Dean of Academic Affairs

Job Description:

About Berklee Valencia

Berklee’s campus in Valencia is the first international campus established by Berklee College of Music, and its first campus outside of Boston. Located in the iconic City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain, Berklee’s Valencia campus offers four master’s degrees (MA in Global Entertainment and Music Business; MM in Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration); MM in Music Production, Technology, and Innovation; and MM in Scoring for Film, Television and Video Games). In addition, Berklee’s campus in Valencia offers a study abroad program for Berklee students as well as students from partner institutions and programs; a first year abroad program for Berklee undergraduates who will complete their bachelor’s degree in Boston; and summer programs. All of these programs together provide opportunities for students from around the world to join the global music community – as performers, as practitioners, and as leaders.

Our team of approximately 110 people (60 staff and 50 faculty) serve over 550 students per year, of whom approximately 140 are graduate students, 260 undergraduate, and 150 non-degree. For more information, visit valencia.berklee.edu.

Dean of Academic Affairs

The Dean of Academic Affairs for Berklee Valencia is a member of the Valencia Executive Team and is responsible for inspiring, energizing, managing, and guiding Berklee Valencia’s academic programs into the future, building upon Berklee’s strategic plan, the transformational vitality and creativity of Berklee’s students and faculty, and embracing Berklee Valencia’s unique presence in Europe and the Mediterranean. With an entrepreneurial spirit and in collaboration with the Executive Director and Berklee Academic Affairs, the dean provides direction on the development, implementation and oversight of the academic strategy and academic operations of the Valencia campus as well as leadership to an academic team composed of seasoned educators and industry professionals.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Berklee Valencia, the Dean of Academic Affairs is a key campus and institutional leader, supporting the mission of Berklee Valencia, as well as that of Berklee. The Dean also works collaboratively with the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost, academic vice presidents, division deans, and other Berklee Boston personnel to shape and develop programs at Berklee Valencia and ensure consistency between Valencia and Boston in curriculum offerings (including courses for Berklee Boston undergraduate students who choose to study abroad at Berklee Valencia) as well as to develop programs that complement existing offerings. Likewise, the individual works closely with other leaders of the Valencia campus to align strategy, goals, and processes and to be coordinated at all levels.

This is a full-time leadership and administrative position that is on-campus in Valencia, Spain (not remote) and requires occasional travel.

Description of Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership and Innovation

1. Lead, inspire, and manage the academic affairs staff team formed by academic program directors, academic operations, technology, and library teams. This includes:

• with the Program Directors, the hiring, onboarding, and assessment process of faculty, including promotions, in coordination with the Office of the Provost, the Valencia Executive Director, and Human Resources.
• Developing and maintaining initiatives for faculty development in Valencia.
• Overseeing Academic Program Review and accreditation requirements for Valencia.

• Ensure that program offerings are aligned with Berklee’s mission and vision.
• Ensure that curriculum design is relevant and consistent with the established learning outcomes of each program.
• Assess and monitor the sustainability and contributions of each program to the campus mission and vision.
• Serve as a member of Berklee academic committees as needed.
• Evaluate, in consultation with the Valencia Executive Team, all campus proposals for new or changed programs, both credit- and non-credit bearing.
• Collaborate with program directors and academic curriculum committees on any new and revised courses for Valencia.
• Collaborate with the Library team on the integration and coordination of the academic curriculum needs with the development of the library and information services.
• Oversee and identify projects with local and external partners.

• Ensure academic policies are being followed.
• Monitor effectiveness of Valencia registration and scheduling processes to optimize student experience and space usage.
• Administer guest artists and speaker policies; approve campus guest artists and speakers.
• Monitor student academic progress in coordination with program directors, Director of Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, and colleagues in Boston.
• Create and maintain the academic calendar, overseeing semestral planning in terms of holidays and academic events, in coordination with the operations department.

Management

1. Manage direct reports: academic program directors; academic affairs/records and services team; manager of academic research and learning resources; director of technology; artistic director. This list is subject to change.
2. Oversee budgets for academic affairs departments (supervised by program directors), including the Valencia graduate programs, the undergraduate and summer programs, the academic technology department, the library and information services department, and academic affairs operations.
3. Work closely with the Director of Operations on ensuring campus facilities meet student needs as well as on the budget planning and legal aspects related to the academic affairs area. Work with the Senior Manager of Human Resources on topics relating to personnel and labor.

Accreditation and Program Assessments

1. Lead the academic assessment of the Valencia Campus programs:

• Develop and maintain ongoing program assessment and implement improvements.
• Lead program reviews in coordination with the office of institutional research and assessment.

• Annual reports to be submitted to the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV).
• Program modification reports, as needed.
• Reaccreditation processes.
• Manage the relationship with the quality assurance office at the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the regional and national accreditation agencies.
• Collaborate with the institutional assessment office in Boston on data, information, and assessment needs, as appropriate.

Required Experience:

The Dean of Academic Affairs at the Valencia campus will be an individual able to embrace, uphold and model the core values of respect for, openness to, and awareness of the spectrum of values and backgrounds that enrich our environment at Berklee, and be passionate about music and education. This person will be an accomplished educator and expert in higher education, with experience in course and program development, who will lead the academic affairs strategy and academic operations of the campus. The Dean must have interpersonal, managerial, administrative, and organizational skills and experience to navigate a complex international academic setting, balancing structure, creativity, and flexibility. This individual should have a demonstrated capacity to develop and foster enriching working relationships with individuals and embrace a broad range of identities, perspectives and experiences. Most importantly, the Dean needs to be student focused, with a particular attention to the interests and needs of today’s students.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years experience teaching at the post-secondary level.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in an administrative and/or leadership capacity.
• A master’s degree.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, listening, and consensus-building skills.
• Knowledge and demonstration of strong pedagogical practices.
• Experience with curriculum development and assessment.
• A demonstrated understanding of the U.S. educational system.
• International experience (studying abroad, living abroad, leading study abroad programs, etc.).
• Fluency in English (minimum C1 equivalency).
• A willingness to learn Spanish (if not already fluent).
• An appreciation of and experience with music.
• An appreciation and support of the diversity of curricular and student support offerings at Berklee.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In addition to the above requirements, the successful candidate will bring many of the following experiences and qualities:

• An advanced degree in music and/or a discipline related to those of the institution.
• An earned doctorate and/or other terminal degree.
• Over 5 years experience teaching at the post-secondary level.
• Over 5 years experience in an administrative and/or leadership capacity, with increasing responsibility.
• Experience teaching in and/or managing undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Experience in a music or performing arts institution or program.
• Experience with the U.S. post-secondary system.
• Experience building academic programs.
• Experience managing teams.
• Professional experience in international education (study abroad, international exchanges, etc.).
• Professional experience working with pre-College age students.
• Experience with accreditation.
• Advanced musicianship.
• Overall understanding of the music industry.
• Fluency in Spanish.

For full consideration, please submit your resume and cover letter, in English, by October 21, 2024. Professional references and additional information may be requested at a later date. The anticipated start date for this position is summer 2025.

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: Staff