Director, Academy in Santa Monica, California at John Paul Mitchell Systems

Who We Are

John Paul Mitchell Systems (“JPMS”) is recognized worldwide for developing and marketing innovative hair and skin care products since 1980. We’ve been serving the professional beauty industry with salon-quality hair care products, styling tools and professional hair color through our family of brands including Paul Mitchell, MITCH, Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell Tools, Neuro, The Demi, Paul Mitchell the Color, Blonde, and Color XG.

We were the first professional hair care company to take a stand against animal testing and continue our strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally. Sustainability has always been a priority, and we are committed to making our company operations climate neutral to preserve the beauty of the world around us.

Who You Are:

You are a skilled and enthusiastic, high-performing professional who is passionate about hair care and wants to positively contribute to the growth of our iconic brand as well as to our people first culture.

About the Role

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.

What You will Do:

Academy Leadership & Operational Excellence

• 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

Corporate Facility Management & Brand Standards

• 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

Guest Experience, Stakeholder Relations & Event Coordination

• 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

Artist, Educator & Program Leadership

• 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

Curriculum, Program & Content Development

• 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

Class, Workshop & Event Execution

• 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

Budget, Resources & Operational Accountability

• 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

Marketing, Enrollment & Creative Production Support

• 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

Inclusive Education Delivery & Continuous Improvement

• 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

Required Qualifications:

Skills:

• 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

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required

Experience:

• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

Skills:

• 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

Education:

• Licensed Cosmetologist and/or Barber strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, business, marketing, communications, hospitality, or a related field preferred

Experience:

• Experience managing a professional beauty academy, advanced education center, corporate training facility, salon education space, or large-scale event environment

We are eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. If you think you would be a good fit for the position and our company, we invite you to apply.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, on-site position based in Santa Monica, CA with regular presence in the corporate facility
• Travel required based on Academy, Education, Events, and business needs
• Evening, weekend, and extended hours may be required to support Academy programming, events, productions, launches, and guest experiences
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, guest-facing, hands-on education environment with shifting priorities and operational demands
• Lengthy periods of standing

Competitive Compensation:

• The expected base salary range for this position is $125,000 to $135,000. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including geographic location, experience, skills, and education.
• Discretionary Bonus Plan: This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan, based on personal performance and company results.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: In addition to base salary, JPMS offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, discretionary vacation time, and more.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment.