Director of Career Services and Entrepreneurial Studies

The New England Conservatory, an independent not-for-profit institution, is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With approximately 750 music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz, and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Division of Expanded Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director provides strategic leadership for the Office of Career Services and Entrepreneurial Studies (OCSES), NEC’s integrated support center for embedded professional skills, career development, entrepreneurial training, and arts leadership education. Reporting to the Dean and Chief Artistic Officer, the Director oversees the design, integration, and continuous development of the department and its primary areas of embedded professional skills, Entrepreneurial Musicianship, career development and internships, and the Arts Leadership Institute, and leads a team of staff and student workers in the department. A primary focus of the role is collaborating with the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Community Engagement and Professional Studies (CEPS), and the faculty to build holistic advising frameworks that bridge the gap between classroom learning, applied studio work, and professional pathways. The Director manages a portfolio of high-impact experiential opportunities, including internships with a range of organizations, grant programs, and professional mentorship initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the evolution of the department by integrating arts leadership, civic engagement, and creative agency into the core student experience.

• Collaborate with the Community Engagement and Professional Studies (CEPS) team in improving support systems for students in their career endeavors.

• Partner with the staff spearheading key strategic initiatives, such as the Arts Leadership Institute, to ensure a seamless transition for students from undergraduate/graduate study to high-impact professional careers.

• Collaborate with Academic Affairs to build an advising ecosystem that connects a student’s artistic studio work with tangible career milestones and leadership skills.

• Supervise and lead the OCSES team in planning, managing, expanding, and evaluating offerings, including courses, workshops, guest advisors and speakers, paid arts administration internships, professional development opportunities, Music Referral Service and Bridge, grant programs, fellowship and internship opportunities, and other curricular/co-curricular opportunities.

• Serve as a consultant to NEC faculty, providing them with the tools and pedagogy needed to embed leadership and professional skills directly into their performance and classroom curricula.

• Provide direct advising services to students on a broad swath of topics, ranging from specific topics (writing resumes, applying for grants, preparing for auditions, Fulbright applications) to broader exploration of student career aspirations and how to create a fulfilling professional life

• Manage all aspects of NEC’s internal and external student internships, as well as build new opportunities for the program within Boston and beyond.

• Modernize the internship program to ensure students are not just assisting but are actively learning the mechanics of arts management and institutional impact.

• Oversee budgets, grants, and other aspects of the Department, including management of student workers, relationships with external partners, marketing, and restricted funds.

• Leverage the Alumni Engagement office to create a network where current students are mentored by established leaders in the global arts community.

• Liaise with NEC’s Business and Institutional Advancement Departments to facilitate funding opportunities for the program.

• In partnership with the program manager, manage financial processes, hours approval, and Federal Work Study compliance in collaboration with NEC’s Office of Student Employment and Office of Financial Aid.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree and at least 7+ years of professional experience in arts administration, management, or cultural entrepreneurship. A Master’s Degree is preferred.

• Proven ability to think strategically and execute large-scale projects that support arts leadership training and institutional growth.

• Understanding career trajectories and professional aspirations of conservatory students; knowledge of conservatory education.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with faculty to embed entrepreneurial mindsets and leadership skills directly into academic coursework.

• Past experience in college student advising or mentorship, with a focus on building "throughlines" between academic study and professional practice.

• Experience leading high-impact internship or fellowship programs that prioritize professional development and career readiness.

• Exceptional organizational skills and a strong record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders—including faculty, students, and external partners—to foster a multicultural professional environment.

• Familiarity with Salesforce, Google Workspace, and specialized software such as Zapier or Gradleaders to manage student data and career outcomes.

NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Annual Clery Report

In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. This report will provide the reader with a record of statistics regarding crimes that were reported in the NEC community during the previous three years as well as College policies and procedures, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This report may be accessed here. A paper copy can be requested by contacting NEC's Director of Public Safety at 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.