Chief Arts Education Officer/Head of School

Be a Star at Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

Straz Center and Patel Conservatory are seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Arts Education Officer/Head of School to join our education team. This role carries institution-wide responsibility for advancing educational and community engagement strategies across all programs, while providing direct leadership of the Conservatory’s curriculum, faculty, student services, financial tracking/planning and accreditation compliance. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this position ensures the educational mission is fully aligned with the artistic, financial, and civic goals of Straz.

This is a senior executive position responsible for shaping and advancing the Conservatory’s educational and community engagement efforts by having a strong aptitude for arts education, leadership and developing and managing programs and budgets. Good communication, collaboration, and organization are essential, as is a commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and staff. The ability to solve problems, support other’s growth, and build community partnerships.

Located in downtown Tampa, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, offers a team-based work environment that shows our dedication to the community every day. We reward our full-time employees with a strong benefits package including options for health/dental, vision, etc., discounted downtown parking, food and show discounts, plus a generous 403(b) plan and up to 27 days of PTO/Holidays per year.

Essential Functions:

Educational Strategy & Organizational Leadership
-Define and execute the long-term vision for education and community engagement across Straz, including youth, adult, and pre-professional programming.
-Serve as the chief education advisor to the CEO and collaborate with senior leadership on institutional planning and strategic initiatives.
-Lead the development, expansion, and evaluation of new programs and partnerships in dance, theater, music, arts in health, and community engagement.
-Serve as oversight staff to the Arts Education and Community Engagement Committees of the Board of Directors.

Head of School Responsibilities
-Provide comprehensive leadership and oversight of the Conservatory School, including academic, artistic, and operational functions.
-Maintain and strengthen the school’s accreditation status, ensuring compliance with all accrediting bodies.
-Oversee student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and academic progression.
-Cultivate a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment for students, faculty, and families.
-Develop and enforce student and faculty policies, including discipline and attendance.

Curriculum & Program Oversight
-Oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of curriculum in dance, theater, music, and community engagement.
-Ensure integration of innovative, diverse, and relevant content across all disciplines.
-Utilize professional network partnerships and resources that introduce new programs and educational advancement.
-Support professional development and training for faculty and teaching artists.
-Plan and lead annual faculty meetings, orientations, and accreditation preparations.

Community Engagement & Advancement
-Act as the external face of education and community engagement, building partnerships with schools, universities, donors, and civic organizations. 
-Develop organization-wide strategies for community collaboration and inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) initiatives. 
-Engage with local and state officials, industry representatives, and community leaders to advance partnerships. 
-Collaborate with Development and Marketing teams on fundraising, scholarship programs, and donor reporting. 
-Serve as a spokesperson at public events and Board meetings.

Financial & Operational Management
-Develop, manage, and approve departmental operating budgets. 
-Analyze and manage class enrollments and structure learning tracks and class scheduling that provides maximum enrollment matched to top level financial results. 
-Provide financial direction, oversight and Strategic planning. 
-Ensure compliance with financial policies, cash management, student registration, and tuition payment systems. 
-Work with Finance and Development teams to ensure timely reporting and alignment with fundraising goals. 
-Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure enrollment growth, retention, community impact, and financial performance. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:
-Supervise Department Chairs (Dance, Music, Theater), Admissions Manager, Education Operations Supervisor, Community Engagement Manager, Technical Director, and administrative staff. 
-Mentor, monitor, and evaluate staff performance and encourage professional growth. 
-Ensure fair and consistent procedures for hiring, training, evaluation, and promotion of staff. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
-Practical experience as an arts education teacher, teaching artist or arts educator in both the classroom and through media outlets. 
-Provide visionary teaching leadership platforms for the music, dance and theater departments. 
-Ability to provide written examples of authored curriculum plans or published works focused on youth and/or arts education.
-Experience managing accredited programs and regulatory compliance in the education or performing arts spheres. 
-Proven experience in organizational budget building and forecasting management. 
-Demonstrated excellence in curriculum development, accreditation management, and program innovation. 
-Strong commitment to diversity, welcoming, belonging, and accessibility. 
-Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills. 

Education and Work Experience:
-Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education, Arts Administration, Performing Arts, or related field. Masters preferred.
-Minimum 10-20 years of progressive leadership experience in academic, nonprofit, developing arts education framework and structures for arts education settings.

Preferred Experience:
-Leadership within a producing organization, performing arts center, conservatory, or nonprofit education institution. 
-Background in professional arts performance, directing, or creative practice.
-Experience in creative development,  youth development, arts in health, and interdisciplinary learning. 
-Familiarity with community engagement and fundraising strategies. 

Certifications / Licenses:
-Not required.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
-While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time, use the computer, reach, and communicate both in person and by telephone.
-Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
-Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
-The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Please visit our website at www.StrazCenter.org to learn more about the Straz Center.