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. 

About Berklee College of Music

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 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. The College 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 mus...ic, 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.

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