Organizer Information
Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit photography education organization based in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in the early 1980s as the Exposure School of Photography, later renamed the Northwest Center for Photography, before A.K. (Alin) Shethar purchased and renamed it Photographic Center Northwest in 1988, serving as its President until 1999. The organization became an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) in 1996 and relocated in 1997 to a renovated 1920s ambulance building in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. PCNW is licensed in the State of Washington under Chapter 28C.10 RCW and maintains a partnership with Seattle University for BFA students. The organization serves thousands of people annually through its Certificate in Fine Art Photography, classes, workshops, free exhibitions, public programs, and publicly accessible darkrooms and digital labs, with a mission centered on teaching lifelong learning and creativity through the photographic arts.
Title & Description
Education & Programs Director
Photographic Center Northwest is seeking a full-time Education & Programs Director to join its leadership team. The role works collaboratively with the Executive Director and Registrar to oversee PCNW's education programming, establishing curriculum and long-term strategies to maintain PCNW's relevance and leadership as an educational institution dedicated to photography. Current education programs include the Certificate in Fine Art Photography (a 3-to-5-year program), classes, and workshops. The Director develops and plans quarterly course offerings, supports faculty and student retention and growth, and develops administrative structures and strategies in collaboration with the Registrar to ensure adherence to accreditation requirements. The role is also responsible for managing adjunct faculty, developing pedagogical strategies, and identifying key technologies and equipment resources for PCNW's labs and classrooms in alignment with curriculum.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time
- Contract Type: Salaried position (not otherwise specified as fixed-term or permanent in the source)
- Salary: $80,000–$85,000, DOE (depending on experience)
- Reports To: Executive Director
- Department / Programme: Education programming, working alongside the Registrar
- Working Hours: 35-hour work week, Monday–Friday, with occasional evening and weekend events required; opportunity to work from home but must maintain weekly in-office days
- Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Position & Tasks
- Education Programming & Curriculum Development
- Develops long-term strategy for classes, workshops, and Certificate Program expansion reflecting contemporary technology, equipment, and trends serving a growing student body
- Plans and schedules quarterly course offerings and works with the marketing team on promotion
- Organizational Leadership
- Collaborates with the Executive Director, key staff, and board members to advance PCNW's long-term goals, position PCNW as a national school, and grow its reputation as a thought-leader in photographic education
- Supports efforts to increase and diversify the students and artists PCNW serves
- Artistic Direction
- Plans and oversees public programs that support both education programs and exhibitions, including masterclasses, artist lectures, panel discussions, and other professional development workshops
- Faculty Management
- Manages and evaluates 25+ adjunct faculty on a quarterly basis
- Oversees instructor recruitment, orientation, and onboarding
- Responsible for ongoing communication, evaluation, and professional development of faculty
- Administrative Management
- Establishes protocols to effectively administer PCNW's programs and mission
- Oversees accreditation with NASAD, Washington State licensing with WTEB, and the partnership with Seattle University
- Develops and implements policies and structures supporting PCNW's adherence to accreditation requirements, fostering a rigorous learning environment for students and faculty
Categories
- Photography Education
- Arts Administration
- Curriculum Development
- Faculty Management
- Nonprofit Leadership
- Museum & School Studies
- Public Programming
Eligibility
- Minimum 3–5 years of administrative experience, preferably in higher education, including management of personnel, contractors, and partnerships
- Minimum 3–5 years of education program development experience, preferably in photography or the arts
- Project management skills, including setting goals, identifying action items and responsibilities, engaging team members, creating and meeting deadlines, and adapting when necessary
- Comfort working with different communities with sensitivity to their background and relationship with the organization
- Commitment to advancing DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility) work at PCNW, with an understanding of the role inequities play in society
- Preferred but not mandatory: teaching experience
- The organization notes that applicants who have some but not all of the listed experience, and are looking to grow with the team, are encouraged to apply
Program Benefits
- Salary: $80,000–$85,000, DOE
- Health insurance, including vision and dental
- Generous paid time off and holidays, available after a 90-day trial period
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Free use of PCNW facilities
- Free tuition in PCNW classes and workshops
- Parking pass
- Pre-taxed Orca (public transit) card
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter
- Resume
How to Apply?
Submit a cover letter and resume to opportunities@pcnw.org with the subject line "Education Director"
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 July 2026
- Interviews: August 2026
- Anticipated Start Date: September 2026
Location
900 12th Ave, Seattle, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- PCNW is an accredited institutional member of NASAD and is licensed in the State of Washington under Chapter 28C.10 RCW
- Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals are encouraged to apply
- PCNW is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or any sensory, mental, or physical disability
- Questions about the role can be directed to opportunities@pcnw.org