Job Openings - Education Director

Education Director

Gray Area, a pioneering San Francisco-based nonprofit countercultural incubator at the intersection of art and technology, seeks a passionate, results-driven, and strategic Education Director to join our team. This role centers on creating, implementing, and expanding innovative programs that equip learners with holistic creative, critical, and technical skills. Our programs demonstrate the value of artistic thinking to engender socially conscious values that support a sustainable, equitable, and humanized society by building knowledge in cutting-edge domains like AI, the metaverse, decentralized web, and generative art / creative coding.

The Education Director will be responsible for shaping Gray Area’s Education vision, program, outreach, community, and brand. This role will also spearhead new education program development, turning forward-thinking concepts into sustainable, revenue-producing educational programs such as after-school programming, corporate team-building, teacher training, or workforce development through self-produced programs or in institutional partnerships, all with a strong emphasis on community resonance and engagement. The ideal candidate has a track record of holding educational leadership roles and upholding our ethos of open collaboration, inclusion, equity, and diversity.

Collaborating closely with leadership, the Education Director will chart the path toward funding strategies for both new and existing programs encompassing long-form intensive courses, workshops, residency programs, research labs, and events. Additionally, the Director will manage Education staff members, participate in the identification and hiring of contracted teachers, and take charge of the management of both online and in-person learning activities. The ideal candidate will be a true relationship-builder who believes in Gray Area’s work and mission, able to meet internal and external stakeholders on their own terms and direct their engagement towards mutually beneficial ends.

Gray Area’s mission is to cultivate, sustain, and apply antidisciplinary collaboration — integrating art, technology, science, and the humanities — towards a more equitable and regenerative future. Since our inception in 2008, Gray Area has established itself as a singular hub for critically engaging with technology and culture in the Bay Area, while also reaching a global audience. Through our platform of public events, education, and research programs we empower a diverse community of creative practitioners with the agency to create meaningful social impact through category-defying work.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse team, candidates from groups generally underrepresented in our field are especially encouraged to apply.

This position requires in-person work at our facilities in San Francisco.

Program Areas

Creative Technology Workshops and Intensive Courses

Hands-on programs building knowledge through artistic expression with technological tools.

Community Outreach and Access Programs

Initiatives ensuring accessible art and technology education, particularly for underserved communities.

Incubator and Mentorship Programs

Collaborative spaces for artists and technologists, fostering mentorship for emerging talents.

Professional Development for Art-Tech Integration

Workshops and programs aiding professionals to develop their imaginations.

Responsibilities

Curriculum Design & Implementation

Develop diverse curricula for new knowledge areas with program partners.

Recruitment & Development of Educators

Identify and nurture a pool of educators in line with the organization’s vision.

Revenue-Generating Program Development

Create programs aimed at generating sustainable revenue.

Collaboration & Partnership Building

Forge partnerships with institutions and community organizations.

Fundraising & Grant Writing

Lead efforts to secure funding supporting educational initiatives with support from organizational leadership.

Strategic Planning & Evaluation

Continuously assess and evolve programs to meet community needs.

Leadership & Mentorship

Provide guidance and leadership to foster growth and excellence.

Qualifications

Educational Expertise

Background in education, curriculum design, and program development.

Leadership & Vision

Proven ability to design and implement innovative educational initiatives.

Revenue Generation Skills

Experience in developing revenue-generating educational programs.

Relationship Building

Excellent communication skills to foster partnerships and community relations.

Passion for Arts and Technology

Deep appreciation for the value of holistic approaches to culture and technology in building a better society.

The ideal candidate should have

A genuine passion for Gray Area’s mission and the ability to hold meaningful conversations and foster relationships with prospective donors, corporate partners, and others
A track record of maintaining and growing relationships with individual supporters in a professional context
The ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend events in support of the fundraising plan and to travel, when required
Prior exposure to budget creation and management, and the ability to create, manage, and present budgets

Strong oral, written, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Ability to take initiative while working individually and collaboratively
Knowledge of, or interest, in the field of art and technology a major plus
Experience at a nonprofit organization, art venue, or higher education a major plus

Benefits and Salary

You will be entitled to participate in Gray Area's employee benefit plans and arrangements on the same terms and conditions as other similarly situated employees.

Full-time Period

Full-time salary: $75,000 - $90,000 commensurate with experience + benefits
Wide range of health care plans with $400/month company contribution
$10,000 Basic Life & AD&D fully paid paid by company
50% Short Term Disability fully paid by company
50% Long Term Disability fully paid by company
Unlimited vacation days with advanced notice and approval, unlimited sick days, and select bank holidays
Invitation to participate in Gray Area’s 401k plan. There is currently no company match for this plan

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

Gray Area is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by federal, state or local laws. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.