INTERNAL POSTING: Senior School Performing Arts Department Head

West Point Grey Academy is inviting internal applications for the role of Senior School Performing Arts Department Head. This is a three-year term position, with opportunity to continue.

Impact of the Role: 

At WPGA, Department Heads are three-year terms, with opportunities to continue in the role. Department heads are subject-matter experts, collaborative leaders, and thoughtful mentors who contribute meaningfully to the instructional leadership of the school.

The Senior School Performing Arts Department Head supports a diverse and dynamic program that includes Drama, Stagecraft, Musical Theatre, Strings, Music, and Choir. This role balances curriculum leadership, performance coordination, and team support, ensuring that both classroom learning and co-curricular productions are thoughtfully aligned and well supported.

This is a highly relational role that involves working closely with colleagues, students, and leadership to sustain a vibrant and inclusive performing arts culture. 

All WPGA Faculty:

• Provide future‑focused programs and personalized learning experiences that recognize each student’s strengths, needs, and potential
• Design and sustain inspirational learning environments that foster curiosity, collaboration, inclusion, and joyful engagement
• Build strong relationships within the school community and strengthen our connection to local and global communities through positive culture, partnership, and service to others
• Place student wellbeing at the heart of teaching, learning, and decision-making
• Inspire joy in learning and model enthusiasm, care, and optimism each day
  

In addition to your regular duties, as a Department Head, you'll be directly involved in:

Leading the Performing Arts Department

• Providing instructional leadership across Performing Arts disciplines (Drama, Music (Band, Strings, etc.), Musical Theatre, Stagecraft, Choir), ensuring alignment with the BC Arts Education curriculum and a cohesive student experience across Grades 8-12
• Working with the Vice Principal of Teaching & Learning and Senior School leadership to coordinate departmental priorities, scheduling, and program development
  
• Collaborating with the Senior School Music Production Coordinator to support performance showcase opportunities for all students
• Acting in coordination with the Operations & Events Supervisor and the Junior School Performing Arts Department Head to ensure programmed events are well balanced within the school calendar

Curricular & Program Development

• Coordinating ongoing curriculum review and development across multiple disciplines, supporting coherence and progression across the Senior School
• Supporting colleagues in designing engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences
• Maintaining a thoughtful balance between artistic exploration, technical skill development, and student voice

Performance & Production Coordination

• Supporting colleagues through mentorship, coordination, and ongoing professional dialogue
• Facilitating department meetings that are purposeful, collaborative, and focused on student learning and program coherence
• Working with other Department Heads and Senior School leadership to contribute to broader instructional planning

Operations & Stewardship

• Supporting planning and oversight of departmental resources (equipment, instruments, costumes, sets, and technical infrastructure)
  
• Following budget process, as set out by the Director of Finance
  • Working with department members to contribute to budget planning and responsible resource use
• Ensuring all risk policies are understood and followed by colleagues and students in support of safe and fun experiential learning opportunities
• Supporting clear communication across departmental programming, events, and timelines
• Supporting regular multi-department co-curricular reviews to balance calendar commitments of all Senior School departments.
  

About You

I understand that...

• Leading Performing Arts involves both artistic leadership and practical coordination
  
• Performance work is highly collaborative and often time-intensive
• Supporting colleagues requires flexibility, empathy, and clear communication
  
• Balancing ambition, creativity, and sustainability is essential in a performance-based program

I bring experience in…

• Teaching in one or more Performing Arts disciplines
• Supporting or contributing to productions, performances, or showcases
• Collaborating with colleagues on complex, multi-faceted initiatives
• Contributing positively to department and school culture

I am able to...

• Lead with clarity, organization, and a collaborative mindset
• Support colleagues across a range of disciplines, approaches, and experience levels
• Coordinate complex timelines and events with attention to both detail and people
• Communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and families
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for student creativity and expression

I am becoming more...

• Reflective and intentional in my leadership practice
  
• Confident in navigating the balance between artistic vision and practical constraints
• Attuned to the interpersonal dynamics that support strong, collaborative teams
• Mindful of my own wellbeing and sustainability, both for myself and others, in performance-driven environments

In my work, I want to…

• Support a vibrant and inclusive Performing Arts program
  
• Help colleagues and students do their best creative work
• Contribute to a joyful, collaborative, and values-centred school culture
• Feel connected and purposeful in a shared, creative community

About Us

Founded in 1996, West Point Grey Academy is an independent co-educational day school in Vancouver, British Columbia. Set on 18 acres with sweeping views of English Bay and the North Shore mountains, we offer future-focused programs to approximately 940 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Our Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief letter of interest and responses to 4 competency-based questions. These responses will support a fair, consistent, and reflective assessment process.

The deadline for submission is June 15, 2026.