Director of Education

• Job Title: Director of Education
• Reports To: Producing Artistic Director
• Department: Education
• Location: On-Site
• Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Variable Hours Including Mornings and Weekends
• Compensation: $72,000-$75,000
• Anticipated Start Date: 09/15/2026

About the Arden:

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre offering the highest quality theatrical productions and educational programs to the artists, audiences, and students of Greater Philadelphia. Each year, we produce the Mainstage season and Arden Children’s Theatre, the city’s first resident children’s theatre. From our productions that reach over 100,000 audience members each year to our educational outreach programs that inspire and empower 6,000 students in schools across our region, the Arden stands out as a haven for shared stories and a vital incubator to create new work.

The Arden has been an important force behind the vitality of the Old City neighborhood and in the Philadelphia cultural landscape. In our last complete season, 2018 / 2019, the Arden produced seven Mainstage and two Arden Children’s Theatre productions, resulting in 503 performances seen by more than 107,000 people.

Mission
Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community.

Great stories on the stage:
We produce a wide range of stories in a variety of styles: classic and contemporary, intimate and epic, fiction and nonfiction, musical and dramatic. Producing the great playwrights allows us to measure ourselves against the masters of our craft while sharing the voices of new writers gives us the opportunity to shape the future of American theatre. We embrace stories for audiences of all ages and bring the same artistic quality to all our work.

Great stories in the classroom:
Kids are celebrated at the Arden. We nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through our educational programming. We foster connections between theatre and reading and promote literacy for our young audiences. We reach thousands of students each year, introducing many of our region’s kids to theatre for the first time.

Great stories in the community:
We believe in the power of stories to bring people together. We work to build a vital community of artists who excel creatively through shared experiences and with whom our audiences identify. The Arden strives to be Philadelphia’s hometown theatre; we seek community partnerships and collaborations, make our work affordable and accessible, and train the next generation of theatre leaders, contributing to the region’s cultural landscape.

Position Summary:

The Arden Theatre Company’s Director of Education is a full-time leadership position responsible for the strategic direction, management, and growth of Arden’s educational programming, community partnerships, audience engagement initiatives, and accessibility efforts. The Director of Education ensures that all educational and engagement activities reflect and advance Arden’s mission, fostering learning, inspiration, creativity, and connection through the power of theatre.

Reporting directly to the Producing Artistic Director, the Director of Education serves as a member of the Executive Management Team and collaborates closely with the Managing Director and department leaders across the organization. The Director of Education leads a dynamic team of education professionals, teaching artists, and interns while cultivating meaningful partnerships with schools, community organizations, donors, and stakeholders to strengthen Arden’s impact throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Educational Programming Leadership

• Lead the strategic direction, development, and expansion of Arden’s educational programming, including Arden for All (AFA), Arden Drama School (ADS), Teen Arden, and the Dr. Mindy Goldberg Rose Intern Program.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of curricula across all educational programs to ensure alignment with organizational goals and educational best practices.
• Ensure that programs provide meaningful and inclusive learning experiences for participants of all ages and abilities.
• Continually assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for innovation, growth, and increased community impact.
• Teach camps, classes, workshops, and educational programs as needed to ensure continuity and excellence in participant experience.

Accessibility and Inclusive Learning

• Lead and advance the Education Department’s accessibility initiatives across all programs and services.
• Oversee the development and implementation of accessible educational practices, including social narratives, accessible teaching methods, and accessibility tools.
• Collaborate with internal departments to integrate accessibility into educational planning, programming, and participant engagement.
• Ensure Arden’s educational offerings remain welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to diverse audiences and learners.

Education Team Leadership and Management

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and develop Education Department staff, including Education Managers, the Education Associate, Teaching Artists, and Interns.
• Establish departmental goals, performance expectations, and professional development plans.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and support.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven team culture.
• Actively engage with colleagues across all Arden departments to strengthen communication and organizational collaboration.

Community Partnerships and Engagement

• Deepen and expand partnerships with schools, school districts, cultural institutions, and community organizations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national peers in arts, education, and civic sectors.
• Identify opportunities for strategic collaborations that increase program reach, accessibility, and community impact.
• Represent Arden within the broader educational and cultural community as an advocate for arts education and civic engagement.

Audience Engagement and Educational Content

• Oversee the creation and development of educational content and resources, including study guides, Arden Children’s Theatre Stagebills, and other learning materials.
• Partner with the Artistic Department to develop audience engagement initiatives, including pre-show and post-show discussions, student engagement activities, and other educational programming.
• Support organizational efforts to create meaningful learning experiences that deepen audience connection to productions and artistic programming.

Program Evaluation and Assessment

• Oversee the assessment and evaluation of educational and engagement programs.
• Develop and implement assessment tools to measure program effectiveness, participant outcomes, and community impact.
• Analyze and communicate program data and results to internal stakeholders, funders, partners, and community members.
• Utilize assessment findings to inform strategic planning and continuous program improvement.

Development and Fundraising Collaboration

• Partner with the Development Department to cultivate and steward education-focused donor relationships.
• Support the development of proposals, reports, and other materials for institutional funders and grant opportunities.
• Communicate program achievements, outcomes, and impact to supporters and stakeholders.
• Collaborate on strategies to secure resources that sustain and grow educational initiatives.

Marketing and Communications Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Marketing Department to develop educational and engagement-related communications and promotional materials.
• Ensure consistent messaging that accurately reflects program goals, outcomes, and community impact.
• Support outreach efforts that increase participation and awareness of Arden’s educational offerings.

Budget Management and Administrative Leadership

• Collaborate with the Producing Artistic Director and Managing Director to develop and manage the Education Department budget.
• Oversee departmental expenses, financial reconciliation, reporting, and forecasting.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of departmental resources and alignment with organizational financial goals.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reporting related to educational programs and activities.
• Serve as an active member of the Executive Management Team.
• Contribute to organizational planning, strategic initiatives, and cross-departmental decision-making.
• Support the advancement of Arden’s mission, vision, and organizational goals through collaborative leadership.
• Participate in organizational meetings, planning processes, and special projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Education, Theatre, Arts Administration, Education, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant leadership experience in arts education, theatre education, community engagement, or related fields.
• Demonstrated success managing educational programs, staff, budgets, and strategic initiatives.
• Experience developing curriculum and educational programming for diverse age groups and learning environments.
• Knowledge of accessibility practices and inclusive educational methodologies.
• Experience building and sustaining partnerships with schools, community organizations, funders, and cultural institutions.
• Strong budget management and financial oversight experience.
• Be willing and able to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theatre, which includes a variety of hours including evenings and weekends.
• Be someone with initiative, creativity, and a collaborative spirit. Must have the ability to work within a fast-paced, dedicated management team—rolling up your sleeves must be a favored tactic.
• Express a passion for theatre and the Philadelphia cultural community with a genuine interest in becoming a driver of Arden’s mission and vision.

Skills:

• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and staff development skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and program management abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.
• Experience with program assessment, evaluation, and data analysis.
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, accessibility, inclusion, and community-centered practices.
• Creative problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 25 pounds regularly/occasionally.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs regularly.
• Must be able to work while standing or sitting at a desk for extended periods.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders and work at height occasionally.
• Must be able to use and manipulate keys, hand tools, and other equipment.

Benefits:

• Arden Theatre Company provides Medical and Disability Insurance, Flexible Savings Plan, 403(b) Defined Contribution Plan, and paid vacation, personal, and holiday leave.

Application Process:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to: humanresources@ardentheatre.org

Please include “Director of Education” in the subject line of your email

Application Closing Date:  July 31, 2026. 

Arden Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in the theatre industry are strongly encouraged to apply.