Assistant Professor of Instruction Music Production and Creative Direction

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

The School of Audio and Music (SAM) of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time teaching-track Faculty position in Music Production and Creative Direction beginning August 2026.

We are seeking a dynamic contemporary music artist/professional and educator to support and assist coordination of the music production curriculum in the School of Audio and Music, and to serve as creative producer for the School’s primary performances and guest artist series.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in music and music production; advise and mentor students; and assist in coordinating the music production curriculum, foregrounding and amplifying the School of Audio and Music’s unique identity as a hub for the creation, performance, and study of contemporary popular music.  The candidate will also provide essential service to the School as creative producer for the student performances and guest artist series, including the Concert Hall Concert Series, student and class recitals, admissions-related presentations (Open House, Deep Dish Festival), and the Artist-in-Residency program.  Because of the significance and scope of this built-in service commitment, the customary 12-credit per semester teaching load will be reduced to six (6) credits per semester.  Additional light school and college service may be assigned as needed.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must be passionate about higher education and must exhibit excellent teaching qualities and sensibilities, fueled by their creative and professional practice.

 
The School of Audio and Music at Columbia College Chicago is a vibrant multifaceted community of music and sound practitioners and audio professionals, that fosters creativity, collaboration, and the creation and distribution of original sonic content in the next generation of audio and musical artists. It provides a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment engaged with new creative economies and technologies, positioning students to blur disciplinary boundaries and collaborate on team projects that open doors to the world beyond college.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate level in areas assigned by the School Director.

• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.

• Supervise and advise and mentor students.

• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.

• Commit to continuing professional development.

• Provide essential service as creative producer for the School of Audio and Music.

• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.
   

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college’s mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly, and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information, please visit here.

Required Qualifications

• A master’s or other terminal degree in music production or technology.  Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and significant professional experience may also be considered.

• Evidence of successful coordination and management of musical artists and performances.

Desired Qualifications

• Teaching experience at the college or university level.

• Commitment to principles of access and excellence with diverse constituencies.

• Knowledge of and proficiency with technologies and processes associated with contemporary music production, performance, and songwriting.

Experience with a wide variety of contemporary popular musical styles and practices.

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant’s background, qualifications, and vision for the position.

• A curriculum vitae.

• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.

• This is a non-union position.

• This is a full-time position

• This position is overtime ineligible.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

Provides undergraduate and graduate education in arts and media.