Director, National High School Institute

Department: SoC Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between $85,000-$95,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

As part of the External Affairs team at the Northwestern University School of Communication (SoC), the Director of the National High School Institute (NHSI) leads and produces all activities for year-round and intensive summer experience, serving 600+ high school students. This includes preparation, recruitment, and execution of programs in debate (policy), theatre arts (performance, musical theater, and stage management/design), film and video (production, writing for stage/screen, animation, and acting for the camera), and playwriting, as well as managing potential SoC/NHSI affiliate high school summer program contracts.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Leads high school preparation/recruitment programs; works with area division directors, and full time NHSI staff to identify and implement dynamic curriculum opportunities aligned with the mission goals and educational direction of SoC. Determines program needs and allocates resources on an ongoing basis. Oversees in-school playwriting residencies in Chicago and Los Angeles area high schools and acts as Director of the Summer Playwriting Institute;
• Coordinates efforts with NU Legal, Risk Management, SoC, HR, The Family Institute, NU Temp Center, and NHSI area directors to recruit, hire, and train faculty/staff in compliance with rules/regulations relating to minors on campus, including DCFS mandated reporting, criminal background checks, non-discrimination, harassment, mental health support, and any other relevant student health/safety procedures as needed;
• Manages budgets and payrolls for the NHSI programs, provides quarterly projections of enrollment and revenue/expenses, and guides the program toward annual objectives in accordance with SoC mission goals/educational direction;
• Collaborates with colleagues in the School of Communication and staff that manage SoC facilities including the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, John J. Louis Hall, and Annie May Swift, as well as central units including Residential Services, food service, health services, Norris Center, and the registrar on securing needed facilities, services and space for curricular and residential programs for over 600 students and 100+ summer faculty/staff. Works with Alumni Relations and Development to support donor outreach;
• Reads, assesses, and coordinates application data intake from applicants and over 1,300 high schools for the admissions and scholarship committees. Compiles post program data/support on student participation, Northwestern matriculation, and other relevant outcomes;
• Coordinates and shares information between Student Enrichment Services, The Registrar's Office, Student Accounts, and The Bursar's Office to create class information, and student online profiles for automated payment in compliance with best accounting practices;
• Develops relationships with leading high schools (national and international), guidance counselors, fine arts coordinators, teachers, principals, college test boards, NHSI student (and parent) alumni, and various high school educators/program directors to grow the program profile. Manages/guides online social media initiatives and content creation to support the NHSI mission;
• Serves as the guardian or parent liaison to over 500+ NHSI students in cases of safety/emergency annually from June through August. The position also serves as the daily available contact for any other non-emergency parental contact for health, safety, or discipline related issues;
• Collaborates with colleague in the School of Communication to support communications, marketing, event, technology support, finance, and undergraduate and student affairs to develop the programs in alignment with the mission and resources of the SoC.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Identify the minimum qualifications required to successfully perform the job. Qualifications include education, experience, specialized knowledge, professional certification.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree or higher in communication, performing arts, arts administration, education, business, higher education administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience leading or managing academic, enrichment, arts, youth-serving, or similarly complex programs.
• Experience overseeing program operations that include scheduling, staffing, participant communications, and coordination across multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience supervising staff and/or coordinating the work of temporary, seasonal, or part-time personnel.
• Experience managing budgets, payroll, or financial processes with attention to forecasting, reconciliation, and policy compliance.
• Experience working with minors, students, or youth populations in environments requiring strong attention to safety, conduct, and risk management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all required institutional clearances, trainings, and background checks associated with work involving minors and campus-based youth programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex academic or enrichment programs involving multiple stakeholders, concurrent workstreams, and time-sensitive operational deliverables.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute across an annual cycle of recruitment, program delivery, and post-program assessment.
• Ability to manage program budgets, payroll, and financial forecasting with strong attention to accuracy, compliance, and stewardship of resources.
• Ability to supervise, coach, and coordinate the work of full-time and seasonal staff in a high-volume, service-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly learn policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to working with minors, student safety, mandated reporting, and employment practices.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, manage sensitive situations, and respond calmly and effectively to health, safety, conduct, and parent/guardian concerns.
• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively across academic, administrative, and external constituencies.
• Ability to analyze applications, enrollment, and program outcome data to support admissions, scholarship, planning, and continuous improvement decisions.
• Demonstrated customer service orientation and commitment to delivering a high-quality student and family experience.

Preferred Qualifications (Education, Experience, Certifications, Skills)

• Master's degree or other advanced degree in communication, performing arts, arts administration, education, higher education administration, business, or a related field.
• Experience leading or managing a pre-college, youth-serving, summer intensive, academic enrichment, arts, or residential program of comparable scale and complexity.
• Experience supervising full-time staff and a large seasonal or temporary workforce, including hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Experience working with outside constituencies such as high school advisors, counselors, educators, arts organizations, alumni, donors, or community partners.
• Experience operating effectively in a complex, matrixed university, nonprofit, or mission-driven environment with multiple internal partners and shared services.
• Experience with recruitment, admissions, scholarship review, enrollment management, and/or student services for selective academic or arts-based programs.
• Knowledge of the Chicagoland arts, cultural, and educational landscape and its relevance to student recruitment, partnerships, and program visibility.
• Strategic thinking and program development skills, including the ability to identify growth opportunities and align program direction with institutional priorities.
• Demonstrated inclusive leadership and ability to foster an environment that supports students, families, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong change management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt quickly and make effective decisions in dynamic, high-pressure situations.
• Ability to build and sustain external partnerships and represent the program credibly with prospective families, educators, alumni, and donors.
• Strong data orientation, including the ability to use program metrics and assessment findings to inform planning, improve outcomes, and support decision-making.
• Experience guiding communications, outreach, and digital engagement strategies to support recruitment, visibility, and stakeholder connection.
• Political acumen and sound judgment in navigating institutional processes, cross-functional relationships, and sensitive student or parent issues.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, service excellence, and high standards of operational execution.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.