President

Job Description:

BERKLEE: A SHARED HISTORY, A UNIFIED MISSION
As the premier destination for the study of contemporary music and the performing arts, Berklee stands as the culmination of two pioneering institutions, each recognized for its global reach and cultural impact. Founded in 1867, Boston Conservatory at Berklee is the oldest and one of the most prestigious conservatories in the U.S. for dance, music, and theater. Berklee College of Music opened its doors in 1945 and was founded on jazz and popular music rooted in the African cultural diaspora. In 2016, the two schools joined forces, establishing a diverse and comprehensive performing arts powerhouse unparalleled in its breadth and depth.
This shared history makes for an institution that blazes trails in music and performing arts education. Boston Conservatory was the first school of its kind to grant undergraduate degrees in all three major performing arts disciplines: music, dance, and theater. Berklee College of Music became the first to offer courses and/or degrees in rock, pop, and hip-hop; songwriting; film and video game scoring; music synthesis; and electronic digital instruments.
Berklee continues to integrate and find connections between its historical roots and the contemporary worlds of music, dance, and theater. With a mission to educate, train, and develop students to excel in the performing arts as a career, Berklee is a place where artists come together to innovate, and where artistic and cultural diversity is embraced and celebrated. This ethos permeates all aspects of Berklee—from teaching and learning to administration and governance—and is fundamental to the Berklee experience.
With an eye on sustainable growth in a global context, Berklee cultivates its own promise by expanding and reinventing itself in a rapidly changing world. In recent years, Berklee has opened new campuses in New York City and Valencia, Spain, and grown Berklee Online into the world’s largest online music school.
Berklee aspires to transform contemporary music and performing arts education and empower artists to better our world. Building an inclusive culture that promotes diversity in all its forms, Berklee forges new connections among art forms, musical traditions, technologies, and institutions, creating a dynamic global network that fosters innovation, collaboration, and community.
Berklee’s different learning environments serve the wide range of interests and aptitudes of its artistic student body, totaling more than 8,000 students.
Berklee, the preeminent institution for contemporary music and performing arts education, seeks a visionary individual to lead us into a new era of artistic excellence and innovation.
Anchored in the belief that an education in the arts deepens cultural awareness and empathy, enhances self-confidence and personal growth, and cultivates openness and curiosity, Berklee prepares students not only to fully realize their creative and career potential but also to promote the power of the arts to better our world.
As an important hub in a global community of innovative professionals, Berklee is a microcosm of the performing arts world, where different artistic styles and genres intersect with diverse cultures across generations of artists to produce surprising new forms of creative expression.
The next President of Berklee will be well-positioned to build upon our strong foundation as an institution with a singular reputation and a diversified program portfolio from years of strategic investments.
As creative industries evolve rapidly, it is critical that we adapt to and influence these shifts to maintain our position as the innovative leader in contemporary music and performing arts education.
The dynamism of these creative fields and how technology impacts them also presents an opportunity for Berklee to expand our offerings beyond the education of aspiring music and performing arts professionals. These ambitions might include partnerships with diverse entities and artists, including revenue opportunities, research endeavors, and strategic collaborations.
To achieve this, we will need to continue to make large-scale investments in big ideas that will require significant resources, vision, and coalition building. The President, along with our faculty, staff, and students, will drive that ambition to reality.
Importantly, in leading Berklee through our next era, the President must possess integrity, high emotional intelligence, humility, a sense of humor, a collaborative spirit, a commitment to building community, and a deep respect for Berklee’s mission and people.

The President is responsible for the following specific activities:
 

Shape and implement a compelling vision and strategic plan that builds from Berklee’s current institutional priorities; our strong foundations and culture of excellence, innovation, and creativity; and our mission to educate and develop students who will excel in music, dance, theater, and related fields as a career.
 

Prioritize students at every point in their Berklee experience, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met, from enrollment to graduation.
 

Lead transformative initiatives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the leadership team and throughout Berklee, driving impactful change while strengthening campus culture and climate.
 

In partnership with a strong and committed board of trustees, identify and develop the next generation of donors and trustees, ensuring Berklee has access to the philanthropic support and expertise we need to thrive in the future.
 

Continue to drive a comprehensive culture and operating model that recognizes the strengths of each campus and learning environment while leveraging the power of connectivity and a united brand that showcases Berklee’s unique position in contemporary music and performing arts education.
 

Motivate the integration and advancement of technology across all facets of Berklee’s educational and administrative functions. Drive innovation in online learning, leverage cutting-edge tools for music production and performance, and ensure we remain at the forefront of technological advancements.
 

Provide strategic leadership and direct resources to optimize Berklee’s operating platform— systems, processes, facilities, organizational structure, etc.—so that it seamlessly supports the work of current students, faculty, and staff and can scale to support future growth.
 

Strategically pursue opportunities for partnerships and growth globally that expand Berklee’s footprint and strengthen its leadership position.
 

Actively work to recruit and develop world-class faculty and staff. Effectively engage with the faculty union to ensure a harmonious and supportive working environment.
 

Support the provost and the faculty in continual assessment and improvement of the curriculum, reinforcing its foundations for future growth and innovation.
 

Prioritize and champion health and wellness initiatives, fostering a holistic approach to student, faculty, and staff well-being. Support and nurture Berklee programs that integrate music and art to promote the overall health and wellness of our collective communities.
 

Vision, Passion, and Innovation in Performing Arts: An expansive thought leader on how music and the performing arts can impact the world in positive ways, with a track record of innovation and inspiring others to mobilize behind a vision. The ability to harness Berklee’s appetite for bold ideas to chart and implement a differentiated strategy in partnership with a diverse set of stakeholders. Regardless of the individual’s professional background: a genuine, deep appreciation for the importance of music, dance, and theater education is crucial.
 

Community-Focused Organizational Leadership: A track record of successful leadership in large, complex organizations, with an appreciation for the special characteristics of leadership in an academic enterprise. A commitment to being a visible and engaged leader who actively supports the community’s growth and well-being. Evidence of outstanding financial and operational management, and an ability to delegate and articulate clear direction and expectations. Strong people management skills, and the ability to recruit, retain, and develop a diverse and talented team that works together to uphold a culture of trust, empathy, and accountability.
 

Curiosity and Compassion: An inherent curiosity about people and the world, with a passion and genuine care for the individuals who make Berklee unique. A connector, collaborator, and listener who actively seeks to understand the wisdom and motivations of our community, fostering an environment where people feel heard, appreciated, and empowered. A resolve to be deeply present and strongly grounded in principles that are rooted in Berklee’s fundamental values.
 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; an understanding of the interdependence of cultural traditions within the art forms and professional practices Berklee students explore and of the necessity for diversity in artistic innovation; and experience leading institutional change centered on these commitments and understandings.
 

Global Outlook and Resource Building: A global outlook, with understanding and respect for the potential contributions from local, national, and international communities to Berklee’s mission. A history of relationship building and collaboration to support mission and revenue goals. A leader who can inspire and animate external audiences—including Berklee’s passionate alumni and those who are simply inspired by the performing arts—to invest in the institution’s future through fundraising and other engagements.
 

BERKLEE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES

Each learning environment at Berklee brings distinctiveness to the whole and creates a portfolio of opportunities to deepen and broaden the Berklee experience of every student and all members of the faculty and staff. Our ability as a community to bring these beliefs to life is built on a shared commitment to uphold these fundamental values:
 

We learn from the past to create the future.
We respect the rights, dignity, and creative expression of all.
We expect honesty and integrity in all interactions.
We have the courage to be authentic.
We take responsibility for our actions.
We care for each other and for the well-being of our community.

BERKLEE’S GLOBAL REACH
Berklee comprises several distinct, interconnected units:
 

Berklee College of Music is the world’s singular learning lab for the music of today—and tomorrow. It is a microcosm of the music world, reflecting the interplay between music and culture, and an environment where aspiring music professionals learn how to integrate new ideas, adapt to changing musical genres, and showcase their skills in an evolving community.
 

Boston Conservatory at Berklee is internationally recognized as an innovative leader among conservatory programs, focused on elevating and celebrating every aspect of the performing arts. The Conservatory is distinguished by a vision of music, dance, and theater that encompasses a multidisciplinary learning environment, creative programming, and deep community engagement.
 

Berklee Online, founded in 2002, is the world’s largest online music education system, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs that serve musicians from more than 150 countries. Because Berklee Online isn’t tethered to a physical campus, anyone in the world can get a Berklee education at their own pace for less than the cost of on-campus tuition.
 

Berklee Valencia, founded in 2012, is Berklee’s first international campus, offering master’s degree programs, study abroad, and summer programs. Leveraging our presence in Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as our connection with Latin America, the campus helps students develop a global mindset while expanding their professional opportunities on a global scale.
 

Berklee NYC, founded in 2017, is Berklee’s campus in New York City, offering a one-year master’s degree program with three distinct specializations, along with world-class musical programming, and visual capture in 360-degree cinematic virtual reality. The campus is located at the historic Power Station recording studio on West 53rd Street, which was renamed Power Station at Berklee NYC.
 

Berklee City Music has provided educational opportunities for talented youth in underserved communities for over 30 years, with partners in cities across America and abroad, reaching more than 53,000 students each year. Through a long-standing partnership with the New York City Department of Education, Berklee City Music brings music programs to more than 1,800 public schools.
 

Berklee Global infuses a global perspective into the institution’s overall strategy and creates new ways to collaborate and form partnerships through artistic and educational exchanges. The Berklee Global network encompasses the Berklee Abu Dhabi Center, over 20 partner schools, and programs in Europe and Latin America.
 

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Berklee’s leadership is committed to creating an open, welcoming, and inclusive community that sets high standards for achievement in a creative, dynamic, and supportive environment. In addition to the President, the institution’s leadership is made up of the senior leadership, Board of Trustees, Executive Director’s Advisory Council, and Presidential Advisory Council.

NOMINATION/APPLICATION INFORMATION

Initial screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Berklee will be assisted by Jackie Zavitz, Angela Gardner, Darren Cinti, Deborah Rheem, and Sulli Cressler of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. Nominations and applications should be directed to: [email protected]

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 [email protected] or call 617-747-2375.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:
Executive