Director of Conservatory

Job Overview
Newark School of the Arts (NSA), a leading arts education institution dedicated to fostering talent and creativity, seeks a passionate and experienced Director of Conservatory. This individual will oversee the operations of NSA’s Conservatory and Nurturing programs, including faculty management, curriculum oversight, student development, and recruitment. The Director will also play an active role in fundraising, community engagement, and partnership development to support the mission of NSA.

This position requires a dynamic leader who is a pianist with a deep understanding of music education, a strong communicator, and someone who thrives in a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to inspire students, mentor young talent, engage with donors and families, and support NSA’s vision of providing exceptional arts education to underserved communities. Must have a strong familiarity with the City of Newark, NJ and the Newark Public School system.

Responsibilities

Faculty & Student Development

• Faculty Hiring & Retention: Manage the hiring, onboarding, and ongoing professional development of the Conservatory and Nurturing program. Responsible for recruiting passionate, mission-driven faculty, including recent graduates and those dedicated to NSA's vision, students and families.
• Recruitment: Lead efforts to recruit talented and diverse students for both Nurturing and Conservatory programs, working closely with the Admissions team to build outreach strategies.
• Curriculum Oversight: Collaborate with faculty to oversee and continuously develop a rigorous and evolving curriculum that ensures the artistic and academic success of students.
• Student Progress: Monitor and track the progress of Conservatory students, offering guidance and mentorship to help them achieve their artistic and academic goals. Serve as a key liaison between students, families, faculty and external stakeholders.
• Youth Engagement: Build strong relationships with children, parents, and young adults, ensuring a supportive, communicative, and positive experience for all involved.

Fundraising & Event Support

• Fundraising Assistance: Actively support the Development team’s fundraising efforts by assisting with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, specifically within the context of the Conservatory and its students. Help develop artistically engaging programming for NSA’s fundraising events, including galas, musicales, and other performances.
• Public Speaking & Communication: Serve as a spokesperson for NSA’s Conservatory programs, delivering speeches, presentations, and public-facing communication to potential donors, community members, and event guests.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• NJPAC Partnership: Manage and strengthen NSA’s relationship with NJPAC, particularly in relation to the Carollo/Calabrese scholarship program, ensuring students are aware of and have access to these program opportunities.
• Build New Partnerships: Develop and maintain relationships with local, county, state and national arts organizations, facilitating masterclasses, festivals, and other performance opportunities. Represent NSA at various events, festivals, and artistic collaborations.
• Student Opportunities: Advocate for and support students in applying for music competitions and festivals, while also helping students who wish to pursue a professional music career build a network through college connections, auditions, and opportunities in the music industry.

General Support

• Collaborative Effort: In partnership with the Executive Director (ED) and other departments, assist with event coordination, marketing, outreach, and other tasks as needed to ensure the overall success of NSA’s programs and events.
• Crisis Management: Step in to assist with unforeseen tasks, contributing to the smooth operation of events and programs when necessary, even if they fall outside the scope of this position’s usual duties.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• A degree in Music, Music Education, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in arts education, with a focus on conservatory-level or higher education in music.
• Proven track record of managing or overseeing faculty, students, and curriculum in an arts education environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities and students from various backgrounds.

Skills & Expertise:

• Strong pianistic ability with deep expertise in music education.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to represent NSA at external events and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Proficient in event planning, particularly with regard to fundraising and community engagement.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

Personal Attributes:

• A genuine passion for arts education and empowering young artists.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, inspire, and nurture talent.
• A collaborative, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Strong commitment to NSA’s mission and a desire to positively impact the Newark arts community.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with children and young adults, particularly in a conservatory or specialized arts setting.
• An Established network of professional relationships in the arts community, including music festivals, competitions, and colleges.
• Ability to write compelling grant proposals and other fundraising materials.
• Experience with development campaigns or other aspects of nonprofit fundraising.

We invite qualified candidates who are passionate about education leadership to apply for this impactful role within our institution.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references via email to ssalvador@newarkschoolofthearts.org.

In your cover letter, please address how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and qualifications listed above, and describe your vision for the future of NSA’s Conservatory programs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Music Education: 5 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Newark, NJ 07102 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000