Director of Continuing Education (Year-Round)

The Director of Continuing Education provides strategic leadership for Interlochen's year-round educational offerings serving adult learners. As a leader within the Education Division, the Director advances Interlochen's mission by creating accessible pathways to arts learning, and generating sustainable earned revenue through high-quality educational experiences. This Director is responsible for developing and expanding innovative arts education opportunities for lifelong learners, and works collaboratively across Interlochen to extend the institution's impact and strengthen its role as a leading center for arts education throughout all stages of life.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for continuing education programs that aligns with Interlochen's mission and strategic priorities.
• Identify opportunities to expand lifelong learning, adult education, certificate programs, professional development offerings, and other appropriate initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging trends in arts and continuing education to inform program development and growth.
• Establish goals, metrics, and assessment processes to measure program effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.

Program Development and Innovation

• Design, launch, and oversee year-round arts education programs for adults, lifelong learners, educators, and others.
• Develop innovative educational experiences across artistic disciplines, including visual arts, music, theatre, dance, creative writing, film, and interdisciplinary arts.
• Expand hybrid and in-person learning opportunities in collaboration with Interlochen Online.
• Ensure educational excellence and a high-quality participant experience across all offerings.
• Foster interdisciplinary and cross-divisional collaborations that leverage Interlochen's artistic and educational resources.

Revenue Growth and Financial Management

• Develop and manage annual operating budgets for continuing education initiatives.
• Create sustainable business models that support program growth and financial performance.
• Monitor enrollment, revenue, expenses, and key performance indicators.
• Identify and pursue new revenue-generating opportunities through educational programming, partnerships, grants, and sponsorships.

Marketing and Enrollment Development

• Partner with Marketing and Communications to develop strategies that increase awareness, enrollment, and participation.
• Identify and cultivate new audiences for Interlochen's educational programs.
• Utilize market research and participant feedback to inform program design and growth strategies.
• Support recruitment and retention efforts through exceptional participant engagement and service.

Leadership and Administration

• Recruit, supervise, and support instructional staff, interns, staff assistants and others as appropriate.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain operational systems that ensure effective program delivery and participant support.
• Collaborate closely with leaders across Academy, Camp, Interlochen Online, Interlochen Presents and other areas as appropriate.

Assessment and Impact

• Measure educational, financial, and institutional impact through data collection and analysis.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Utilize assessment results to strengthen programming, improve participant outcomes, and guide future planning.
• Demonstrate the value and reach of Interlochen's community and continuing education initiatives.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in arts administration, education, nonprofit management, business, or a related field required. Master's degree in a related field preferred

Experience:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in arts education, continuing education, community engagement, program management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in program development, strategic planning, and budget management.
• Experience leading teams and managing complex projects.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and partnership-development skills.
• Commitment to arts education and lifelong learning.

Preferred

• Experience in a performing arts, educational, cultural, or nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success in enrollment growth, earned revenue generation, and entrepreneurial program development.
• Familiarity with arts education and creative workforce development.

Success Measures

• Growth in community participation and enrollment.
• Expansion of lifelong learning and continuing education opportunities.
• Achievement of earned revenue and budget goals.
• Development of meaningful community partnerships.
• Increased visibility and impact of Interlochen within regional and national communities.
• Successful implementation of innovative programs that advance Interlochen's mission and strategic objectives.

Equipment Familiarity:

• Experience with Mac products and Mac OS preferred
• Must know or be willing to learn the basic functions of standard educational technology equipment such as MiFis, Swivls, webcams, external mics, etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strategic and entrepreneurial thinking
• Educational program development
• Financial and business acumen
• Collaborative leadership
• Marketing and audience development
• Project and change management
• Commitment to artistic excellence and educational innovation
• Strong technological aptitude/abilities
• Self-motivated and proactive; strong aptitude as a self-starter who achieves with minimal oversight
• Ability to develop and implement a vision
• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently, switching focus as required
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Expertise with the Canvas learning management system as an administrator
• Expertise with Zoom (experience with the administrative functions of Zoom preferred)
• Expertise in google suite (gmail, google calendar, google docs, google sheets, etc..)
• Experience with Salesforce preferred
• Expertise in admission and enrollment systems
• Ability to function effectively in a constantly changing environment
• Demonstrate respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and linguistic diversity and values including differences in personal goals, lifestyle choices and varying family backgrounds and histories.

Application Materials Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation, Sick, Holiday and generous winter holiday time off
• Life insurance
• Voluntary life insurance
• Short and long-term disability
• Employee development & tuition reimbursement programs
• 403(b) plan, managed by TIAA
• Free or discounted employee tickets to Interlochen performances and events *some exceptions apply
• Early event ticket purchase before general public sales begin
• Free Stone Cafeteria meal on shift
• Dennison Recreation Center accessibility (includes spouses)
• Priority access to Interlochen employees at Pitter Patter Day Care Center (less than one mile from campus)
• Employee Referral Program (cash payments)
• Tuition discounts for employee's children at Academy, Camp and Interlochen Online
• Parental leave (12 weeks paid for Pregnancy/Maternity/Childbirth leave, 6 weeks paid for Parental leave).

Interlochen is proud to provide priority placement at Pitter Patter Preschool & Childcare located in the Interlochen Community Center, near our campus, for employees' dependents. In addition, Interlochen employees may be eligible for the MI Tri-Share Program. This program shares the cost of childcare between the state of Michigan, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the employee (The employee will only pay 1/3 of the total cost, if eligible). Income guidelines and more information about MI Tri-Share can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mwc/initiatives/mi-tri-share-child-care.