Director, Academy

John Paul Mitchell Systems•Santa Monica, CA

2d•$125,000 - $135,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Academy Operations & Education Programs is responsible for the strategic leadership, daily operations, guest experience, educational programming, and long-term growth of the JPMS Academy located within the corporate facility. This role ensures the Academy operates as a premier destination for advanced professional education, brand immersion, creative inspiration, technical excellence, distributor engagement, artist development, and internal partner experiences. The Director leads the planning and execution of Academy programs, manages the physical learning environment, coordinates with cross-functional teams, and ensures every class, event, production, and guest interaction reflects JPMS standards, values, and commitment to the professional beauty industry. This role works 3-5 days out of our Academy in Santa Monica and requires up to 10% travel.

Requirements

Strategic and operational leadership of a high-profile corporate education, academy, training center, salon education, or professional learning environment
Strong understanding of salon professionals, distributors, educators, artistry, technical education, product knowledge, and the professional beauty industry
Ability to manage schedules, budgets, facilities, supplies, people, vendors, guest needs, and multiple simultaneous classes or events
Excellent cross-functional collaboration with Education, Artistic, Marketing, Sales, Creative, Social, Facilities, IT, Security, and Operations teams
Clear, professional communication skills, including planning meetings, educator briefs, stakeholder updates, guest relations, and executive-ready recommendations
Ability to translate business priorities, product launches, trends, and technical education needs into compelling Academy experiences
Calm, proactive, and resourceful approach to last-minute changes, facility issues, model challenges, guest requests, schedule shifts, or production needs
High school diploma or GED required
7+ years of professional beauty industry leadership, education, academy, training center, salon operations, or related experience
5+ years of experience developing, managing, or executing professional education programs, events, workshops, curriculum, or training center operations

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting photo, video, social, digital education, product launch, or creative production projects within an active training environment
Familiarity with instructional design, curriculum development, education measurement, and adult learning best practices
Experience partnering with international education teams or global academy partners preferred
Licensed Cosmetologist and/or Barber strongly preferred
Bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, business, marketing, communications, hospitality, or a related field preferred
Experience managing a professional beauty academy, advanced education center, corporate training facility, salon education space, or large-scale event environment

Responsibilities

Provide overall leadership for the Academy as a corporate education destination and ensure the facility is organized, guest-ready, brand-aligned, and equipped to support hands-on education, demonstrations, meetings, media production, distributor experiences, and internal events
Own the Academy calendar, class schedule, space utilization, operational workflows, registration coordination, supplies, model needs, artist preparation, room setup, teardown, and post-event reset processes
Establish clear systems, standards, and workflows that allow the Academy to operate efficiently, consistently, safely, and professionally
Maintain the Academy as a polished, functional, and inspiring extension of the JPMS corporate headquarters
Partner with Facilities, IT, Operations, Creative, Security, and Education teams to ensure classrooms, salon stations, product displays, tools, technology, storage areas, guest areas, and back-of-house spaces are clean, safe, organized, stocked, and ready for use
Anticipate facility needs, resolve operational issues quickly, and uphold corporate protocols related to safety, access, visitor management, equipment use, and professional conduct
Serve as the primary leader and point of contact for Academy experiences, ensuring salon owners, stylists, distributors, educators, artists, models, vendors, and internal guests receive a seamless and elevated experience from inquiry through follow-up
Oversee guest communications, confirmations, hospitality planning, arrival flow, signage, check-in, class support, attendee needs, post-event surveys, and relationship management
Build trust with key stakeholders through clear communication, thoughtful service, and strong follow-through
Lead coordination with Artistic Directors, platform artists, educators, guest facilitators, and internal training partners to ensure each program is well planned, well staffed, and aligned to learning objectives
Clarify expectations for each class or event, including run of show, educator preparation, technical needs, product usage, model requirements, timing, attendee outcomes, and follow-up deliverables
Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to support high-quality education delivery and consistent JPMS standards
Partner with Education, Artistic, Brand, Marketing, Sales, and Creative teams to develop Academy programming that supports JPMS priorities and advances the skills of salon professionals
Oversee creation and refinement of class menus, learning objectives, technical outlines, facilitator guides, class materials, product focus, attendee takeaways, and supporting digital or video content
Ensure curriculum reflects current trends, brand launches, technical excellence, business-building needs, and the evolving expectations of the professional beauty industry
Align with the International Academy in Rome, Italy for cross-collaboration as appropriate
Direct end-to-end planning and execution of Academy classes, hands-on workshops, distributor meetings, internal training, launch education, artist development sessions, business programs, and special events
Manage timelines, agendas, educator briefs, supply lists, product needs, model calls, room layouts, technology, catering or hospitality needs, attendee communication, and day-of execution
Ensure every Academy experience is organized, purposeful, on brand, and designed to deliver measurable value for participants and the business
Manage Academy resources, including budgets, supplies, tools, equipment, product inventory, vendor coordination, educator fees, model costs, and operational expenses
Track resource needs in advance, monitor spending, identify cost efficiencies, and ensure resources are used responsibly while maintaining a premium education experience
Create processes for inventory control, ordering, storage, maintenance, and replacement of Academy tools and materials
Partner with Marketing, Social, Creative, Sales, Distributor Sales Consultants, and Education leadership to promote Academy offerings and drive awareness, attendance, utilization, and engagement
Support class descriptions, promotional copy, launch calendars, social content, email communication, registration assets, and post-event storytelling
Coordinate Academy use for photo shoots, video production, education capture, social content, launch support, and creative projects as directed
Use captured content to support Academy curriculum, promotional storytelling, and future education assets
Ensure Academy programs meet learners at a range of skill levels and create an inclusive, professional, and supportive learning environment
Evaluate attendee feedback, educator input, program performance, operational outcomes, attendance trends, and business priorities to continuously improve curriculum, guest experience, class flow, and business impact
Recommend enhancements that keep the Academy relevant, inspiring, efficient, and aligned with JPMS education strategy