Job Title: Director of Performing Arts
Chadwick School
Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
Division/Department: K-12
Reports To: Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
Level/Grade: K-12
Type of position/FLSA: Full-time Exempt
Chadwick School is an independent, K-12, coeducational day school dedicated to academic excellence, the development of exemplary character, and self-discovery through experience. A highly educated faculty and staff bring out the best in the talented student body through active learning, challenging academics, one-on-one mentoring, unparalleled global opportunities, nationally distinguished outdoor education and community service programs, outstanding athletic opportunities, and award-winning visual and performing arts.
The core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, and compassion are widely shared and fostered daily in classrooms, during co-curricular activities, and through the camaraderie of this close-knit community.
Located on a beautiful, 45-acre hilltop campus on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Chadwick enrolls over 800 students drawn from more than 45 Southern California communities.
Founded in 1935 by visionary educator Margaret Lee Chadwick, Chadwick is one of two schools operated by the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation. In 2010, Chadwick International School was formed in Songdo, South Korea, which expanded opportunities for students around the globe to benefit from a world-class Chadwick education.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Performing Arts at Chadwick School leads the K-12 Performing Arts Program with a deep passion for the arts, a strategic and operational mindset, and extensive experience in both classroom instruction and production. This individual supervises and inspires a talented team of educators, including a technical director and teachers in theater, instrumental music, vocal music, and dance across divisions.
Committed to fostering a rich, inclusive learning environment aligned with Chadwick’s mission and core values, the Director cultivates students' love for performance, creativity, and artistic expression while instilling courage and a strong sense of community. The Director helps set a clear, forward-looking vision for the program, champions its continued growth and improvement, and builds a collaborative, joyful team culture in which faculty feel supported, valued, and inspired to do their best work.
ASSOCIATED RESPONSIBILITIES
- Be on campus from approximately 7:45 AM to 3:45 PM on school days. When supporting or directing evening tech week rehearsals and productions, start times may be adjusted accordingly unless morning teaching responsibilities require an earlier arrival.
- Model the Chadwick Core Values and foster joyful, inclusive learning and collaborative environments.
- Attend all faculty meetings and professional development days.
- Teach one performing arts course.
- Read and follow employment policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.
- Read and follow academic policies outlined in the relevant division Handbook.
Strategy and Vision
- Help develop and articulate a long-term strategic vision for the K-12 Performing Arts Program that aligns with Chadwick's mission and values.
- Set program goals and benchmarks, regularly assessing the program's strengths and growth areas to drive continuous improvement.
- Stay current with trends, innovations, and best practices in performing arts education, bringing fresh ideas that keep the program vibrant and forward-looking.
- Champion initiatives that expand access, deepen artistic quality, and elevate the visibility and impact of the performing arts across the school community.
Leadership & Faculty Support
- Supervise and support performing arts faculty, including full and part-time faculty and contracted specialists.
- Cultivate a collaborative, joyful, and supportive team culture in which faculty feel valued, trusted, and empowered to take ownership of their programs.
- Model a collaborative mindset by soliciting and responding to faculty feedback.
- Invest in the professional growth of faculty through mentorship, feedback, and meaningful professional development opportunities.
- Support and guide teachers in curriculum development, alignment, and best practices in performing arts education.
- Recognize and celebrate faculty accomplishments, and proactively support faculty wellbeing and workload balance, particularly during demanding production and performance seasons.
- Facilitate weekly department meetings and participate in Curriculum Team meetings with Department Chairs.
Administrative & Operational Management
- Oversee the Technical Director in managing performing arts facilities, including signage, storage, and equipment organization.
- Manage department budget, resource allocation, hiring of outside contractors, and purchasing.
- Support coordination of logistics for non-program-specific performing arts field trips, travel arrangements, and communication.
- Oversee the Performing Arts Department's social media presence.
- Serve as a liaison to Limelighters, the parent volunteer group, attending monthly evening meetings or ensuring department representation.
Production & Event Oversight
- Oversee and manage the annual performing arts calendar.
- Collaborate with faculty and Division Directors to evaluate productions for artistic merit, challenge, and alignment with Chadwick's mission, values, and DEI philosophy.
- Attend performances to provide support and feedback to directors.
- Support directors of concerts and productions as needed.
- Oversee concerts and productions, including ticketing, patron management, volunteer coordination, lobby setup, meals, parking, facilities, and maintenance support.
- Coordinate with directors and the marketing/communications team for event promotion.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
- Bachelor's Degree required; master’s preferred or comparable professional experience.
- Minimum five years of teaching and production experience.
- Deep knowledge of performing arts and educational practices.
- Proven leadership and supervisory skills, particularly in leadership support and consensus building.
- Exceptional communication and organizational abilities, including organizing details of productions and performances and ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to effectively handle multiple priorities.
Compensation:
Anticipated base compensation is $125,000 - $140,000 commensurate with experience. The position will begin August 2026
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT
- Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
- Occasionally required to use hand to handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
- May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.
- Required to sit while operating word processing equipment up to several hours daily, repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs.
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
CLEARANCES
Required Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background check
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.
By submitting an Employment Application, I hereby understand and agree that it is consistent with its obligations under Education Code Section 44051 subd. (a)(2) and as a part of the application consideration process, Chadwick School will contact each Educational Employer and inquire about your employment history including, without limitation, whether I was the subject of any credible complaints of, substantiated investigations into, or discipline for, egregious misconduct, as defined in Education Code Section 44932, subd. (a)(1).
Similar Jobs
What We Do
Chadwick School is a private, independent K-12 co-educational day school located in Palos Verdes, California. It is dedicated to developing global citizens with keen minds, exemplary character, and the ability to lead. The school emphasizes self-discovery through experience and reflection, academic excellence, and a commitment to core values such as respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, and compassion.
