Head of Creative Arts

Milken Community Schools; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Milken Community Schools is seeking a Director of Creative Arts to provide strategic academic leadership for theater, music, dance, media, and related disciplines across grades 6–12. The role shapes a cohesive arts ecosystem, balancing breadth of access with artistic rigor and ensuring integration into the school culture and identity.

The position requires strong collaboration with curriculum, faculty, and administration to advance signature programs, productions, and student opportunities while

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent professional experience in theater, music, dance, arts education, or a related field.
• Experience teaching 2 courses each year.
• Significant experience in creative arts education and administration, program development, or leadership.
• Experience leading productions, ensembles, or arts programs at secondary or post-secondary level.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and arts pedagogy.
• Commitment to inclusive access and excellence in the arts.
• Clear communication and collaboration in partnerships with school leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and long-term vision for creative arts education across grades 6–12.
• Oversee a cohesive annual season of performances, ensembles, and showcases.
• Develop signature programs in Performing Arts and Storytellers.
• Lead and evaluate creative arts faculty and program heads.
• Collaborate with administration to ensure facilities, scheduling, and resources support artistic work.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni, guest artists, and external partners.

Skills

Arts leadership

Curricular planning

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

OUR MISSIONOur School, founded on Jewish values, is about who our children can become and how they can help others become who they might be. Because the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the School we build today, our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us.POSITION OVERVIEWThe Director of Creative Arts serves as the school’s senior educational leader for creative arts education and administration, including theater, music, dance, media, film, storytellers, and related creative disciplines. As a member of the Academic Leadership Team, this role provides strategic vision, curricular leadership, and cultural stewardship for a creative arts program that is rigorous, inclusive, artistically ambitious, and visible across the life of the school. The Heads is responsible for shaping a cohesive creative arts ecosystem that offers broad access for all students while cultivating excellence in advanced coursework, ensembles, and productions. Working in close partnership with every facet of the school, the Head ensures that the creative arts are positioned as a core dimension of Milken’s academic identity, student experience, and institutional distinction. The Head of Creative Arts reports to the Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs.RESPONSIBILITIESVision, Strategy, and Program DevelopmentProvide strategic leadership and long-term vision for creative arts education at Milken, ensuring excellence, coherence, and sustainability across grades 6–12Articulate a creative arts philosophy that balances breadth of access with depth of skill development and artistic rigorAdvance performing arts culture that is inclusive, aspirational, and integrated into school lifePosition the creative arts as a visible and valued component of Milken’s academic program and school cultureCollaborate with the Head of Curriculum and Integration and her team and with the Dean of Faculty and Instructional Leaders to develop Signature programs in Performing Arts and StorytellersPartner with school leadership in strategic conversations about investment, growth, and long-term sustainability of the creative arts programCurricular, Faculty and Departmental LeadershipLead the development of vertically aligned, credit-bearing creative arts pathways in all disciplinesEnsure clear entry points for beginners alongside advanced opportunities for committed student artistsSupport the integration of creative arts learning with broader curricular and interdisciplinary initiatives where appropriatePartner with the Director of Jewish Integration and creative arts faculty to support the purposeful integration of Jewish traditions into creative arts coursework, repertoire selection, and student work, in ways that are authentic, pluralistic, and artistically rigorousIn partnership with the Dean of Faculty, provide academic, artistic, and supervisory leadership for creative arts faculty and program heads, including goal-setting, feedback, and performance evaluationSupport excellence in teaching, directing, choreography, ensemble leadership, and production workPartner with school leadership to recruit, develop, and retain teaching artists who serve as both educators and practitionersSupport ongoing professional learning and artistic growth among creative arts facultyPerformances, Productions, and Student ExperienceOversee a cohesive annual season of performances, ensembles, and showcases that reflect artistic excellence and student voiceEnsure a balanced performance model that includes selective mainstage productions as well as inclusive, lower-barrier opportunitiesSupport structures for student leadership, authorship, and creative ownership within the creative artsCollaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure productions are educationally grounded, well-supported, and aligned with student wellbeingCommunity Engagement and VisibilityIncrease the visibility of the creative arts through performances, assemblies, exhibitions, and community events and partnershipsPartner with our External Relations Team, to articulate the creative arts as a defining feature of a Milken educationCultivate relationships with alumni, guest artists, and external partners within the Los Angeles creative ecosystemUse performances and showcases to strengthen community connection and student identityFacilities, Resources, and Operational PartnershipPartner with school leadership on long-term planning for creative arts facilities, resources, and staffingSupport the effective and strategic use of performance, rehearsal, and instructional spaces to enhance learning and production qualityCollaborate with operations and scheduling partners to support a sustainable and coherent creative arts calendarQUALIFICATIONSAdvanced degree or equivalent professional experience in theater, music, dance, arts education, or a related fieldExperience teaching 2 courses each yearSignificant experience in creative arts education and administration, program development, program leadership, or professional artistic practiceDemonstrated success leading productions, ensembles, or arts programs at the secondary or post-secondary levelStrong understanding of adolescent development and arts pedagogyExperience working collaboratively within an academic institutionVisionary leadership experience with the ability to build and sustain high-quality arts programs preferredStrong collaboration experience, comfortability leading through partnership, mentorship, and influence preferredCommitment to inclusive access and excellence in the arts preferredClear communication abilities and experience effectively advocating for the value of creative arts education preferredComfort balancing artistic ambition with institutional realities preferredSTANDARD ON-CAMPUS HOURSStart: M - F by 7:30 AMEnd: M - Th 3:30 PM, F 2:30 PMWill be required to work evenings and/or weekends, on and off campus, to support school events.*All schedules are subject to change.SALARY RANGE: $135,000 - $165,000This position is for the 2027-2028 school year and will have a July 1, 2027 start date.Milken strives to be a nurturing, diverse and inclusive community. It is a vibrant academic home, drawing faculty and staff from the spectrum of faith, social and cultural backgrounds.Milken is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional talent. We offer competitive salaries and benefits (view here) and a rare opportunity to do the kind of work that stays with you—building something meaningful alongside colleagues who care deeply, and helping young people become the leaders our world needs. Explore our other opportunities here.