Department Chair, Guitar Faculty

Position Summary

The Department Chair, Guitar is a leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, development, and oversight of the Peabody Preparatory Guitar Department. This position will lead the department into a new era of excellence, focusing on innovative programming, a robust curriculum, enhanced student experiences, and fostering a vibrant community of learners and educators. The Chair will manage a comprehensive program providing private and group music instruction to students across a broad range of abilities, backgrounds, and ages, while providing supervision and mentorship to departmental faculty.

The role requires a blend of administrative leadership and active teaching responsibilities.

• Lead the development and implementation of a forward‑thinking, long‑term vision for the Guitar Department, identifying strategic opportunities for student and teacher growth, and anticipating evolving institutional needs.

• Cultivate relationships with key figures and institutions in the guitar and performing arts community to create enriching future opportunities for students and faculty, aligning with the department's strategic goals.

• Serve on Peabody Preparatory's Director's Council, actively contributing to broader institutional strategy and initiatives.

• Develop, guide, and continuously review Peabody Preparatory's guitar curriculum and student evaluation standards to ensure a comprehensive, high‑quality, and equitable educational trajectory for all departmental students.

• Actively manage year‑round student placements for private lessons, including maintaining availability in‑person or online placement sessions, conducting placement sessions, facilitating student/parent orientations, introducing students to their recommended instructor, and maintaining communication with unplaced students.

• Provide guidance and support for new and current students.

• Coordinate student transfers efficiently by communicating with office staff and assigning faculty.

• Organize and oversee studio and department recitals, delegating responsibilities to individual faculty where applicable.

• Regularly gather and critically review program feedback from faculty, students, and parents to inform continuous improvement.

• Communicate regularly and proactively with students regarding department activities and unique opportunities.

• Collaborate with faculty and Preparatory leadership (Assistant Director and Director) to effectively manage student and family issues.

• Working closely with the Assistant Director and Director of the Preparatory, formulate and implement an effective student recruitment and retention plan that aligns with strategic growth.

• Supervise and evaluate all departmental faculty and ensure participation in developing and maintaining a dynamic curriculum.

• Optimize each faculty member's teaching load to leverage their strengths, ensuring an appropriate balance of group to private teaching and aligning private students with the teacher's expertise in age range, motivation levels, learning styles, communication needs, and methodology.

• Collaborate with faculty, Preparatory leadership, and HR to effectively manage and resolve faculty‑related issues.

• Coordinate with the Assistant Director and Director of the Preparatory on all aspects of faculty hiring, including recruitment, credential review, interviews, and recommendations, ensuring alignment with departmental vision.

• Establish and champion excellence in teaching, curriculum, and community engagement.

• Schedule and lead regular departmental meetings (at least one per year) to foster communication and collaboration.

• Foster a strong sense of community within the department by involving faculty in decision‑making and program development. Solicit and help shape ideas from faculty regarding new initiatives they are interested in developing.

• Mentor faculty through regular feedback on teaching and student outcomes.

• Communicate critical deadlines to department faculty for information pertaining to exams, recitals, and other department events as appropriate.

• Along with the Assistant Director and Director of the Preparatory and finance, develop and manage the…