Director of Engagement

Full-Time Permanent
Hours per week: 40
Location: North Carolina, US
Hiring Range: $83,000 – $89,874

Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The mission of Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) is to spark curiosity, inspiring all members of our community to discover and more fully engage with the world. We collaborate with dynamic and compelling artists from across the globe to create novel, mission-driven performing arts experiences in partnership with our community. We also open our venues to others to explore, create, and celebrate their own work. Through the Office of the Executive Director for the Arts (EDA), CPA oversees all artistic programming, campus and community engagement, marketing and fundraising for its presented, commissioned and produced work, and manages all operations of its venues including facility rentals, technical production, audience services and ticketing.

Carolina Performing Arts thrives because of our collaborations with a diverse cohort of partners that create deeper understanding for our audiences and enable us to be empathetic visionaries. As our campus, state, nation, and world continue to reckon with systemic injustices, we are committed to being an agent for change and making certain that our internal practices reflect the values that are made visible on the stage. Our work is made possible – and made better – through the contributions of team members from a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. We seek to recruit and develop staff to create a welcoming, and inclusive organization.

Position Summary

Carolina Performing Arts (Executive Director for the Arts, EDA) seeks a visionary, collaborative, and strategic Director of Engagement to lead the development and execution of a robust portfolio of artist residencies, partnerships, and public programming that integrates the performing arts across the community and the University’s academic and research enterprise and fosters meaningful connections with a broad range of communities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Artistic and Production, the Director of Engagement is a member of EDA’s leadership team and plays a key role in shaping and executing a cohesive vision that advances EDA’s mission to foster belonging through the arts. This position cultivates deep partnerships with faculty, artists, students, and community leaders, ensuring that the performing arts serve as a tool for building belonging, driving discovery, and cultivating wellness.

The Director works collaboratively across the organization and University to embed arts-based inquiry into the core academic life of Carolina, facilitate interdisciplinary research, and expand access to creative and intellectual exploration through engagement initiatives. This is a highly visible role requiring excellent judgment, strategic thinking, and an ability to advance institutional priorities through inclusive, innovative, and impactful programming.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent educational or instructional activities related to teaching, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. In addition, the position minimums should satisfy any accreditation requirements in the specified area of instruction.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Demonstrated success in building partnerships across academic, artistic, and community contexts.
Strong strategic planning, program design, and project management skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities; experience presenting to diverse audiences.
Demonstrated commitment to community-centered practice.
Familiarity with university structures, research environments, and grant-funded projects.
Knowledge of current engagement models, interdisciplinary research methods, and assessment practices.
Experience building and managing teams from the ground up and guiding existing teams through change management.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Degree in the arts, humanities, education, non-profit or related field.
5 years of progressively responsible experience in arts administration, engagement, academic program development, or community organizing preferably in a higher education or non-profit setting.