Director of Education

Paper Mill Playhouse, established in 1938, stands as New Jersey's largest producing theater, bringing new American musical theater to life for more than 200,000 annual visitors. The institution's commitment to artistic excellence earned it the Regional Theater Tony Award in 2016, confirming its position as a cultural cornerstone with an economic impact exceeding $37M annually.

Not sure what skills you will need for this opportunity Simply read the full description below to get a complete picture of candidate requirements.

Educational programming represents the heart of Paper Mill's nonprofit mission, serving nearly 40,000 students yearly through transformative programs. The organization maintains a deep commitment to accessibility, ensuring theater opportunities reach children regardless of economic, physical, or cognitive challenges. Signature initiatives include the Adopt-A-School Project, Theater School, Theater for Everyone programs, Rising Star Awards, and the Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory and New Voices Concert.

Job Summary

About the Opportunity

Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP), the nation's premier musical theater, seeks a visionary and experienced leader to serve as Director of Education. This leadership position offers an exceptional opportunity to advance Paper Mill's award-winning classes, training programs, and educational initiatives. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing educational programs that align with Paper Mill's mission to foster a creative environment, advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all.

The Director of Education reports to the Executive Director and Producing Artistic Director, working in close partnership with PMP's senior leadership team, Board of Trustees, education staff, teaching artists, and cross-departmental colleagues. The role encompasses strategic planning, financial oversight of a $1.85M departmental budget, program development, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Fostering a culture of learning and community building that inspires staff, board members, students, educators, and community members to meaningfully participate in Paper Mill Playhouse’s educational initiatives
• Serving as a member of the Paper Mill Playhouse senior leadership team, contributing to high-level planning and decision-making to align education efforts with the organization’s mission and goals
• Upholding and integrating Paper Mill’s values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism practices into the Education Department’s programming and operations
• Fostering clear communication across departments, particularly with the Artistic, Development, and Marketing teams, to ensure alignment and collaboration on educational programs, outreach projects, and community events

Departmental Leadership and Supervision

The Director of Education provides strategic visionary and entrepreneurial leadership to the department and overall organization related to the theatre’s education initiatives. Immediate areas of focus include developing a strategic plan that demonstrates the scalability of Paper Mill’s education programs and formulates the business and operational plan for the new Education Center. The Director recruits, inspires, develops, and leads a highly skilled team of administrators, educators, and teaching artists who are passionate about arts education and committed to professional growth.

Core areas of responsibility include :

External Relations and Partnerships

Success in this role requires building and maintaining strong relationships with educational institutions, arts organizations, teaching artists, and community partners. The Director serves as an ambassador for Paper Mill's educational mission, representing the organization at industry conferences and cultivating partnerships that expand access to the performing arts.

Financial Management and Planning

The position encompasses fiscal oversight responsibilities including budget development, resource allocation, and financial reporting to senior management and the Board. The Director is responsible for monitoring and managing the budget, reforecasting based on results to ensure that all budget goals are achieved.

Program Development and Evaluation

The Director oversees the design and execution of all educational programming, ensuring high artistic and educational standards. This includes collaboration with program managers to strengthen and expand the Theater School, Adopt-A-School program, and Theater for Everyone initiatives.

Job Qualifications & Requirements

Educational Background

Professional Experience

Knowledge and Skills

Leadership Qualities

Additional Requirements

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of performing arts education while working with one of the nation's premier musical theater institutions. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with practical leadership skills to advance Paper Mill's educational mission and impact.

How to Apply

Application Instructions

To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.

The priority application deadline for this search is January 8, 2025. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. While we will still accept and consider applications after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position.

Paper Mill Playhouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer where the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything we do. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates.

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Salary : $37