Education Director
ArtsFAirfax, Arlington, VA, United States
Encore Stage & Studio is searching for a dynamic leader to join our team as Education Director.
Who We Are
Encore Stage & Studio inspires young people to develop the creativity, empathy, and confidence they need to create meaningful connections with peers and have a positive impact in their communities.
Encore Stage & Studio provides educational opportunities for young people throughout Northern Virginia using theatre to bring high-quality, age-appropriate theatrical productions that are staffed by young people to our community and offers a vibrant selection of educational classes, workshops and summer programs, including outreach to underserved children and youth with community partners.We serve thousands of children annually through our educational programs.
For more information, please see Encore Stage & Studio’s website at encorestage.org .
What You’ll Do
As a member of our leadership team, you’ll be responsible for the strategic growth, operational excellence, and instructional quality of Encore’s education programming. This position reports to Encore’s Director of Programming and ensures the success of Encore’s award-winning classes, camps, and community-based programs.
This position will lead teaching artist training and management, develop new programming models, and expand Encore’s presence into new geographic communities. The Director supervises the Operations Manager and oversees a team of teaching artists and seasonal education staff.
Program Growth & Strategic Vision
Using Encore’s 2026/2029 strategic plan as a guide, implement education program growth, including expansion into new geographic locations.
Identify new partnership opportunities with schools and community organizations.
Lead the creation of scalable program models that maintain quality while expanding reach.
Set enrollment and programmatic goals in collaboration with executive leadership.
Teaching Artist Mentorship & Quality Assurance
Oversee Encore’s comprehensive teaching artist recruitment, training, and evaluation system.
Maintain clear instructional standards aligned with Encore’s artistic and youth development philosophy.
Design and implement professional development opportunities for teaching artists.
Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management for staff and independent contractors.
Ensure consistency of student experience across all programs and locations.
Enhance existing and create new classes, camps, and workshop offerings that respond to community needs. Collaborate with the Director of Programming to align curriculum with Encore’s artistic and strategic vision. Oversee curriculum refinement to ensure age‑appropriate, process‑based programs and align with Encore’s emphasis on youth character development. Evaluate programs using data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. Operational Oversight Work collaboratively with Encore’s Finance Director on budgeting and achieving revenue goals. Supervise the Operations Manager to ensure strong logistical execution of programs. Maintain policies related to student safety, accessibility, and program delivery. Share data and work with the Development Director on granting and materials as requested. Ensure smooth coordination between programming, marketing, and development teams. Equity & Inclusion Advance Encore’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in hiring, curriculum, and community engagement. Develop strategies to increase access to programming for underrepresented communities. Supporting Encore Represent Encore to stakeholders; act as an ambassador for the organization Teach classes, camps, and workshops based on organizational needs. What’s In It For You Encore is dedicated to a professional and engaged work environment where you will be a valued team member. This is a full‑time position. Encore’s weekday office hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (camp hours begin at 8:15 am). Evening and weekend hours are required to accommodate classes, productions, and events. You’ll receive a salary commensurate with your experience as well as benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, a matching retirement savings program, paid sick and vacation, holidays, and two additional weeks of paid leave the week before Labor Day and December 24 – January 1. What We’re Looking For Encore Stage & Studio is entering an exciting phase of growth and program expansion. We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands‑on leader who is passionate about youth theatre and ready to help scale high‑quality arts education programming to reach more young people across our community and beyond. The ideal candidate is both a systems thinker and a practitioner — someone who can build strong program infrastructure while remaining connected to the classroom and the lived experience of students and teaching artists. 7–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in education, theatre, arts administration, youth programming, camps administration, or a related field. Demonstrated success leading and supervising staff and teaching artists, including coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development design. Proven experience building, refining, and scaling youth arts education programs, ideally including camps, classes, and school partnerships. Experience cultivating and managing partnerships with schools, PTAs, and community organizations. Deep understanding of elementary‑age youth development and pedagogy, with a particular strength in designing engaging, age‑appropriate theatre experiences for younger students. Experience in establishing and maintaining quality standards across multiple instructors or sites. Experience launching programming in new communities or locations is a plus. Budget management and revenue planning experience. Strong operational and systems‑building skills, with the ability to design processes that support sustainable growth. Ability to think strategically about geographic expansion and program growth, including assessing new markets and launching new initiatives. Excellent communication skills and confidence in representing the organization publicly. Familiarity with risk management, student safety standards, and accessibility best practices Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in both hiring and program design. Alignment with Encore Stage & Studio’s mission to build character and community through transformative theatre experiences. Additional Leadership Qualities We Value A builder’s mindset — energized by growth, innovation, and organizational evolution. Comfort balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on engagement, including stepping into the classroom when needed to support program continuity and model instructional excellence. A commitment to maintaining Encore’s high‑touch, process‑based culture while expanding our reach. The ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions‑oriented in a dynamic, youth‑centered environment. The ability to stand, move, and engage actively with children for extended periods, and to lift up to 25 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation is required. Encore Stage & Studio will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. All employees must comply with Encore Stage & Studio’s child safety policies and mandatory reporting requirements and complete required training prior to working with students. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and reference check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Encore Stage & Studio is committed to promoting inclusion and equitable access to all of its programs. We believe that an artistic community is enhanced through diversity. Encore Stage & Studio is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@encorestage.org. Please include “Education Director” in the subject line.
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Enhance existing and create new classes, camps, and workshop offerings that respond to community needs. Collaborate with the Director of Programming to align curriculum with Encore’s artistic and strategic vision. Oversee curriculum refinement to ensure age‑appropriate, process‑based programs and align with Encore’s emphasis on youth character development. Evaluate programs using data and stakeholder feedback to drive continuous improvement. Operational Oversight Work collaboratively with Encore’s Finance Director on budgeting and achieving revenue goals. Supervise the Operations Manager to ensure strong logistical execution of programs. Maintain policies related to student safety, accessibility, and program delivery. Share data and work with the Development Director on granting and materials as requested. Ensure smooth coordination between programming, marketing, and development teams. Equity & Inclusion Advance Encore’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in hiring, curriculum, and community engagement. Develop strategies to increase access to programming for underrepresented communities. Supporting Encore Represent Encore to stakeholders; act as an ambassador for the organization Teach classes, camps, and workshops based on organizational needs. What’s In It For You Encore is dedicated to a professional and engaged work environment where you will be a valued team member. This is a full‑time position. Encore’s weekday office hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (camp hours begin at 8:15 am). Evening and weekend hours are required to accommodate classes, productions, and events. You’ll receive a salary commensurate with your experience as well as benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, a matching retirement savings program, paid sick and vacation, holidays, and two additional weeks of paid leave the week before Labor Day and December 24 – January 1. What We’re Looking For Encore Stage & Studio is entering an exciting phase of growth and program expansion. We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and hands‑on leader who is passionate about youth theatre and ready to help scale high‑quality arts education programming to reach more young people across our community and beyond. The ideal candidate is both a systems thinker and a practitioner — someone who can build strong program infrastructure while remaining connected to the classroom and the lived experience of students and teaching artists. 7–12+ years of progressive leadership experience in education, theatre, arts administration, youth programming, camps administration, or a related field. Demonstrated success leading and supervising staff and teaching artists, including coaching, performance evaluation, and professional development design. Proven experience building, refining, and scaling youth arts education programs, ideally including camps, classes, and school partnerships. Experience cultivating and managing partnerships with schools, PTAs, and community organizations. Deep understanding of elementary‑age youth development and pedagogy, with a particular strength in designing engaging, age‑appropriate theatre experiences for younger students. Experience in establishing and maintaining quality standards across multiple instructors or sites. Experience launching programming in new communities or locations is a plus. Budget management and revenue planning experience. Strong operational and systems‑building skills, with the ability to design processes that support sustainable growth. Ability to think strategically about geographic expansion and program growth, including assessing new markets and launching new initiatives. Excellent communication skills and confidence in representing the organization publicly. Familiarity with risk management, student safety standards, and accessibility best practices Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in both hiring and program design. Alignment with Encore Stage & Studio’s mission to build character and community through transformative theatre experiences. Additional Leadership Qualities We Value A builder’s mindset — energized by growth, innovation, and organizational evolution. Comfort balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on engagement, including stepping into the classroom when needed to support program continuity and model instructional excellence. A commitment to maintaining Encore’s high‑touch, process‑based culture while expanding our reach. The ability to remain calm, flexible, and solutions‑oriented in a dynamic, youth‑centered environment. The ability to stand, move, and engage actively with children for extended periods, and to lift up to 25 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation is required. Encore Stage & Studio will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. All employees must comply with Encore Stage & Studio’s child safety policies and mandatory reporting requirements and complete required training prior to working with students. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and reference check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Encore Stage & Studio is committed to promoting inclusion and equitable access to all of its programs. We believe that an artistic community is enhanced through diversity. Encore Stage & Studio is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@encorestage.org. Please include “Education Director” in the subject line.
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