Director of Performing Arts
Erie Catholic School System (ECSS)
Job TITLE: DIRECTOR OF PERFORMING ARTS
DIRECTLY Reports to: ECSS President
INDIRECT REPORTS TO: ECSS PRINCIPALS
Position status: FULL TIME, NON-EXEMPT
Position Summary:
The Director of Performing Arts provides strategic leadership, vision, and coordination for all performing arts programs across the ECSS, including music, theater, dance, and related co-curricular activities. This role ensures high-quality instruction, supports program growth, and advances the school system’s mission through arts education excellence.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in music, theater, arts education, or related field.
- Experience in performing arts pedagogy, program development, and performance production.
- Minimum of five years of experience in performing arts education, with prior leadership or administrative experience strongly preferred.
- Drama experience preferred but not required.
- Ideally, should be a practicing Catholic but not required. Regardless, must be willing to attend all school functions, including religious activities.
- Demonstrated adherence to the highest moral standards.
- Committed to the ECSS mission, vision, and philosophy.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Program Leadership and Management
- Develop and implement a comprehensive performing arts vision aligned with the school system’s academic and cultural goals.
- Oversee curriculum development for music, theater, and other performing arts programs, ensuring alignment with state standards and best practices.
- Evaluate and enhance program quality through regular assessments, observations, and feedback to staff.
- Support the development and integration of performing arts initiatives across grade levels.
- Coordinate all performing arts activities for Catholic activities and events system wide.
- The Director of Performing Arts may be assigned teaching responsibilities based on the needs/requirements of the system. This would not equate to more than 50% of a regular teaching schedule.
Staff Support and Development
- Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to performing arts faculty and staff across all schools in coordination with the VP of Academics.
- Coordinate professional development opportunities, workshops, and trainings to support instructional excellence.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and evaluation of performing arts educators.
Operational Oversight
- Manage budgets for performing arts programs, including resource allocation, supplies, equipment, and performance needs.
- Oversee scheduling and coordination of performances, concerts, productions, and special events.
- Maintain facilities and equipment in collaboration with building administrators and maintenance teams.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
- Foster relationships with parents, community partners, arts organizations, and donors to enhance program visibility and support.
- Collaborate with school administrators, academic leaders, and extracurricular coordinators to ensure seemless program integration.
- Promote student participation and broaden access to performing arts opportunities.
Compliance and Safety
- Ensure compliance with all school system policies, state regulations, and safety guidelines related to performing arts activities.
- Oversee risk management processes for performances, travel, and use of specialized equipment.
Competencies:
- Knowledge of performing arts pedagogy, program development, and performance production.
- Knowledge of child and adolescent development, learning, and behavior,
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices for integration of the arts in academic and extracurricular programming.
- Skill in supporting art programs system wide.
- Skill in organizational and time management. Must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Skill in active listening and communicating orally and in writing.
- Skill in managing a budget.
- Skill in critical thinking, problem solving, and strategic planning.
- Skill in leading collaborative work teams and working collaboratively with individuals across the system.
- Skill in utilization of job-appropriate technologies.
Work Conditions:
- Required to work in a professional office environment as well as school settings.
- Required to work some evenings and weekends for events and performances.
- Required travel among school campuses necessitates the incumbent to have a vehicle and valid driver’s license.
- Required to manage moderate to high levels of stress.
- All Erie Catholic positions require on-campus attendance; remote work and flexible scheduling options are not offered.
Property and Confidentiality Requirements:
All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment, actual products, and services developed or accrued as part of the job duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the ECSS. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the ECSS upon termination of employment from the ECSS. In addition, the person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about students, faculty, and staff; programs and services; and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of Erie Catholic’s employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may be assigned or changed at any time with or without notice.
ECSS is committed to equal employment opportunity and employs all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age handicap, or any other classification protected by the federal, state, or local laws.
