Director of Education & Community Programs

STATUS:  Full Time/Regular/Exempt

REPORTS TO:  Artistic Director & Executive Director

SALARY: $90,000 - $110,000 + benefits

With new executive leadership of the institution, the new Director of Education & Community Programs will be joining A.C.T. at a dynamic time as A.C.T. enters a strategic planning process to shape the organization’s priorities, focus and business model to increase impact and ensure sustainability into the coming decades. The Director of Education & Community Programs is a senior leadership position responsible for successful design and execution, and healthy fiscal management of A.C.T.’s arts education and community engagement programs.  This position provides leadership to a department that currently consists of four full-time and four part-time staff and a robust cohort of teaching artists, and provides oversight of four main areas: ACTsmart School Programs (including teacher training), Community Engagement, Young Conservatory youth artist training, and the Fellowship Program for emerging theater professionals. The Director also works in tandem with other senior staff as well as the Artistic, Marketing, and Development departments to construct, implement, and assess institutional initiatives, fundraising opportunities, and engagement strategies. The Director represents A.C.T. to funders, peer organizations, government agencies, associations, schools, and universities regarding arts education, community engagement, and the mission of A.C.T.  Essential functions include:

• In partnership with Artistic and Executive leadership, construct the vision, oversee the development, and assess the impact of the theater’s various Education & Community Programs, ensuring alignment with the A.C.T. brand and mission.
• Provide leadership and supervision to the School and Community Programs staff and teaching artists and the Young Conservatory staff and faculty.
• Maintain network of external relationships, including area educators and administrators to advise on programs, negotiate program agreements and fee structures for all programs, oversee curriculum, and hire and train staff.
• Create symbiotic programming with the Artistic, Development, and/or Marketing departments to increase A.C.T.’s fundraising efforts, including overseeing research, assisting with grant proposals and reporting to foundations, and cultivating donors for Education & Community Programs.
• Oversee the Education & Community Programs revenue and expense budget of $1.4 million through careful management of expenses and work to enhance contributed and earned income.
• Serve as the primary A.C.T. representative to arts, government, cultural, and civic organizations and groups such as: San Francisco Unified School District, Jerry Rosenstein Arts Project, Performing Arts Connection, San Francisco Arts Commission, Alameda County Office of Education, Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area, Theatre Communications Group Education Directors cohort, Bay Area Theater Education Directors cohort, et al.
• Serve as lead staff representative on the Education & Community Programs Committee of the Board of Trustees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Commitment to and ability to articulate the value and importance of theater education and community engagement that is centered in cultural humility and responsiveness, both in schools and community settings
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Appreciation for the power of theater to effect positive social change
• Expertise in arts education pedagogy, including critical pedagogy theories, student-centered approaches, inquiry-based methodologies, curriculum development and participatory theater techniques
• Expertise in community work, methodologies of creating and deepening partnerships for sustained long term connections and collaboration
• Excellent collaborative management and communication skills
• Ability to lead a dynamic team of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs
• Experience in developing and managing a budget inclusive of revenues and expenses 
• Knowledge of best practices and current trends in education, community engagement, and the arts
• Understanding of theater as an art form and professional discipline
• Knowledge of local and national cultural, educational, and community organizations
• Familiarity with government and foundation grant reporting processes and procedures
• Knowledge of San Francisco school system, state and city-wide educational standards, highly desirable

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Extensive knowledge and first-hand experience in arts education, ideally but not necessarily, in theater
• Experience managing and creating youth and adult education programs  
• Experience working as an arts educator with diverse, underrepresented or marginalized communities
• Experience working with school districts within a large metropolitan setting
• Ability to work some nights and weekends
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience required

To apply, please email an up-to-date resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position to hr@act-sf.org.  Please include subject heading “Director of Education & Community Programs.”

Deadline:  Open until filled

What we look for in our staff:  the ability to imagine, the energy to create and explore new ideas and the freedom of spirit to celebrate our diverse community. To learn more about A.C.T., visit our website at www.act-sf.org. No calls, please.  EOE.