Education Director

Third Stone, Seattle, WA

bumbershoot.com/thirdstone

Third Stone is a Seattle-based arts and education nonprofit. Our mission is to foster an inclusive, energized, and sustainable arts economy in the Pacific Northwest through festival production, artistic spectacle, and community-driven programming. We are the public arm behind the revitalized Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival and its new workforce development and education program. Third Stone aims to create a diverse and vibrant cultural hub, driven by our four key pillars: Education, Community, Art and Accessibility, and Festival as the Classroom.

At the heart of Third Stone is an education plan and Workforce Development Program designed to break down barriers for underrepresented communities in the arts economy. This initiative focuses on young BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals (ages 17-25), providing them with technical, creative, and business skills in concert and event promotion through hands-on field training, internships, mentorship, one-on-one instruction using a "festival as classroom" approach, and job placement opportunities. Program participants will watch our successes and challenges in real time as we program and operate the festival with a vision to elevate Seattle by fostering a more sustainable creative arts ecosystem and produce ticketed and free arts spectacle and live event programming.

Third Stone seeks a creative and dedicated Education Director. The Education Director will collaborate with the Executive Director and community partners , including The Crocodile, to build a robust workforce development program and establish enduring partnerships that serve yo ung people from communities historically underrepresented in the creative economy. The next Education Director will play a vital role in the organization by overseeing, enhancing, and expanding the scope and impact of the Workforce Development Program. This position is a foundational leader in fostering and building coalitions with community organizations, providing effective and supportive leadership to program staff and participants, managing the program budget, and representing the program in the community. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Program Development

• Provide oversight and management of Workforce Development Program.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and key stakeholders to establish program goals, and review and revise procedures and policies in alignment with strategic direction.
• Represent Third Stone at community events, including presentations at local and national conferences and workshops.

Participant Support

• Create and maintain communications with program participations such as weekly emails, 1:1 check-ins, feedback sessions, scheduling and more.
• Manage and develop program participant recruiting and application processes.
• Create a program schedule, as well as industry tours, speaker series and advanced workshops to provide hands-on learning opportunities.
• Develop and oversee alumni program.
• Assist with job placement opportunities.

Partnership Development

• Cultivate and maintain partner network for industry contacts and manage partner relationships, contracts, and invoicing.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with potential and existing program partner sites and organizations that align with program and strategic goals.

Operations

• Track and provide analysis and reporting of key program metrics (including equity, social justice).
• Monitor program expenditures within approved budget, and support program budget development annually.
• Contribute to building the program narrative that supports fundraising, reporting, and general program communications activities as appropriate.
• Plan and implement an annual fundraising event showcasing the education and Workforce Development Program in partnership with the Development Director and external partners.

Qualifications and Candidate Attributes

• A genuine interest in the mission of Third Stone and a working knowledge and experience in workforce development, arts and alternative education, and/or social justice work.
• A minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience, particularly in working with youth and young adults, as well as establishing and maintaining community partnerships.
• Track record of creating and managing budgets and databases.  
• Solid time management and organizational skills with a proven ability to effectively handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience with or established partnerships within LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Pacific Northwest arts and culture communities. 
• Strong interpersonal skills that ensure an open, honest, and collaborative atmosphere.
• Strategic and creative thinker with a commitment to ongoing personal growth and professional development.
• A commitment to social justice, actively engaging in personal and organizational reflection, critical dialogue, and growth around issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Comfortable in nontraditional work environment and entertainment spaces like music venues, art galleries, and festival grounds.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time, exempt position: $90,000 - $110,000
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off and flexible work hours
• Hybrid work model, nights and weekends as needed for festival and program schedule

Application Process

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to To be considered for the role, a thoughtful, personalized cover letter that conveys your qualifications, enthusiasm, and communication style is required. Due to the volume of applicants, we are unable to respond to all inquiries.

Third Stone is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, queer, gay, lesbian and/or bisexual people, transgender, genderqueer and/or non-binary individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Third Stone is committed to the personal and professional growth of its employees. We work hard to build a supportive, respectful, and celebratory community among our staff, board, and volunteers. We look forward to finding the next member of our extended Bumbershoot family.