Director of Education & Community Engagement

Director of Education & Community Engagement Reports to: Managing Director Position Status: Full-time, Regular Exempt Compensation: $75,000-$95,000 annually Benefits: Medical and Dental (shared expense), 401(k), paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays Position Summary Laguna Playhouse seeks a strategic, collaborative, and community-focused leader to serve as its Director of Education & Community Engagement. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and advancing the organization’s educational programming, community partnerships, and audience engagement initiatives. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director will lead the vision, design, and execution of programs that expand access to the arts, cultivate the next generation of theatergoers and artists, and deepen Laguna Playhouse’s impact across Orange County and beyond. This role is both strategic and operational, overseeing a diverse portfolio including youth conservatory programs, classes, camps, school partnerships, community engagement initiatives, and audience programs connected to main‑stage productions. The Director will also be responsible for driving earned‑revenue growth and supporting contributed‑revenue opportunities tied to education and engagement. Classification & Work Expectations Position is exempt under applicable California wage and hour laws. Requires flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and extended hours as needed. Work may occur across multiple locations, including theatre facilities, administrative offices, and off‑site venues. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Vision Develop and implement a strategic vision for education and community engagement aligned with Laguna Playhouse’s mission, institutional priorities, and long‑term growth goals. Serve as a senior leader and collaborative partner across departments, integrating education and engagement into the broader organizational strategy. Identify opportunities to expand reach, participation, visibility, and earned‑revenue through innovative programming. Establish measurable goals, benchmarks, and success metrics for educational and community initiatives. Education & Conservatory Leadership Oversee and grow all education programming, including the Youth Conservatory, classes, camps, workshops, and adult learning opportunities. Ensure high‑quality, mission‑driven curriculum and programming that reflects artistic excellence and educational best practices. Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate education staff, teaching artists, directors, music directors, choreographers, and guest instructors. Develop pathways for students of all ages and abilities to engage with theater arts. Oversee youth productions and educational performances in partnership with production and artistic teams. Community Engagement & Partnerships Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with schools, universities, senior communities, civic organizations, libraries, nonprofits, and community groups throughout Orange County and beyond. Expand school partnerships, student matinee programming, workshops, teacher resources, and in‑school residencies. Design meaningful audience engagement opportunities connected to productions, including talkbacks, panels, family programming, pre‑show events, and community conversations. Represent Laguna Playhouse as a visible ambassador within the community and educational sectors. Institutional Collaboration Partner closely with Artistic, Production, Marketing, and Advancement teams to maximize programmatic alignment and institutional impact. Collaborate with Marketing to increase visibility, enrollment, and audience participation. Provide reports and updates to senior leadership, committees, and the Board as requested. Participate as a senior member of Laguna Playhouse’s leadership team. Physical & Work Environment Requirements Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends based on program needs. Attend performances, events, and off‑site community programs. Work at a computer for extended periods. Successfully complete a background check and comply with youth safety policies. Experience and Attributes Required Bachelor’s degree in theater, arts education, education, arts administration, or related field required; advanced degree preferred. Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in theater education, arts administration, community engagement, or related nonprofit arts settings. Demonstrated success developing and leading educational programs and community partnerships. Proven experience managing staff, budgets, and multi‑faced programs. Track record of growing participation, revenue, and/or institutional partnerships. Strong relationship‑building skills with students, families, educators, donors, artists, and community stakeholders. Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience within a regional theater or professional performing‑arts organization. Knowledge of Orange County educational and cultural communities. Grant writing and fundraising experience. Experience scaling educational or earned‑revenue programs. Key Competencies Strategic and entrepreneurial thinker Collaborative leadership style Financial and operational acumen Strong relationship builder and community connector Program innovation and implementation Staff leadership and mentorship Mission‑driven with a passion for arts education Core Competencies Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking Collaborative and inclusive leadership Financial and operational acumen Strong relationship‑building and community engagement skills Program development and execution excellence Commitment to arts access, equity, and education The Company is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination consistent with federal, California, and local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr