Employment at MSM

Position Description

Title:  Assistant or Associate Vice President for Strategic Innovation and Special Initiatives
Department: Office of the President
Reports To: President
Supervises: Executive Assistant and Staff Liaison to the Board of Trustees, Office of the President
Internal Contacts: Board of Trustees, members of various Advisory Boards, President’s Council, faculty, staff, alumni, students, donors
External Contacts:  Local/state/federal elected officials’ offices; local/state/federal lobbying firms supporting the arts, non-profit sector, and/or higher education; local/national/international arts institutions, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations
Employment Status: Full-time; Exempt
Salary Range: $105,000 to $135,000

Domains

• Develop, implement, and oversee strategic initiatives and special projects and initiatives as assigned.
• Serve as advisor to and representative for the President.
• Lead MSM’s Cultural Inclusion Initiative, including the schoolwide DEI strategy and all aspects of critical commitments and investments across the entire institution, partnering closely with the Office of the Provost and Academic Division Deans. Serve as an external ambassador for DEI practices for the industry, acting as a public spokesperson and representing MSM at higher education and performing arts conferences.
• Provide management of the School’s Strategic Plan. Help to facilitate strategic management processes for specific initiatives that are critical in meeting goals.
• Interact with members at all levels of the School community for the purpose of defining, advancing, and assessing the work of the Office of the President to ensure its continued effectiveness.
• Exercise considerable judgment with responsibility for analyzing policy issues, identifying School-wide impacts, and coordinating responses to the President on strategies and alternatives for dealing with the issues.
• Act as key member in coordinating important School events in collaboration with VIPs, including, but not limited to, Commencement Ceremony and Annual Gala.
• Organize and/or contribute to the preparation of reports, proposals, briefings, and presentations on institutional and strategic issues.
• Build and nurture relationships with key constituents to serve as a resource and point of contact for the President, including oversight of and liaison to the School’s government contacts and relations. These include, but are not limited to, federal, state, and city elected officials, and associated higher education and arts lobbying groups.
• Participate in key meetings with faculty, administrators, and others as needed and delegated. Represent the President’s position in internal meetings to help drive understanding and move decision-making forward.
• Manage office and authority for day-to-day operations and oversight.
• Serve as member of and liaison to the President’s Council.

Job Requirements/Preferred Characteristics

• Knowledge of performing arts fields aligned with the School’s vision and mission.
• Highly-developed communication skills and interpersonal awareness.
• Experience/adeptness in project and personnel management.
• Excellent demonstrated judgment and diplomacy working to creatively and quickly resolve problems and conflicts.
• High degree of integrity.
• Must have exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently while managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Proven track record of developing effective partnerships across disparate groups to organize and facilitate decisions and ensure implementation.
• Experience balancing strategic leadership with detailed involvement in support of accountabilities.
• Experience handling highly confidential and sensitive materials and situations.
• Knowledge of School and key stakeholders desirable.
• Graduate degree(s) preferred.
• Three years of relevant work experience required.

Contact Information

Send letter of application and résumé including three references to:

Carol Matos
Vice President for Administration and Human Relations
cmatos@msmnyc.edu

No phone calls, please.

Equal employment and equal educational opportunity have been and will continue to be fundamental principles at Manhattan School of Music, where employment and enrollment are based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination or harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the status of being transgender, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Manhattan School of Music does not permit retaliation against individuals who oppose a discriminatory practice or participate in an investigation.