Executive Director, Technology and Applied Composition

Description

San Francisco Conservatory of Music is one of the world’s premier institutions for the study of music, located at the epicenter of art and technology, in the heart of San Francisco. SFCM’s community includes over 450 talented student musicians from around the globe, over 100 internationally renowned faculty members, and an amazing staff of creative innovators who make the magic happen on campus.   

In Fall 2020, SFCM opened the Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Center for Performing Arts (the Bowes Center), a landmark building that transforms San Francisco’s arts district with an unparalleled space for students to create, share, and engage with music. SFCM also recently acquired Opus3 Artists, Askonas Holt, and Pentatone Records, giving conservatory students a direct link to some of the most successful artists worldwide and inviting limitless opportunities for connection and collaboration. 

The Technology and Applied Composition (TAC) program at SFCM is a groundbreaking collegiate music program at the intersection of composition, music technology, and electronic media and San Francisco Conservatory of Music is seeking the next Executive Director.

The ideal candidate will have a bold vision for the future of the intersection of technology and music, have experience in curriculum design, can embrace cross-departmental collaboration, be an excellent communicator and have strong business acumen.  The ideal candidate has also demonstrated the ability to thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, as creative tools to expand, enhance, and reimagine student artistic output while maintaining a strong commitment to originality and artistic integrity.  

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the Technology and Applied Composition Program, ensuring its alignment with the overall mission and vision of SFCM. Include hyperlink https://sfcm.edu/discover/about-us/mission-vision
• Support and direct a comprehensive curriculum that integrates technology and composition, while fostering creativity, experimentation and collaboration among students.
• Support and direct a program that embraces interdisciplinary collaboration and industry standards across film and game scoring, sound design and audio engineering, electronic and experimental composition, coding and instrument building, through emerging creative practices  in sound and visual media.
• Collaborate with faculty members to recruit, retain, and mentor a diverse and talented student body.
• Foster strong partnerships with industry professionals, technological innovators, and artistic organizations to enhance opportunities for student growth and development.
• Remain at the forefront of emerging trends and advancements in music technology as they pertain to composition and education, seamlessly infusing cutting-edge techniques and tools into the program.
• Cultivate an inclusive and supportive learning environment that encourages collaboration, experimentation, and artistic exploration.
• Represent the program and SFCM at conferences, industry events, and community engagements.
• Establish and execute assessment efforts to promote ongoing program improvement and address student needs. 
• Lead program reviews of the department and degree program.
• Serve as a faculty member to coordinate and teach the weekly TAC forum (and potentially other relevant coursework).
• Serve as an academic advisor for TAC students.
• Curate and arrange visits from industry-leading guest artists, lecturers, and performers.
• Recruit, train, and mentor department faculty in collaboration with the Provost and Dean.
• Create and maintain an effective working environment for all personnel within the department.
• Conduct a semesterly review of faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with the director of admissions and admissions staff on timely student communications and on efforts to identify and yield prospective undergraduates throughout the enrollment process--including, as needed, recruitment travel, audition planning and execution, contributing to the evaluation of applicants, offering trial lessons or class visits, and participating in other special events for families, students, teachers and/or counselors.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies.
• Participate in storytelling led by SFCM's marketing and communications team to highlight the school, program, and its experts. Further develop the Technology and Applied Composition brand on industry-relevant social media channels while adhering to SFCM brand guidelines.
• Oversee budgetary planning and management, as well as departmental resources/equipment.
• Perform other duties as needed to cultivate a phenomenal student learning experience. 

Requirements

• A master's degree or higher in music, music technology, composition, interactive media,  or a related field.
• 5-7 years of leadership experience.
• Command a profound understanding of the intersection between technology and music composition, boasting mastery of industry-standard software and hardware.
• Exude profound leadership acumen, capable of inspiring and motivating a dynamic team comprising faculty members, staff, and students alike.
• Significant professional experience in music composition, technology, or a related field, with a proven track record of creative and innovative work.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in program development and curriculum design, preferably in an educational or arts-related setting.
• A passion for music education and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
• Knowledge of current trends and advancements in music technology, digital music production, and media composition.
• A record of successful teaching experience, and significant experience in an educational setting for collegiate students.
• Dynamic management and excellent interpersonal skills, with demonstrated organizational, administrative, and financial skills.
• Ability to develop and communicate policies and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral form.  
• Self-starter with the ability to learn, develop, and embrace productivity workflows that support the management of an academic department. 

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications through our website. This position will be posted until filled.

Please submit the following in your application:

• Letter of intent that addresses your relevant expertise, experiences, and interests
• A current resume or CV
• Names and contact information for three (3) references
• Links to online samples of your professional work or portfolio

EOE

SFCM is a fully committed equal employment opportunity institution and welcomes applications from all qualified persons.  SFCM will not discriminate against applicants for employment and employees because of race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran, age, citizenship, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state and local laws.