Education Manager

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Seattle, WA • Starting Immediately

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is October 13th, 2025

About Pottery Northwest

Founded in 1966, Pottery Northwest is Seattle’s preeminent non-profit ceramics organization that promotes innovation, arts excellence, and education with a mission of fostering an inclusive community centered in clay. Our nationally renowned ceramics studio offers vibrant programming to over 2,000 students each year. Artists from around the world come to Pottery Northwest in the spirit of artistic dialogue and as a formative step in their careers. We believe clay is for everyone and are committed to creating intentional space for people to explore their creativity and personal growth.

Position Summary

The Education Manager works collaboratively with the Programs Director to develop, coordinate, and deliver robust ceramics programming, including: adult classes, workshops, clay nights, and other ceramic-centered events. We are seeking someone passionate about developing adaptive, people-centered programming rooted in racial equity and social justice, ultimately advancing Pottery Northwest’s mission of fostering an inclusive community centered around clay.

Pottery Northwest prioritizes a collaborative, team-oriented culture where everyone has a high level of ownership and performance in their roles, and where we care for ourselves, each other, and our community. We are a flexible workplace and place a high priority on the health and well-being of our staff.

 

Hours, Location, & Conditions

Reports to: Programs Director
Location: Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
Type: Full-time, permanent, nonexempt
Salary: $55,000-$60,000/year DOE
Remote/On-site: 4 days in office, 1 day remote per week

Shift Times: This role operates Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Required onsite days are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Thursdays can be remote days after the first two weeks. There will occasionally be evening and weekend work required.

Benefits: 

  • Open (unlimited) PTO to be used for vacation and sick leave 

  • 13 paid floating holidays

  • 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance 

  • 401(k) retirement plan opt-in 

  • Monthly commuter stipend

  • Annual professional development stipend

  • Complimentary classes, workshops, and studio usage 

 

Duties & Responsibilities

Educational Program Management (75%) 

  • Oversees day-to-day operations and effective functioning of educational programs.

  • Lead the development and scheduling of quarterly educational programming, including: classes, workshops, and other events.

  • Project and create quarterly calendars and deadlines.

  • Evaluate and collect evidence of student impact using surveys, observation forms, interviews, photos, and videos.

  • In collaboration with the Programs Director, assess new instructor applications, conduct instructor interviews, and lead the onboarding of new instructors.

  • Provide guidance to instructors on the planning and implementation of lesson plans + curriculum.

  • Build and maintain a current understanding of trends in ceramics & ceramics education.

  • Serve as primary contact for class-related communications, including monitoring the public-facing info email inbox, answering phones, responding, and routing inquiries accordingly.

  • Work in collaboration with the studio managers to develop inspiring and competitive programming in our studio.

  • Work with the studio managers on the development of new studio offerings.

  • Build quarterly classes, populate the online registration system, and monitor class and workshop enrollment.

  • Coordinate with instructors regarding days off and find substitutes as needed.

  • Coordinate with finance staff to ensure accurate instructor pay.

  • Schedule and staff private events.

  • Ensure our educational programs are inclusive of all identities and accessible to learners at all levels.

  • Manage and assign tuition assistance applications and distribution to recipients.

  • Collaborate with the development team to ensure student data is collected and correctly entered into our systems.

  • Provide support to the Programs Director for the BIPOC Instructor Training Program.

  • Produce weekly enrollment reports that reflect enrollment numbers and financial metrics.

  • Collaborate with the Programs Director to oversee monthly Community Clay Nights and other on-site events.

  • Assist the Programs Director in staffing off-site events and satellite programming.

Community Relationships (10%)

  • Help maintain mutually enriching partnerships with other organizations, schools, and businesses in the community.

  • Assist with sustaining relationships with donors and volunteers by helping with mailings, community engagement opportunities, and other creative mechanisms.

  • Assist with the planning and execution of fundraising and stewardship events, including the annual Pottery Northwest fundraising event/gala.

Shared Leadership (10%)

  • Produce an annual work plan with metrics tied to overall organizational goals.

  • Participate in team check-ins, weekly staff meetings, and planning and support for Pottery NW events.

  • Identify and participate in professional development opportunities that advance skills for the role.

  • Participate in strategic planning and budgeting efforts.

  • Schedule and lead tours of the studio.

  • Assist students with studio store purchases. 

  • Collaborate with other departments to ensure consistent and adequate studio coverage daily.

General Administrative Support (5%)

  • Answer phone calls, manage public email correspondence, and sort incoming/outgoing mail.

  • Maintain the public-facing events calendar and various internal shared staff calendars.

  • Help maintain and order staff office supplies.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All Pottery NW employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Technology: At Pottery Northwest we use the following hardware, operating systems, and databases: Apple’s Mac computers/operating systems, the Google Suite, Monday.com, DonorPerfect, and Shopify.

 

Our Ideal Candidate

Values alignment:

  • Deep and demonstrated commitment to DEIA, racial and gender equity, and understanding the role inequities play in our society.

  • Passionate about maintaining an adaptive, people-centered studio grounded in fostering an inclusive community around clay, with the highest priority placed on creating and ensuring everyone has access to learning and enjoying ceramics.

  • Values sharing power, trusting each other, being transparent, celebrating small successes, integrity, and cross-cultural respect and sensitivity.

Qualifications:

  • 3-4 years of direct experience managing or supporting arts, cultural, or nonprofit programming that is open to the public.

  • Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan out project steps, create and meet deadlines, manage schedules, communicate through challenges, and stay highly organized with competing priorities and information.

  • Interest in/connection to the ceramic arts.

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and an ability to develop trust and maintain deep relationships with a variety of diverse students, partners, and community members.

  • Demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, and understanding the role inequities play in our society.

  • Demonstrated customer service skills, including approachability, understanding, attentiveness, empathy, and positivity.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to learn and adapt to new software..

 

Application Instructions: 

Pottery Northwest is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to be a place where DEIA builds the foundation for people. Women, non-gender-binary/trans individuals, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and people with disabilities are STRONGLY encouraged to apply. 

To apply, submit a completed application. We do not want a cover letter–please just fill the application out in its entirety. Email questions to Jasmine@potterynorthwest.org. 

Apply here


Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is October 13th, 2025