Director of the Center for the Advancement of Art Education

The Art of Education University (AOEU) seeks a visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Center for the Advancement of Art Education. This senior position will guide the Center’s mission to advance arts education through rigorous research, innovative practice, and meaningful collaboration. The Director will lead the development and execution of a multi-year strategic plan that aligns with AOEU’s institutional priorities, building a sustainable and high-impact research enterprise that bridges scholarship and practice and promotes arts education as a core subject area.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven record of academic research and leadership, with the ability to design, oversee, and evaluate arts education initiatives that generate tangible outcomes for educators, leaders, and students. As both strategist and builder, the Director will establish partnerships across higher education, K–12 systems, arts organizations, and foundations to support the Center’s growth and development. This role requires exceptional communication skills and a growth mindset. Successful candidates will display the ability to thrive in ambiguity, transforming ideas into scalable, evidence-based solutions that advance the field.

The Director will coordinate a multidisciplinary team of scholars and practitioners, manage budgets and operations, and oversee communications that position the Center as a national thought leader in arts education. Candidates should hold an advanced degree (Master’s required; EdD or PhD preferred) and demonstrate success in academic research and external partnership cultivation. The director role is a rare opportunity to shape a pioneering center from the ground up and make a lasting impact on the future of arts education.

Structured as a remote full-time, exempt, salaried position. This position will report to the Chief Academic Officer.

We have been a 100% remote company since the beginning!  This position is eligible for remote work from the following locations: USA.

Who We Are

At the Art of Education, we grow amazing teachers by providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning at every stage of their career. Our values are artistry, connection, and impact. 

The Center for the Advancement of Art Education is dedicated to advancing research, empowering educators, and driving innovation to enhance the field of art education in pursuit of our mission. 

Job Details

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute the Center’s multi-year strategic plan in alignment with institutional mission and priorities.
• Design, oversee, and evaluate arts education research initiatives to ensure methodological rigor and practical impact.
• Build alliances and collaborations with internal and external academic units, arts organizations, foundations, and other stakeholders.
• Lead, supervise, and support a multidisciplinary team of scholars and practitioners.
• Identify funding opportunities, lead grant and philanthropic proposal development, and manage budgets and Center operations.
• Translate research into practice through initiatives and dissemination methods, including reports, workshops, and webinars.
• Oversee the Center’s communications strategy, including stakeholder engagement and public-facing thought leadership.
• Develop and implement operational systems, policies, and performance metrics to support continuous improvement.
• Navigate evolving or ambiguous contexts by establishing processes, making informed decisions, and adapting as needed.

Since AOE operates in a fully remote/online environment, requirements include frequent and prolonged use of computers and other technology, as well as the ability to enter information into a computer using a keyboard or alternative means. 

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Demonstrated senior-level leadership ability, including setting strategic direction and driving execution.
• Strong background in academic research, including experience with publications, grant activity, research methodologies, or oversight of research teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to varied audiences.
• Entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented mindset, with experience building or scaling initiatives in dynamic environments.
• Strong strategic thinking skills paired with effective operational execution.
• Ability to collaborate productively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, and to foster an inclusive, collegial culture.
• Ability to define and implement processes in emerging or ambiguous environments.
• Proficiency in budget oversight, resource allocation, and evaluating organizational impact.
• Commitment to advancing arts education, equity, access, and educator impact.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

While we have identified specific requirements for this role, we acknowledge that not all candidates may possess every requirement listed. We encourage applicants who believe they possess the necessary skills and experience to apply for consideration, regardless of whether they meet each requirement to the fullest extent.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of three years of leadership experience in higher education, research centers, or mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated record of academic research, such as peer-reviewed publications, leading research projects, or securing grants.
• Experience launching or significantly scaling a program, initiative, or center from concept through implementation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse internal and external audiences.
• Preferred experience in arts education (K–12, higher education, or arts organizations).
• Proven ability to secure external funding, including grants and philanthropic support, and to cultivate strategic partnerships.
• Experience applying research to educational practice (e.g., professional learning, resource development).
• Familiarity with digital and online learning environments, data analytics, and translating research into scalable practice.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree (Master’s required; PhD preferred)

The Interview Process

For most roles, the process is as follows: 

• Step 1: ~30-minute phone interview with hiring manager or Team and Culture
• Step 2: Round 2 packet & corresponding panel interview: This step helps you identify how you might approach some of the daily tasks, responsibilities, and challenges that may arise in this role. The packet might include written or performance-based questions, specific to the role. 
• Step 3: Follow-up interview
  • For specific managerial or high-collaboration roles, you may be asked to participate in additional Zoom or phone interviews. Our goal is to keep the process streamlined and intentional. 

Compensation and Benefits

BENEFITS 

• Health, dental, and vision plans with 100% premium coverage for individual employees, 80% family premium coverage, employer HSA contribution, and no waiting period (effective 1st month after hire)  
• 401K plan with 4% match with Fidelity, no waiting or vesting period
• Self-managed PTO and sick/personal time (15+ days/year encouraged)
• All federal holidays off, and the end-of-year holiday shutdown 
• $50/month mobile, internet, or coworking space stipend
• $600 home office equipment stipend
• Fully remote, flexible schedule
• Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Dependent Care FSA
• Life insurance
• Lifelong Learning Fund for professional development and educational reimbursement 
• Free product access (1 FLEX/PRO license to use or gift, plus free AOEU grad courses)
• Mac tech suite, 1Password, ChatGPT subscriptions

For more information about the benefits we offer, please visit our website.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is commensurate with experience and the market. We encourage you to discuss your compensation requirements early in the process.

We look forward to reviewing your application! Thank you for your interest in opportunities with AOEU. 

NOTE: We encourage you to apply using a personal email address and to take the necessary steps to ensure that both The Art of Education (@theartofeducation.edu) and Paycom (@paycomonline.com) domains are added to your email settings, allowing you to receive all emails related to your application process. We also encourage you to check your spam folder, as emails from The Art of Education and/or Paycom can be marked as spam.  Applicants residing in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, New York, Jersey City, Vermont, or Washington may reach out to teamandculture@theartofeducation.edu  for compensation details. Do not send letters of interest to this inbox, as they will be disregarded. The Art of Education is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and job applicants. The Art of Education will not discriminate against employees or applicants based on actual or perceived age, race, color, national origin/ethnicity, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Art of Education is a participant in the E-Verify program.