Junior Musical Lead Director - MS

Reports to: Middle School Principal
Evaluated by: Middle School Principal
Salary: Group IV
Location:  MS

Statement of Purpose and Values Alignment

New Albany-Plain Local Schools (NAPLS) is committed to empowering all learners to reach their full potential by cultivating character, curiosity, and confidence. The Junior Musical Lead Director - MS plays a critical leadership role in advancing the district's purpose and values by providing an education-based theatre experience that develops the whole student—academically, socially, ethically, and for skill development. Directors/Advisors are expected to model and promote the district's core values, including kindness, dignity, respect, responsibility, integrity, belonging, and excellence, while ensuring extracurriculars remain an extension of the educational mission of New Albany-Plain Local Schools.

Position Overview

The Junior Musical Lead Director - MS is the chief leader of the assigned extracurricular program and is responsible for its vision, culture, administration, and performance. This position extends well beyond directing and requires strategic leadership, program development, staff supervision, and intentional student growth. The Director is responsible for ensuring a safe, inclusive, and academically aligned program that complies with all district policies, New Albany-Plain Local Schools expectations, and all applicable Extracurricular and Athletics Handbook regulations, and activity-specific rules.

Leadership Expectations

The Junior Musical Lead Director - MS is expected to:

• Serve as the program leader and primary ambassador for the Middle School Theatre program within the school and community.
• Establish and sustain a clear program philosophy aligned with district values and department standards.
• Set and enforce high expectations for behavior, effort, accountability, and citizenship.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful activity culture where all students feel valued and supported.
• Model professionalism, ethical conduct, and sound judgment at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the principal.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Culture

• Lead all aspects of the activity program, including philosophy, culture, standards, and long-term vision.
• Build a developmentally focused program for grades 6-8 that emphasizes character, leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
• Align program practices and expectations with education-based activities and student well-being.
• Select appropriate scripts for performances.

Student Development

• Teach activity-specific skills, strategies, and conditioning appropriate to the level of performance.
• Conduct auditions and rehearsals in a professional manner and evaluate student performance based on established criteria.
• Prioritize student safety, wellness, and injury prevention.
• Support and monitor academic progress, reinforcing the importance of classroom success.
• Promote personal growth, decision-making skills, and responsible behavior.
• Clearly define, articulate, implement, and create a culture of accountability for a theatre program aligned with the building and district expectations.
• Establish, clearly articulate, and enforce competencies for the selection of student leaders (if applicable).

Staff Leadership & Supervision

• Recruit, recommend, mentor, supervise, and evaluate assistant directors and approved volunteers.
• Clearly define staff roles and expectations and support professional growth.
• Ensure all staff meet district and state certification and training requirements.
• Ensure all volunteers have appropriate background checks and other necessary credentials.
• Coordinate the work and rehearsal schedule for staff and volunteers.

Communication & Collaboration

• Maintain consistent, proactive, and professional communication with students, families, staff, administrators and community.
• Facilitate a parent meeting prior to each performance season for parents to review expectations and rehearsal/performance schedules.
• Clearly communicate program expectations, schedules, and updates through approved district platforms.
• Follow district communication protocols and collaborate with school and district leadership.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all Extracurricular and Athletic Handbook bylaws, applicable local/regional/state/national organizational regulations, eligibility requirements, and participation limits.
• Actively seek guidance or direction from the principal or assistant principal to enforce the codes of conduct.
• Complete all required eligibility, consent, physical, and participation documentation.
• Attend required  district and school meetings.
• Assist with scheduling, transportation coordination (if necessary), and event supervision.
• Coordinate the rehearsal schedule for students, taking into account student academic needs and expectations.
• Manage program equipment, uniforms, inventory, and facilities responsibly, acquiring props and costumes as needed to support the program's performances.
• Provide the advertising and promotion of the theatre production throughout the school community.
• Ensure compliance with fiduciary policies and guidelines, including fundraising with/for team/activity, department, school, booster or other like organizations.
• Implement an awards program as directed or approved by the principal.

Program Development & Community Engagement

• Coordinate and lead off-season and summer development opportunities within district guidelines.
• Collaborate with staff or community resources to support student development.
• Build alignment with high school and youth programs to support long-term program sustainability.
• Represent the program positively within the school and community.

Required Qualifications

• Prior experience in dramatic direction at the middle school, high school, community, or collegiate level.
• Valid Ohio Department of Education Pupil Activity Permit or evidence of obtainability.
• Valid Ohio teaching certification in drama/theatre preferred, but not required.
• Ability to meet all state certification requirements, including but not limited to the following for activities involving physical activity:
  • Fundamentals of Coaching
  • Concussion Education
  • CPR/AED and First Aid certification
  • Lindsay's Law and Sudden Cardiac Arrest training
• Demonstrated leadership, organization, and program management skills.
• Commitment to education-based activities and student development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to build and sustain a positive, inclusive, and student-centered program culture.
• Knowledge of district policies, school procedures, and applicable local/state/regional/national bylaws and regulations.
• Expertise in activity-specific development techniques, training methods, and performance.
• Skill in mentoring, supervising, and evaluating assistant staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to collaborate with academic staff.
• Commitment to continuous professional learning and improvement.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and focus on student safety.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Put students first and consistently prioritize academic success, personal growth, and well-being.
• Lead with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence.
• Uphold the values, purpose, and reputation of New Albany-Plain Local Schools.
• Create an environment where students develop skills within their activity and as leaders and responsible citizens.

Professional Conduct

Each staff member shall remain free of alcohol or non-prescribed controlled substances in the workplace and refrain from abuse of prescribed substances. Staff members are expected to serve as positive role models and uphold ethical principles, democratic values, and professional standards consistent with district policy and Ohio law.

Junior Musical Lead Director - MS Evaluation Alignment – Indicators of Success

The Junior Musical Lead Director - MS will be evaluated annually by the Principal, with input from the Principal, using multiple measures aligned to district values, school expectations, and sponsoring organization standards (if applicable). Success is defined as sustained program quality, student development, and professional leadership over time—not solely performances or awards.

Program Leadership & Culture

• Clearly articulated program philosophy aligned with NAPLS values and education-based extracurriculars.
• Consistent demonstration of integrity, professionalism, and ethical leadership.
• Positive, inclusive activity culture evidenced by citizenship, respect, and accountability.
• Low incidence of conduct issues; appropriate and timely responses when issues arise.

Student Development & Well-Being

• Observable growth in students' activity-specific skills and understanding of the activity.
• Strong emphasis on safety, wellness, and injury prevention in collaboration with district training staff.
• Support of academic achievement, eligibility compliance, and positive student behavior.
• Intentional development of leadership, teamwork, resilience, and character.

Staff Leadership & Management

• Effective recruitment, mentoring, supervision, and evaluation of assistants and volunteers.
• Clear expectations for staff roles, responsibilities, and professional conduct.
• Staff compliance with all certification, training, and professional learning requirements.
• Positive working relationships among staff and other school personnel.

Communication & Relationships

• Clear, proactive, and professional communication with students, families, and administrators.
• Adherence to district communication protocols and timely dissemination of program information.
• Constructive handling of concerns, questions, and conflict.
• Positive representation of the program within the school and community.

Operations, Compliance & Organization

• Full compliance with district policies, applicable local/state/regional/national sponsoring organization bylaws, regulations, and safety mandates.
• Timely completion of eligibility, consent, and required documentation.
• Organized and efficient management of schedules, practices, performances/contests, and logistics.
• Responsible stewardship of equipment, uniforms, facilities, and budgeted resources.

Program Growth & Sustainability

• Evidence of long-term program planning and continuous improvement.
• Appropriate and compliant offseason and summer development opportunities.
• Alignment and collaboration with high school and youth programs.
• Participation in professional learning and commitment to ongoing growth.

Competitive Performance

• Preparation of teams to compete with effort, discipline, and citizenship.
• Competitive growth and progress over time relative to program context.
• Use of performance outcomes as one of several indicators—not the sole measure—of success.

Acknowledgement

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work expected of individuals assigned to this position. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and may be modified by the District as needed.

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, religion, military status ancestry, genetic information (collectively, "Protected Classes"), or any other legally protected category, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.