Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
Posted: 29-Apr-25
Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: 95,000 - 115,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Required Education:
Please apply online at chadwickschool.org. Please click on the menu in the top right-hand corner, then click on employment.
Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Program Director
Chadwick School
Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
Chadwick School is an independent, K-12, coeducational day school dedicated to academic excellence, the development of exemplary character, and self-discovery through experience. A highly educated faculty and staff bring out the best in the talented student body through active learning, challenging academics, one-on-one mentoring, unparalleled global opportunities, nationally distinguished outdoor education and community service programs, outstanding athletic opportunities, and award-winning visual and performing arts.
The core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, fairness, and compassion are widely shared and fostered daily in classrooms, during co-curricular activities, and through the camaraderie of this close-knit community.
Located on a beautiful, 45-acre hilltop campus on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County, Chadwick enrolls over 850 students drawn from more than 45 Southern California communities.
Job Title: Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Program Director
Division/Department: K-12
Reports To: Director of Teaching and Learning
Location: Palos Verdes, CA
Level/Grade: K-12
Type of position/FLSA: Full-time Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Program Director leads the vision, strategy, and implementation of Chadwick’s K–12 Innovation and Design program, with an expanded focus on entrepreneurship. This position champions interdisciplinary thinking, design-based learning, real-world experiences, and entrepreneurial mindsets that prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
The director likely teaches two Upper School courses focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, currently housed within Social Studies. They also serve as a cross-divisional leader, supporting K-12 Makerspace teachers, computer science faculty, and co-curricular program leaders, managing Innovation and Design learning spaces, and advancing experiential programming grounded in real-world application.
A central aspect of this role is the development and oversight of a robust mentorship and internship program for students. This includes building partnerships with external organizations and professionals to connect classroom learning with authentic challenges and career exploration opportunities.
K–12 Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Leadership
- Teach 1-2 Upper School courses that incorporate design and entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, emphasizing problem-solving, creativity, and real-world application.
- Support the K-12 Innovation and Design teacher, computer science teachers, co-curricular faculty, and Innovation and Design part-time faculty through observations, feedback, and facilitation of meetings to promote collaboration and growth.
- Ensure robust, coherent curriculum development across Innovation and Design, Entrepreneurship, and Computer Science offerings across divisions; strategically integrate high-quality entrepreneurship education into the program over time.
- Oversee Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship co-curriculars, including robotics.
- Oversee development of additional programming, such as student design challenges.
- Oversee the management of learning spaces and systems within the Innovation and Design building.
- Manage program budgets.
- Over time, lead professional development and support faculty in designing learning experiences grounded in real-world contexts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Entrepreneurship Mentorship and Internship Program
- Design and implement a dynamic Upper School mentorship and internship program, aligned with the school’s mission and experiential learning goals.
- Cultivate partnerships with professionals, companies, and nonprofit organizations to provide students with meaningful real-world learning opportunities.
- Leverage Chadwick’s alumni and parent network as a key resource for building internship, mentorship, and project-based experiences; partner with the Advancement and Alumni Office to support outreach and relationship-building.
- Develop structures and systems for student reflection, goal setting, and skill development within the program.
REQUIRED AND PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCES, AND SKILLS
- Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of two years of K–12 teaching experience, ideally with a background in innovation, entrepreneurship, design, or experiential learning.
- Proven leadership experience in program development and cross-divisional collaboration.
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills to support faculty and student growth.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in curriculum and program design.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with students, families, faculty, and external partners.
- Passion for helping students connect their learning to the real world and take initiative as creative problem-solvers.
Compensation:
Anticipated base compensation is $95,000 - $115,000 based on credentials and experience. The position will begin August 2025.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT
- Required to lift and carry up to a maximum of 25 lbs., in a correct manner consistent with the appropriate training provided by the School.
- Occasionally required to use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, touch and use tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, bend, stoop, twist, lift, reach, push, pull, grasp, balance, kneel, crouch, crawl, grasp, talk, hear, and walk during the course of employment.
- Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
- May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.
- May be required to sit while operating word processing equipment for approximately 6-8 hours daily, repetitive motion for typing and other keystroke needs.
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot, or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
CLEARANCES
Required Screenings: TB assessment Clearances: Livescan background check
Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the position.