to the Dean, responsible for long-term season planning, the centralization of administrative functions, and the supervision of all Performance Department Chairs to ensure institutional consistency, communication, and continuity. The Associate Dean brings a keen understanding of the career aspirations of conservatory students and plays a critical role in implementing goals that support student recruitment, retention, and success. Primary Duties and Responsibilities 1. Administrative Leadership • Develop and monitor performance department budgets, ensuring they align with NEC's long-term financial health and strategic priorities. • Serve as the primary supervisor for all Performance Department Chairs, providing guidance on artistic direction and faculty contractual obligations. • In partnership with Human Resources, oversee the annual faculty contracting process for all performance faculty. • 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. 2. Artistic Leadership • 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. • In partnership with Chairs, manage faculty assignments and studio loads, as well as the recruitment of new faculty members. • Create opportunities for interdisciplinary innovation and build strong spirit-of-partnership connections across different musical genres and departments. 3. Operational Oversight • 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. Qualifications • 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.

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