Associate Professor, Orchestration & Arrangement (Media Design School)

The Associate Professor, Orchestration & Arrangement will be the senior full-time faculty member for the Screen Scoring programs at the Media Design School (MDS) at Strayer University and will serve under the dean as a co-department head. Teaching responsibilities will be focused in the named areas, which are critical to professional training, but the role will also encompass mentorship and instruction in the core subject of composition, as well as defined administrative duties This position supports the launch of the on-ground MFA and online graduate certificate programs and carries a full instructional load in both. Established professional expertise in orchestration for film and television and experience with online pedagogy, as well as team leadership skills, are required. The authorship and scripting of pre-recorded video content for the orchestration and arrangement units of the online certificate program will be a key near-term objective. The position is expected to require four days per week of residency in Atlanta for the duration of the MFA program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Teach a full instructional load across the MFA and online graduate certificate programs, serving as lead instructor for Hybrid Instrumentation and Arrangement (MFA503) and Advanced Orchestration (MFA513) and contributing to core Composition track courses.
• Deliver industry-relevant and professional level pedagogy in orchestration, arrangement, composition, hybrid/orchestral scoring, and score analysis; develop and refine syllabi, assignments, rubrics, and assessments.
• Co-lead development of online certificate content, including course design and scripting of online instructional materials.
• Use student and course analytics to inform outreach, intervention, and continuous improvement; create targeted text and video engagement materials supporting student success.
• Stay current with emerging technologies; support faculty adoption of best instructional practices; collaborate with Strayer Studios and Instructional Technology to ensure quality, accessibility, and timely content delivery.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the assigned course areas, ensuring smooth operations and policy alignment.
• Provide academic leadership in the Dean’s absence and contribute to curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and program review.
• Provide timely feedback and mentorship in craft, professional practice, and career development; foster an inclusive, student-centered learning environment.
• Assist dean in supervision of adjunct faculty.
• Residency in Atlanta, GA for minimum four days per week while program is in session.
• Seek opportunities to add value and perform additional duties as assigned to support the University's mission and goals.

Job Skills:

• Plans, sequences, and executes large-scale instructional or production workflows with strong organizational skills and follow-through.
• Assists the dean in leading adjunct faculty teams through effective coaching, mentorship, performance support, and clear communication.
• Builds strong interpersonal relationships that foster inclusion, trust, and collaboration with students and colleagues.
• Guides and motivates students with diverse learning needs, providing constructive feedback and handling sensitive issues with professionalism.
• Uses data and analytics effectively to support outreach, assessment, and ongoing course improvement.
• Adapts quickly to evolving pedagogical practices and instructional technologies and demonstrates openness to feedback and continuous growth.
• Demonstrates SEI’s Success Behaviors: inclusive teamwork, continuous learning, mission-driven execution, and innovative problem solving.

Work Experience:

• Extensive professional orchestration credits for commercial film, television, and documentary productions (arranging experience beneficial but not a substitute). Composition credits a plus.
• College-level teaching experience in film/TV orchestration, in both classroom and online environments, with at least 4 years of online teaching and a record of strong student evaluations.
• Advanced orchestration and musicianship expertise, including proficiency in notation software (Sibelius, Finale, Dorico), orchestrating from MIDI, transcription/takedown, hybrid/orchestral scoring, and advanced score analysis.
• Technical proficiency with cloud-based tools, LMS platforms, and media production workflows; ability to adopt emerging technologies, including social and mobile tools supporting student engagement.

Education:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required.
• Terminal degree (DMA/PhD) preferred; may be required depending on course credentialing needs.

Certificates, licenses and registrations:

• Professional certification in the disciplinary specialty, as required by credentialing standards.

Other:

• Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve plane, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 – 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 – 10%). 
• Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.
• If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
• Faculty and Federal Work Study roles require access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including computer, privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.
• This role may require lifting, however reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with our ADA policies.
• Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered. 
• Able to access information using a computer.
• Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc

SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary.  The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.

$84,900.00 - $127,400.00 - Salary

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at Careers@strategiced.com.