Job Description:
Under the direction of the CEO of Berklee Online / Senior Vice President of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs, the Dean of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs leads the strategy, development, and administration of educational programs for Berklee Online and Summer Programs. The Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs (POPP) division encompasses Berklee Online, Berklee Press, Summer Programs, and the soon-to-be-launched K-12 platform, Berklee Open. This position plays a key leadership role not only in ensuring the overall quality of the learning experience in online and terrestrial programs but also in determining opportunities for new educational programs, products, and technologies that benefit and serve lifelong learners. This work should be approached through the lens of our division’s stated mission.Currently earning approximately $50mm in revenue, Berklee Online offerings largely serve adult learners and include over 300 à la carte (asynchronous/synchronous) courses; certificate programs; a bachelor’s degree program with multiple majors; and multiple master's programs, including a unique co-branded MBA program in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University; live (synchronous) masterclasses; massive open online courses (MOOCs) in partnership with Coursera, edX, and Kadenze. To date, MOOCs have had over 3.5mm in enrollments, while Berklee Online's offerings on its platform serve 18k enrollments annually. This role also plans and oversees Berklee Onsite, a campus-based three-day program where online students are invited to the Boston campus for networking and educational programming.
Summer Programs now serve 3k students, predominantly high-school-age with some middle-school-age and adult students, and earn approximately $12mm in revenue annually with programs currently in Boston, LA, New York, and online. The programs comprise three-day, five-day, two-week, three-week, and five-week experiences, both residential and day programs, and provide an important recruitment channel to Berklee's undergraduate programs, both at the College and Boston Conservatory at Berklee. The Dean of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs provides oversight of these offerings, ensuring their overall quality and effectiveness and pursuing opportunities for expansion and growth. The Dean is also responsible for Student Residential Life operations for Summer Programs.
The Dean of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs oversees budgets for Berklee Online academics and all aspects of Summer Program administration. The position has three direct reports who manage teams responsible for 1. Berklee Online curriculum design, online course development, and instructor administration; 2. Berklee Press; and 3. Summer Programs.
The Dean of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs uses market research and data-driven approaches to identify demand for new online courses and programs, along with opportunities to improve existing offerings. This role will collaborate with industry partners and our internal technology and design teams to develop programs centered on AI and other emerging technologies, ensuring alignment with best practices in teaching, learning, administration, and creative endeavors. They will support institution-wide discussions on the innovative and ethical integration of AI and XR technologies, guide exploratory initiatives, inform senior leadership, and help shape the future of online music and arts education. They will explore new educational frontiers and new delivery paradigms. Additionally, they will help test and evaluate new educational products and formats for lifelong learners and support the vision, curriculum development, and technological innovation of \"Berklee Open,\" POPP's online platform for K-12 arts educators and students.
The position works collaboratively within Academic Affairs and across the other divisions of Berklee to support the institution’s strategic plans and create pathways for students both to begin and complete their programs of study in alignment with their educational and career goals. The position leverages data-driven approaches to identify demand for academic programming to support these pathways, model their creation in partnership with academic, enrollment, finance, and facilities teams to ensure sustainability, and evaluate their execution to ensure overall quality. In addition, the position strives for the greatest efficiency in administering the pathways by leveraging available technologies.
The position provides leadership to ensure compliance with accreditation and accessibility standards; a unified approach to program and curriculum development; high-quality teaching; and student-centric, efficient operations. The position involves strong collaboration with teams within the division and with other institution divisions. Within Berklee Online, that collaboration largely involves the Marketing, Advising, Video Strategy, Technology, and Finance teams. With the rest of the institution, the collaboration largely involves Academic Affairs, including the Provost, divisional deans, department chairs, Institutional Research and Assessment, and Diversity and Inclusion. For Summer Programs, the collaboration involves Academic Affairs and Student Enrollment and Engagement (Campus Life, Student Health and Wellness, Equity, Student Financial Services, Enrollment Marketing, and Admissions).
The Dean of Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs has a significant impact on the ways in which learners from around the world can meaningfully engage with Berklee as well as future directions in online and residential education at Berklee.
This academic leadership position is a hybrid role with three days per week in our offices on Berklee’s Boston campus. Additional in-office days may be required at various times, including the height of the Summer Programs season.
Responsibilities
Program Development and Design
Drive market analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of Berklee Online educational offerings, including à la carte courses, certificate programs, and degree programs, Berklee Onsite, MOOCs, live workshops, etc.;
Identify opportunities for new curricular areas and learning formats, in addition to expanding markets served, especially K-12 learners, based on market research;
Collaborate with Academic Affairs (especially department chairs and faculty) on the design and development of courses and programs;
Work with industry partners to develop programs focused on AI and other emerging technologies, ensuring alignment with best practices in teaching, learning, administration, and creative endeavors while upholding Berklee’s principles and core values;
Lead in the research, development, and execution of innovative technology and methods for online course development and instructional delivery for adult learners and K-12 populations;
Identify and implement opportunities to provide hybrid learning opportunities for students, especially the ability for students to complete their first semester or first year online prior to matriculating to campus and to complete their degree once they have left the College;
Leadership and Collaboration
Provide leadership and support for all Berklee POPP teams;
Provide leadership and support for department chairs and program directors for their respective summer programs, ensuring they have what they need to deliver a high-quality experience;
Recruit, lead, and mentor a diverse group of professionals. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where staff members are empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents, enhancing overall team dynamics and institutional success;
Nurture staff by providing opportunities for professional growth and development in pursuit of excellence. Cultivate a passionate environment for student-centered learning experiences, efficient administrative processes, and communication that maximizes learning, retention, and overall academic success;
Cultivate and nurture partnerships with other educational providers, including MOOC platforms and higher education institutions, that support and enhance division goals;
Support the vision, curriculum development, and technological innovation of "Berklee Open," POPP's online platform dedicated to K-12 art educators and students, ensuring it represents educational excellence;
Compliance and Standards
Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and industry regulations relating to online education programs, including regional accreditation, state authorization, and accessibility compliance;
Oversee the development and administration of academic policies that govern Berklee Online and Summer Programs in coordination with policy-making bodies on campus;
Manage and address student conduct issues for Summer Programs and Berklee Online, and disciplinary cases in collaboration with the institution's legal and equity departments, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and promoting a fair and supportive educational environment;
Support the Summer Programs Student Life emergency management protocol, and actively participate in the escalation process as needed;
Innovation
Lead innovation in online and technology-mediated education. Stay informed about the latest advancements and support institution-wide discussions on innovative and ethical integration of AI and XR technologies. Guide exploratory initiatives and contribute to shaping the future of online music and arts education;
Test and evaluate new educational products, technologies, and formats for lifelong learners online and new TBD delivery platforms and paradigms.
Summer Programs Academic and Student Life Operations
Oversee Summer Programs, academic operations, and student life. This includes campus and online programming that responds to market demand and meets the needs of a broad range of constituents, including pre-college students, college students, and working professionals;
Collaborate with Student Affairs on Summer Programs, student health and wellness, housing, community standards, and equity;
Identify opportunities to expand Summer Programs, particularly for adult learners and in locations outside of Boston;
Set and monitor enrollment targets for Summer Programs and maximize recruitment opportunities for undergraduate programs in collaboration with the Enrollment Marketing and Management team;
Manage and address student, instructor, and program director matters as needed for Summer Programs;
Operations and Budgeting
Oversee budgets and contracts for Berklee Online’s and Summer Program’s academic endeavors;
Oversee the College's book publishing operation, Berklee Press, ensuring that the curation and development of new titles lead to healthy sales and a strengthening of the institution’s brand;
Institutional Strategic Goals
Support Berklee’s strategic plan and the initiatives that are driven by Berklee Online, Summer Programs, and Berklee Open;
Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, instructional technology, or equivalent;
At least 10 years of leadership experience in online education, preferably in music education;
At least 10 years of experience with program development, administration, and evaluation;
At least 10 years experience in residential education programs, preferably in music education;
Demonstrated ability to set academic strategy based on research, analysis, and alignment with institutional vision, strategy, and goals;
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals and groups at all levels of the College as well as external constituencies;
Demonstrated ability to lead teams and nurture their professional development, collegiality, and productivity;
Experience with educational technology, including content creation tools, content management systems, and learning management systems;
Must be a self-starter with demonstrated management experience, including budget planning, responsibility, and oversight;
Excellent multicultural, interpersonal, and written communication skills;
Strong organizational skills and sound decision-making, with the ability to meet deadlines, prioritize, and work on multiple projects simultaneously with great efficiency;
Ability to be flexible and adaptable, changing priorities as needed;
Ability to handle confidential matters with integrity and complete confidentiality;
Skilled and experienced with conflict resolution;
Demonstrated commitment to the music education profession;
Strong knowledge of today’s music styles, leading musical figures, and the structure/organization of the music industry.
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.
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