Director of Education

Job Title: Director of Education
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Classification Regular, Full-time
Wage Classification: Salaried, Exempt
Pay Range: 55,000 - 60,000 Annual

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Education is responsible for overseeing the planning and directing all of Fleisher’s educational programs, which include art classes for all ages. The Director works closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors in all programmatic endeavors.

The Director of Education ensures that Fleisher’s education programs effectively and efficiently align with its mission, to bring the greatest amount of impact to Philadelphia residents who face barriers accessing art education. The Direct of Education is responsible for securing about one-third of Fleisher’s annual operating budget through tuition and fees, and in collaboration with the Associate Director of Youth Education informing, designing, and executing all education programs aimed to deepen student engagement and diversify the organization’s base of stakeholders.

The Director of Education will develop and be held accountable for an annual education programs budget. The Director of Education supervises a team of ambitious, highly-capable staff including the Children and Youth Manager, Adult Education Associate, Community Partnership in the Arts Manager, Education Coordinator, Registrar and Visitor Services Manager They provide support, professional development opportunities, and leadership for the team.

The Director of Education serves as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making strategic decisions affecting Fleisher.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participate in the conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies for furthering the achievement of Fleisher’s culture and values, overall vision, mission, and program goals.

Ensure ongoing excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent achievement of high quality in all Fleisher programming.

Regularly and clearly communicate progress to the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and lead Education-related committees.

Contribute to Fleisher’s national reputation as a thought leader through speaking engagements, articles and studies, and other means of sharing best practices with the field.

 

People Management

Recruit, develop, motivate, supervise, and evaluate a high performing education staff.

Schedule, manage, and develop these people. Encourage an overall spirit of teamwork and collaboration within Fleisher, setting an example for the staff at all times.

Ensure that job descriptions are relevant and that regular performance evaluations are conducted, and that sound human resource practices are in place.

Encourage staff and volunteer development and assist education staff in relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.

 

Resource Management

Work with the staff, Business Manager, and Executive Director in preparing an annual operating budget.

Oversee financial management of education department. Provide leadership to staff in planning, constructing, monitoring, and managing Fleisher’s budgets within approved guidelines.

Support Development Department in identifying new funding opportunities and strategies. Monitor and maintain obligations associated with funder requirements.

 

Communications, Public Relations

Serve as an ambassador of Fleisher throughout the community at all times, maintaining and enhancing Fleisher’s visibility and reputation.

Build and maintain strong cooperative relationships with community partners and organizations locally, regionally, and nationally.

Ensure the Fleisher brand is managed, utilized, and promoted appropriately.

Strive to ensure that Board members and supporters feel integral to the organization’s success and support the Board in its efforts to serve as ambassadors of Fleisher’s mission and programs.

 

Program Design, Planning, and Strategic Visioning

Develop program content consistent with Fleisher’s vision, mission, and all programmatic expectations. Establish goals with specific, measurable results and continually measure progress in achieving them, fine-tuning efforts to ensure progress is made. When necessary, troubleshoot difficulties and/or respectfully realign expectations.

Direct creation of program manual (policies, procedures) consistent with existing manuals. Ensure program quality throughout the year.

In collaboration with CPA Manager, CY Manager, and CY Education Associate, develop strategic initiatives and oversee the operations of the Children and Youth Program.

In collaboration with CPA Manager lead the expansion of Art for the Ages, creative aging program.

 

SPECIFICATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS

Education / years & type of experience:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in senior leadership in organizations of similar size, scope, and/or complexity.

Certifications, Licenses, Credentials:

Baseline Knowledge & Skills:

• Firm grasp of curriculum development and the professional development needs of teaching artists.

• Impeccable oral and written communication skills; multilingual fluency is compelling.

• Exemplary public presentation skills.

Abilities:

• Strategic, high-level thinking. Ability to draw all actions to a higher purpose and getting others at the table to support.

• Demonstrated success in the planning, development, and implementation of educational programs.

• A collaborative leadership style that encourages staff to bring ideas to the table, while giving the support and freedom for staff to problem-solve and to make decisions. Comfort with being a sounding board to mentor staff in both day-to-day logistics and broader policy/program decisions.

• An effective and compelling communicator, comfortable in representing the organization publicly, with a keen ability to articulate the mission and vision of Fleisher.

Physical requirements (lifting, etc.): n/a

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities, duties, skills, or working conditions. In addition, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.