Director of Education and Engagement

themorancompany; Cornelius (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, NC seeks a visionary Director of Education and Engagement to lead education, ceramics, visual arts, and community programs. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on program delivery.

You will guide a growing team, foster partnerships with schools and nonprofits, manage exhibitions, ceramics operations, and instructional programming, and report to the Executive Director as part of the Strategic Leadership Team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in arts, education, or a related field required (master’s degree preferred).
• 5–7+ years of progressive leadership experience in arts education, community engagement, or visual arts management.

Responsibilities

• Set the long-term vision for arts education, ceramics, visual arts exhibitions, and community engagement.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team with clear expectations, steady communication, and collaboration.
• Oversee youth and adult arts education programs, workshops, camps, and community-based learning initiatives.
• Build relationships with local schools, nonprofits, and community partners.
• Manage department budget, data evaluation, and cross-departmental coordination.

Skills

Project & Operational Management

Analytical & Critical Thinking

Communication & Collaboration

Technical Fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in arts or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

AI tools

Job description

Director of Education and Engagement

Cain Center for the Arts

Cornelius, North Carolina

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with Cain Center for the Arts to recruit the organization's next Director of Education and Engagement.

Organizational Background

Cain Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of providing exceptional visual arts, performing arts, and social experiences to the Lake Norman Region of North Carolina. Since opening its main facility in 2023, Cain Center has grown into a regional hub for creativity, learning, and cultural connection, offering year-round performances, a wide range of arts education programs, a ceramics studio, a visual arts gallery, and community impact initiatives that make the arts accessible to people of all ages.

On May 6, 2026, Cain Center opened its expansion campus, which includes Puckett Pottery House, Goodrum Program Offices, and the Courtyard. This expansion significantly increases capacity for ceramics, education, and community programming and represents a major step in Cain Center’s long-term vision for a multi-venue, multi-disciplinary arts ecosystem. To learn more, visit cainarts.org.

Position Summary

The Director of Education and Engagement provides strategic and operational leadership for Cain Center’s education, ceramics, visual arts, and community engagement programs. This role guides a department that is growing quickly and entering an important next phase of development, ensuring programs are mission-driven, community-centered, and aligned with Cain Center’s long-term vision.

The Director is both a strategic thinker and a detail-oriented project manager - someone who can set direction, build systems, and ensure strong day-to-day execution. Leading a team of specialists, the Director ensures high-quality execution of exhibitions, ceramics operations, and instructional programming. While the Visual Arts Assistant Curator and Ceramics Studio Manager oversee daily operations within their respective areas, the Director provides the overarching leadership, alignment, operational systems, and support necessary for team success.

As a member of the Strategic Leadership Team, the Director contributes to organizational planning, culture, and cross-departmental coordination and serves as a representative of Cain Center in the community.

• Employment status: Full-time, Exempt
• Work Location: On-site (Cornelius, NC) with occasional evening and weekend hours required
• Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Executive Director

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Direction & Leadership

• Set the long-term vision for arts education, ceramics, visual arts exhibitions, and community engagement.
• Develop multi-year plans and align departmental goals with organizational strategy.
• Utilize data, evaluation, and community feedback to guide decisions and strengthen impact.
• Establish clarity, structure, and operational systems for an evolving department.

Team Management & Staff Development

• Lead a multidisciplinary team with clear expectations, steady communication, and a collaborative spirit.
• Support the Curator and Ceramics team in the execution of high-quality exhibitions and ceramics operations.
• Provide coaching, professional guidance, and accountability to ensure team success.
• Foster a positive, supportive, and mission-driven workplace culture.

Program Oversight

• Oversee youth and adult arts education programs, workshops, camps, and community-based learning initiatives.
• Provide high-level leadership for ceramics programming and visual arts exhibitions.
• Ensure curriculum quality, instructor excellence, and safe, well-managed studios and classrooms. Support the development of educational materials, evaluation tools, and program resources.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Direct key community programs, including Community Music Lessons, Arts + Schools, Affordable Ticket Program, and Arts + Community.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with local schools, nonprofits, civic groups, and community partners.
• Represent Cain Center as a spokesperson and thought partner in the regional arts and education community.

Operations, Technology & Project Coordination

• Manage multiple initiatives and complex timelines with organization and clarity.
• Maintain robust systems for communication, documentation, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Leverage Microsoft Office Suite, emerging technologies, and AI tools to optimize departmental operations and messaging.
• Use Microsoft Office, technology, and AI tools confidently and thoughtfully to improve workflows and communication.

Financial Oversight & Collaboration

• Construct, manage, track, and report on the Education and Engagement department budget.
• Analyze financial data, identify and track key performance trends, and present clear financial reports.
• Exercise strong financial stewardship and responsible resource management.
• Partner with the Development department on grants, fundraising, and donor engagement.

Professional Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in arts, education, or a related field required (master’s degree preferred), paired with 5-7+ years of progressive leadership experience in arts education, community engagement, or visual arts management.

Essential Skills and Attributes

• Project & Operational Management: Exceptional organizational skills with proven success managing multifaceted educational and cultural programs.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Strong ability to evaluate data, solve complex operational challenges, and make sound strategic decisions.
• Communication & Collaboration: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills; adept at engaging constructively with diverse teams, stakeholders, and community partners.
• Technical Fluency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with learning new technologies, including leveraging AI tools to enhance organizational workflows.

Leadership Qualities

Cain Center values leaders who bring clarity, steadiness, and a collaborative spirit - people who communicate with honesty and respect, build trust through consistency, and approach challenges with curiosity and sound judgment.

Our leadership culture is grounded in three qualities:

• Humble – grounded, team-oriented, and mission-focused
• Hungry – proactive, driven, and committed to excellence
• Smart – perceptive, thoughtful, and effective in working with people

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $95,000. Benefits include PTO and holidays, employer-sponsored group health insurance, and professional development support.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Cain Center for the Arts actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. The Cain Center for the Arts is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.