EMPLOYMENT

Location: Washington, DCDepartment: Administration / Office of the PrincipalReports To: Principal/Head of School or DesigneeEmployment Status: Part-Time, 12-Month | ExemptSalary Range: $80,000 and up,(annually), increased commensurate with qualifications and experience.THE OPPORTUNITYDuke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) seeks an experienced, collaborative, and solutions-oriented attorney to serve as its School Legal Counsel. The position serves as a primary internal legal advisor, providing proactive and strategic counsel to school leadership on matters involving education and employment law, Title IX and civil rights, labor relations, student rights, governance, contracts, policy, investigations, intellectual property, and organizational risk.The Legal Counsel will work collaboratively with the Principal/Head of School, Human Resources, administrators, arts leadership, student support personnel, DCPS, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project (DESAP), governing leadership, and external counsel to promote legally compliant, equitable, consistent, and student-centered practices.DESA seeks an attorney who understands the distinctive legal considerations of a K–12 arts education environment and can translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance while supporting student safety, artistic excellence, employee fairness, accountability, and institutional integrity.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESLegal Counsel, Compliance & GovernanceAdvise school leadership on federal and District of Columbia education, employment, labor, civil rights, student, contractual, governance, and administrative matters. Review and draft policies, contracts, memoranda of understanding, vendor and partnership agreements, releases, and other legal documents. Advise regarding student rights, discipline, confidentiality, safety, discrimination, harassment, due process, and other sensitive matters. Assist with administrative complaints, agency inquiries, subpoenas, records requests, litigation holds, and organizational risk. Provide legal guidance concerning DESA's relationships with DCPS, DESAP, and governmental, educational, artistic, and community partners Coordinate with external counsel when specialized representation or litigation support is required.Title IX & Civil RightsProvide legal guidance regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, Section 504, ADA, the DC Human Rights Act, and other applicable civil rights requirements. Advise on complaint response, supportive measures, grievance procedures, retaliation protections, confidentiality, investigations, documentation, and record keeping. Conduct or provide legal oversight of prompt, thorough, impartial, and well-documented Title IX investigations, as appropriate. Review investigative reports, findings, notices, and related documentation for legal sufficiency. Provide or coordinate Title IX and civil rights compliance training.Employment & Labor LawIn partnership with the Director of Human Resources, advise on employee relations, workplace investigations, discipline, grievances, accommodations, leave, performance, employmentagreements, and separation matters.Provide guidance regarding Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA, the DC Human Rights Act, educational labor unions, collective bargaining agreements, employee representation rights, grievances, disciplinary matters, and labor-management relations.Intellectual Property, Trademarks & Artists' WorkAdvise DESA regarding copyright, trademark, licensing, permissions, releases, rights of publicity, and intellectual property associated with an arts-focused educational institution. Provide guidance regarding the protection, registration, licensing, and authorized use of DESA's name, logos, trademarks, branding, and institutional identity. Advise on ownership, reproduction, exhibition, publication, recording, licensing, and commercial use of student, faculty, staff, guest artist, and commissioned creative works. Review artist agreements, commissions, licenses, performance agreements, media releases, permissions, and intellectual-property provisions. Provide guidance regarding visual art, music, choreography, theatrical works, photography, film, digital media, performances, recordings, merchandise, social media, and promotional materials. Partner with specialized intellectual-property counsel when necessary.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSJuris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school. Active membership and good standing with the District of Columbia Bar at appointment and throughout employment. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible legal experience in education, employment, labor, civil rights, government, nonprofit, administrative, intellectual property, or related law. Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience with Title IX, including investigations and regulatory compliance. Knowledge of District and federal employment, education, civil rights, due process, confidentiality, and nondiscrimination requirements. Experience drafting and reviewing policies, contracts, agreements, investigative reports, legal memoranda, and formal correspondence. Working knowledge of intellectual property issues involving copyright, trademark, licensing, permissions, and creative works. Exceptional legal judgment, integrity, discretion, analytical ability, and written and oral communication skills.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSSeven or more years of relevant legal experience and prior experience as school counsel, general counsel, education attorney, government attorney, labor/employment attorney, or legal advisor to an educational or arts organization are preferred.DESA particularly values candidates with experience in K–12 education; Title IX; educational unions and collective bargaining; complex employee and student investigations; arts and entertainment law; copyright and trademark matters; licensing; artist agreements; and intellectual property involving student and professional creative works.Familiarity with DCPS policies and administrative structures and the governance, operational, employment, and legal relationship among DESA, DCPS, and DESAP is highly desirable.COMPENSATION & BENEFITSThe salary range for this part-time, 12-month position starts at $80,000+ annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.DESA offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, paid leave, holidays, and professional learning and development opportunities. Specific benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.HOW TO APPLYQualified candidates must submit:1. Letter of InterestDescribe your interest in serving Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the professional experiences that prepare you for this position.2. Current RésuméInclude relevant education, legal experience, professional licensure, leadership, Title IX, labor/employment, and compliance experience.3. Written Response Maximum 1,000 WordsPlease address the following:Understanding DESA: Based on your research, what do you believe is one of the most significant legal, compliance, governance, or organizational challenges facing Duke EllingtonSchool of the Arts today, and why?Your Approach: How would you contribute your legal expertise and judgment to this body of work while helping DESA remain legally compliant and in good standing? Describe how youwould collaborate with school leadership, Human Resources, DCPS, DESAP, and other stakeholders.Your First 90 Days: Identify your three highest legal and compliance priorities during your first 90 days and briefly explain why each should be prioritized.The response should demonstrate the candidate's understanding of DESA's unique educational and organizational environment, legal judgment, problem-solving ability, collaborative approach, and capacity to provide practical and strategic counsel.All application materials must be submitted to desahr@ellingtonarts.org for full consideration.End Date: October 21, 2026EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYDuke Ellington School of the Arts is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining an educational and workplace environment free from unlawful discrimination,harassment, and retaliation in accordance with applicable federal and District of Columbia laws.

Location: Washington, DCDepartment: Finance & AdministrationReports To: Principal/Head of School or DesigneeEmployment Status: Full-Time, 12-Month | ExemptClassification: Administrative LeadershipSalary Range: $80,000 and up,(annually), increased commensurate with qualifications and experience.THE OPPORTUNITYDuke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide executive leadership and oversight of the School's financial operations.The CFO will serve as DESA's senior financial leader and principal advisor to the Principal/Head of School on fiscal strategy, budgeting, financial operations, compliance, internal controls, grants and restricted funds, procurement, audit readiness, and organizational risk.This position requires a leader who can successfully navigate DESA's distinctive financial and organizational environment, including multiple funding sources and the respective financial roles and responsibilities of DESA, District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project (DESAP), and the Ellington Fund.The successful candidate will combine exceptional financial expertise and integrity with strategic thinking, strong communication, collaborative leadership, and an appreciation for the distinctive financial and operational needs of a pre-professional arts education environment.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Financial LeadershipServe as senior financial advisor to the Principal/Head of School and executive leadership. Lead financial planning, forecasting, analysis, and development of short- and long-term fiscal strategies. Align financial resources with DESA's academic, artistic, operational, workforce, and strategic priorities. Provide leadership with clear, timely financial information and recommendations to support organizational decision-making. Identify emerging fiscal, operational, and compliance risks and recommend preventive or corrective action.Budget, Accounting & Financial OperationsLead development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the School's annual operating budget. Oversee financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing, reimbursements, reconciliations, cash-flow monitoring, and related financial activities within the School's authority. Monitor revenue, expenditures, budget variances, and financial performance and recommend corrective action when necessary. Establish appropriate segregation of duties, authorization protocols, documentation standards, and internal financial controls. Maintain complete, accurate, transparent, and audit-ready financial records.Compliance, Audit & Internal ControlsEstablish and continuously evaluate internal controls designed to safeguard institutional resources. Ensure compliance with applicable federal and District requirements, accounting standards, funding restrictions, procurement requirements, and institutional policies. Coordinate internal and external audits, financial reviews, monitoring activities, and corrective-action plans. Develop clear financial policies, procedures, approval authorities, and accountability structures. Promote an organizational culture of fiscal responsibility, transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability. Grants, Restricted Funds & Institutional PartnershipsProvide financial oversight of grants, philanthropic resources, restricted funds, and special-purpose funding. Ensure expenditures comply with grant requirements, donor restrictions, and applicable regulations. Coordinate financial planning and reconciliation across DESA, DCPS, DESAP, the Ellington Fund, and other institutional partners, as appropriate. Clarify and document financial responsibilities, funding sources, expenditures, contractual obligations, and financial authority across organizational relationships. Identify gaps, duplication, inconsistencies, and risks associated with cross-organizational financial processes.Procurement, Contracts & Vendor ManagementOversee financial aspects of procurement, purchasing, contracts, vendor relationships, and major expenditures. Ensure required competitive procurement and approval procedures are followed. Review contracts and agreements for budget availability, financial impact, and institutional risk. Partner with School Legal Counsel on contractual matters presenting significant financial, legal, or compliance considerations.Arts & Program Financial ManagementPartner with academic and arts leadership to support responsible budgeting for performances, productions, exhibitions, guest artists, equipment, technical requirements, costumes, travel, and special programming. Develop financial processes responsive to the distinctive needs of a pre-professional arts environment while maintaining strong fiscal controls. Evaluate the financial feasibility and sustainability of programs, productions, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.Human Resources & Workforce PlanningIn partnership with the Director of Human Resources, support workforce and compensation budgeting, reconcile staffing allocations and personnel expenditures, evaluate the fiscal impact of staffing decisions, and ensure appropriate financial controls related to salaries, benefits, stipends, supplemental assignments, contractors, and other personnel costs.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible finance, accounting, budgeting, or fiscal management experience, including leadership responsibility. Demonstrated experience managing complex organizational budgets and multiple funding sources. Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, forecasting, reconciliation, internal controls, and financial analysis. Experience with grants, restricted funds, procurement, contracts, audits, and compliance. Experience developing financial policies, procedures, controls, and accountability systems. Advanced proficiency with financial management systems, spreadsheets, data analysis, and reporting tools. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to financial and non-financial audiences. Exceptional integrity, discretion, analytical judgment, organizational ability, and communication skills.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSDESA strongly prefers candidates with a master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), or a related field and/or professional certification such as CPA, CGFM, SFO/CSBO, or a comparable credential.Competitive candidates will demonstrate significant senior financial leadership experience in K–12 public education, government, nonprofit organizations, higher education, arts or cultural organizations, or similarly complex mission-driven institutions.Experience with District of Columbia and/or DCPS financial, procurement, budgeting, and administrative processes; nonprofit or fund accounting; grants and philanthropic funding; external audits; financial systems implementation; and performing or visual arts financial management is highly desirable.Familiarity with the unique financial and operational relationship among DESA, DCPS, DESAP, and the Ellington Fund is strongly preferred.COMPENSATION & BENEFITSThe salary range for this full-time, 12-month position starts at $80,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.DESA offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include health and wellness benefits, retirement benefits, paid leave, holidays, and professional learning and development opportunities.HOW TO APPLYQualified candidates must submit:1. Letter of InterestDescribe your interest in Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the financial leadership experiences that prepare you to serve DESA.2. Current RésuméInclude relevant education, professional credentials, financial leadership experience, and significant areas of fiscal responsibility.3. Written Response Maximum 1,000 WordsDESA operates within a distinctive financial and organizational environment involving the School, DCPS, DESAP, the Ellington Fund, public resources, philanthropic support, and extensive academic and arts programming.If selected as Chief Financial Officer, what would be your three highest financial priorities during your first 90 days?In your response, address:How you would assess DESA's current financial condition, processes, internal controls, and potential areas of risk; How you would understand and document the respective financial roles and responsibilities of DESA, DCPS, DESAP, and the Ellington Fund; and How you would establish collaborative relationships with School leadership, Human Resources, Legal Counsel, the Ellington Fund, academic and arts departments, and other stakeholders while maintaining appropriate financial controls and accountability.The response should demonstrate your financial judgment, analytical ability, understanding of organizational risk, collaborative leadership, and commitment to responsible stewardship of educational and artistic resources.All application materials must be submitted to desahr@ellingarts.org for full consideration.End Date: October 21, 2026EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYDuke Ellington School of the Arts is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining an educational and workplace environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in accordance with applicablefederal and District of Columbia laws