Executive Director of Mid-Pacific School of the Arts (MPSA)

SALARY RANGE: $100,000 – $125,000 Annually

JOB SUMMARY

Mid-Pacific Institute seeks a dynamic and accomplished arts leader to serve as Executive Director of the Mid-Pacific School of the Arts (MPSA), providing visionary leadership for a distinctive pre-conservatory arts program within a vibrant educational community.

The Executive Director champions the arts as an essential part of the Mid-Pacific experience, cultivating an ambitious and coherent vision across a diverse range of artistic disciplines. The Executive Director elevates the student experience, builds meaningful partnerships within Hawai`i and beyond, and strengthens the visibility, reputation, and long-term sustainability of the School of the Arts.

As both an artistic and educational leader, the Executive Director brings together people, programs, and resources around a shared commitment to excellence. Working closely with program heads, faculty, school leadership, families, artists, and community partners, the Executive Director ensures that MPSA continues to be a place where students are challenged to discover their artistic voice, develop their craft, and create work of extraordinary quality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Collaborate

Leverage dynamic and mutually beneficial relationships with other constituent groups on and off campus for the purpose of providing all of the necessary support to highlight, grow, and sustain a prestigious pre-conservatory arts school within a school.

• Serve as a champion for the School of the Arts within strategic conversations at all levels, including but not limited to academic, campus & calendar planning, and budgetary meetings.
• Work closely with the School of the Arts program heads to support their vision, the faculty, and the program.
• Partner with Communications to strengthen MPSA’s visibility, reputation, and public narrative, ensuring that Mid-Pacific effectively conveys the importance and impact of the School of the Arts.
• Partner with Operations to effectively oversee Mid-Pacific’s arts-related classrooms and facilities as well as MPSA’s financial resources.
• Partner with Institutional Advancement to cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, families, foundations, corporate partners, and other supporters; identify opportunities for fundraising; and support philanthropic efforts aligned with MPSA priorities.
• Collaborate with the Enrollment Management office to showcase the School of the Arts to current and prospective families, including participating in Open Houses, admissions interviews, and other events.
• Collaborate with College & Career Counseling to ensure guidance and support are provided to students and families interested in advancing their studies in the arts.

Manage Events and Guest Artist Programs

Create a first-class patron experience at all productions and exhibitions that simultaneously highlights the School of the Arts while deepening community connection and increasing pride.

• Provide strategic oversight of MPSA productions, exhibitions, performances, and public programs, ensuring that they advance MPSA’s artistic vision, educational mission, and relationship with the broader community.
• Oversee MPSA event execution, including supervising the Administrative Assistant’s management of the Box Office and ticketing operations, coordinating with the Technical Director and parent volunteers, and directly participating as appropriate to ensure a high-quality experience for students, families, and patrons.
• Partner with Communications to ensure that major productions, exhibitions, and events are effectively positioned and communicated to internal and external audiences.
• Establish and steward relationships with Guest Artists/Artists-in-Residence and other artistic collaborators, set priorities and oversee contracts for artist engagement, and ensure guest artist programs advance MPSA’s artistic and educational goals.
• Be willing and available to work outside of regular school hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the dynamic and diverse scheduling needs of our arts programs and events.

Administer

Ensure administrative sustainability by documenting institutional knowledge, establishing and maintaining workflows, and developing and following a school year/production calendar.

• Plan and manage the School of the Arts calendar, working closely with Program Heads to finalize the production calendar.
• Oversee administrative systems and workflows to ensure that MPSA operates effectively within Mid-Pacific’s policies and procedures.
• Lead long-term succession planning and institutional knowledge transfer to support continuity and resilience across MPSA programs.
• Develop, implement, and manage budgets in collaboration with program heads and the business office, ensuring fiscal sustainability while meeting resource needs.

Lead
Establish a vibrant internal and external presence for the School of the Arts by fostering strong and productive relationships that support a strategic vision.

• Supervise and evaluate designated School of the Arts faculty, including conducting regular classroom observations and providing timely, actionable feedback.
• Support arts faculty in creating rigorous, engaging learning experiences that develop students as artists while reflecting Mid-Pacific’s educational mission, values, and commitment to student growth.
• Serve as the primary external ambassador for MPSA, representing the School of the Arts with arts and culture organizations, community leaders, donors, alumni, families, and other stakeholders.
• Build a robust professional network with other arts organizations locally and nationally.
• Effectively manage vendors and outside services contractors.
• Provide support to the School of the Arts Administrative Assistant, Technical Director, and Studio Assistant through training, monitoring performance, coaching and developing required skills, and conducting timely performance evaluations.
• Promote faculty professional growth through coaching, goal-setting, evaluation, and opportunities for collaboration and continued development as educators and practicing artists.
• Partner with Program Heads to strengthen instructional practice, foster coherence within and across arts disciplines, and ensure consistently high expectations for teaching, learning, and artistic excellence.
• Develop, communicate, and implement a strategic vision and multi-year priorities for MPSA, with clear annual goals and measures of progress.
• Cultivate a coherent instructional vision within a richly diverse set of programs.
• Translate department priorities into meaningful, motivating goals and objectives that the team can understand and deliver on.
• Support cross-functional efforts and model core values to set an example for other team members.

Attendance and On-Site Presence

• Regular and predictable attendance at work.
• Provides in-person support and service.

SCHOOL SAFETY

• Participate in the development of a safe and healthy workplace.
• Comply with the instructions given for their own safety and health and that of others, in adhering to safe work procedures.
• Take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and health and that of others.
• Report any injury, hazard or illness immediately, to their Supervisor and Human Resources.
• Not place others at risk by any act or omission, not willfully or recklessly interfere with safety equipment.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating safe work behaviors.
• Identify, assess if necessary, and control hazards within area of responsibility.
• Ensure that equipment/supplies are properly maintained.
• Maintain relevant knowledge of safety laws.
• Mandatory reporting of sexual abuse to law enforcement or child protective services, and Human Resources. Sexual abuse includes child molestation, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with a minor, and serial sexual misconduct, any actual or alleged illegal or otherwise wrongful sexual conduct with more than one victim; and committed by or alleged to have been committed by any perpetrator who is not a student of an included entity.
• Develop safe work procedures and ensure adherence to procedures.
• Ensure compliance of safety policies and procedures.
• Communicate safety issues with employees.
• Ensure that employees are provided information, instruction, training and supervision that they need to work safely.
• Ensure that employees are aware of and abide by all relevant safety procedures.
• Encourage early reporting of incidents and forward information to Manager and Human Resources immediately.

CULTURAL COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrating Professional Body of Knowledge: A professional demonstrates an understanding of practice area knowledge and appreciates learning more about this practice area and beyond.
• Professional as a Learner: A professional engages in career-long professional learning and ongoing critical reflection to identify opportunities for improving leadership, mentoring, and collaboration. The inherent nature of a professional staff member is a keen, lifelong passion for learning, and a deep curiosity and wonder about people, events, and places.
• Fostering Effective Relationships: A professional builds positive working relationships with colleagues, other departments, and the community.
• Establishing an Inclusive Environment: A professional creates a safe, caring environment that is inclusive of and engaging for others.
• Professional as a Leader: A professional seeks leadership opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an arts-related field or relevant leadership experience.
• Significant professional experience in the arts and culture sector, with demonstrated knowledge of arts programming, artistic practice, and/or arts administration.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management experience, including supervising, coaching, developing, and evaluating staff.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record in community organizing and advocacy, leveraging experience to foster meaningful connections in the arts and greater communities.
• Experience effectively managing complex systems, including diverse departments, student bodies, and various art forms.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, resources, and organizational priorities, with sound financial judgment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, and adaptability, particularly in navigating complex interpersonal and organizational situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in Arts Administration.
• Experience working with various art forms, such as dance, hula, theatre, band, orchestra, vocal ensemble, ceramics, visual/digital media, and other creative disciplines.
• Knowledge of effective teaching practices (and experience as a teacher) is highly desirable but not required.
• Experience with fundraising, grantmaking, or institutional advancement.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, 12-month position that includes responsibilities during the summer and scheduled school breaks. This position requires a minimum 40-hour work week during regular work hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. Hours may vary based on program needs, deadlines, or school events. Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours (i.e., evenings and weekends) is frequently required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Our campus consists of multiple buildings on 44 hilly acres that requires frequent walking, including uphill and stairs. The individual is required to talk and hear, often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel, and to manipulate keys on a keyboard. The employee may be required to stand, walk, lift and carry approximately 10-15 pounds, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Requires close vision.

MENTAL DEMANDS

Daily must frequently problem solve, make decisions, interpret data, organize, speak, write, plan, and clearly communicate.

EQUIPMENT USE

Telephone, computer, iPad - frequently;

Copier, printers, and other hardware – occasionally

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoor - frequently;

Outdoor, Loud Noise, Cold and Hot Temperatures – occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Mid-Pacific Institute provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, marital status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.