All positions listed are for the National High School Institute, colloquially known as The Cherub Program. The NHSI is located in Evanston at Northwestern University. Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional, and personal development.
More open positions will be posted here in winter of 2026 for summer.
Theater Institute – Associate Director
National High School Institute: This is an approximately 15 hour per week position beginning in February/March (part time through Mid June) and full-time day and evening commitment from June 15 – August 1, 2026. Salary is $12,000 – $15,000 depending on experience.
This position is for the National High School Institute located in Evanston at Northwestern University.
Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional, and personal development.
Pre-program
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Become familiar with program guidelines, procedures and general operations
- Prepare Staff Orientations
- Prepare Student Orientations
- Planning and Creation of Program Documents (Calendars, Orientations Materials, Supply List, Contact Sheets)
- Scheduling Students in Classes, Crews, Field Trips, Special Events
- Work with NHSI Director and Institute Director to prep budget
Day-to-day running of the program
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Schedule Students in Classes, Productions, Field Trips, Special Events
- Prepare agenda and assist in facilitation of daily institute meeting
- Coordinate and troubleshoot space allocation (this includes coordinating when faculty switch classrooms, assisting with technical and space use questions)
- Coordinate the daily printing of course paperwork and delivery to faculty
- Aid Dorm Director with student health appointments as needed
- Create and distribute regular correspondence with Faculty and Staff
- Prepare agenda for weekly faculty meetings, take notes, and distribute to Faculty/Staff
- Maintain Administrative Budget; log and submit receipts to the office
Special Events
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Plan and execute Orientation Breakfast, Orientation Faculty Dinner
- Event Planning for a variety of events including the Finale – work with NHSI office and Wirtz Center Staff to:
- Communicate with venue, faculty/staff
- Coordinate the setup and decoration of the venue
- Coordinate strike
- Supervise purchase of student and faculty gifts
Requirements and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is an experienced educator/artist with extensive administrative experience and management skills and a passion for working with teenagers. Candidate must have a background in theater production. This position is residential from June 22 – August 1, 2026. Room and board are included in compensation.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Theater, Arts Education, Education or Arts Administration, preferably Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience
Experience:
- 3+ years of experience in teaching youth
- 3+years in theater production
- Experience managing and supervising a team.
- Creating and Managing a Budget
- Valid Driver’s License
Qualities:
- Self-Motivated, Creative, Resourceful Educator/Artist
- Strong Work Ethic and Commitment to Teamwork
- Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with a variety of personalities.
- Strong Organizational Skills and Attention to Detail
- Ability to Delegate and Motivate teams
“As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.”
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer
To apply: go to https://hr.northwestern.edu/careers/ click on external applicants and go to job #52639
Please do not call the NHSI office in reference to this position. If you have questions, please email Jennifer.avery@northwestern.edu
NHSI Film Institute – Associate Director
National High School Institute: This is a 10-week summer position, full-time (part-time from end of May through June 22nd) and full time day and evening commitment from June 23 – August 3, 2025. Salary is $8,000 – $10,000 depending on experience.
This position is for the National High School Institute located in Evanston at Northwestern University. Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional, and personal development.
Pre-program
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Prepare Staff Orientations
- Prepare Student Orientations
- Create Program Paperwork (Calendars, Orientations Materials, Covid Guidelines, Contact Sheets)
- Scheduling Students in Classes, Film Crews, Field Trips, Special Events
Day-to-day running of the program
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Schedule Students in Classes, Productions, Field Trips, Special Events
- Prepare agenda and assist in facilitation of daily institute meeting
- Coordinate and troubleshoot space allocation (this includes coordinating when faculty switch classrooms, assisting with technical and space use questions)
- Coordinate the daily printing of course paperwork and delivery to faculty
- Aid Dorm Director with student health appointments as needed
- Create and distribute regular correspondence with Faculty and Staff
- Prepare agenda for weekly faculty meetings, take notes, and distribute to Faculty/Staff
- Maintain Administrative Budget; log and submit receipts to the office
Special Events
Work with Director and Dorm Director to:
- Plan and execute Orientation Breakfast, Orientation Faculty Dinner
- Event Plan the Banquet – worth with NHSI office to:
- Communicate with venue, faculty/staff
- Coordinate the setup and decoration of the venue
- Coordinate strike
- Supervise purchase of student gifts
Requirements and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is an experienced educator/artist with extensive administrative experience and management skills and a passion for working with teenagers. Experience in film production is a plus but not required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Arts Education, Education or Arts Administration, preferably Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience
Experience:
- 2+ years of experience in teaching youth
- 2+years in film production a plus
- Experience managing and supervising a team
- Valid Driver’s License
- Self-Motivated, Creative, Resourceful Educator/Artist
- Strong Work Ethic and Commitment to Teamwork
Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with a variety of personalities.
Strong Organizational Skills and Attention to Detail
To apply: go to https://careers.northwestern.edu
- Go to Job Opening: ID 52715
- Job Posting Title: Temporary NHSI Film Institute: Assistant Director
- Job is open until filled
NHSI Film Institute – Resident Hall Director
National High School Institute: This is a 5-week summer position, full-time (day and evening commitment from June 20 – August 1, 2026) with part-time work beginning March/April of 2026. Position includes room and board. Salary is $8,500.
This position is for the National High School Institute located in Evanston at Northwestern University. Northwestern University seeks to employ a varied and diverse range of dynamic people who understand the importance of our mission and vision. When you consider a temporary opportunity at Northwestern University, you know that you are joining an institution with a deep history of academic, professional, and personal development.
Job Description: The Residence Hall Director is the legal guardian of the students during the summer in the absence of their parents [IN LOCO PARENTIS]. The Residence Hall Director is responsible for the health and well-being of the students. Any issue pertaining to the health and well-being of the students is directly handled by the Residence Hall Director. He/She is also the disciplinarian for any instances occurring outside of the curricular program. As such, the Residence Hall Director must be well-versed in the NHSI’s disciplinary policies and willing to enforce them at all times. TheResidence Hall Director is one of the faces of this program: He/She must be a person who is always modelling responsible behavior for both students and staff. He/She must have great leadership skills. The Residence Hall Director must demonstrate strength in energy, patience, dedication to the history and future of NHSI, Film & Video Division, and a deep understanding of the dedication and commitment of the job.
Beginning in May, the Residence Hall Director organizes logistics of the residence hall. This includes, but is not limited to, setting a summer on-call schedule for the residence hall staff, composing and sending out letters of orientation to the staff, coordinating disciplinary policies and procedures with the Division Director and Administrative Director, preparing welcome packets for the students and staff, administration of residence hall room assignments for students and staff, and conducting the orientation of residence hall staff in collaboration with university residential life offices and procedure.
Show up to campus a day before the staff to pick up printed materials, collect the residence hall keys from the housing office, coordinate the move-in day with the NHSI office (i.e., collect classroom keys and equipment), speak with on-campus liaisons (i.e. housing, housekeeping, and health services).
Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate two “move-in” days; one for the staff, one for the students.
- Run a morning-long residence hall orientation for the staff which serves to train them as resident assistants (RAs).
- Along with the Division Director, serve as direct supervisor to the residence hall staff for the entirety of the summer.
- Administrate the arrival of our 160+ students and deliver all residence hall orientation materials and information to the students on their arrival day.
- Coordinate scheduling and getting students to health service appointments.
- Act as the IN LOCO PARENTIS when it is necessary to accompany students to the emergency room.
- The Residence Hall Director is privy to and responsible for the health history of each student. It is the Residence Hall Director’s responsibility to be knowledgeable on the health needs and issues of any students and to treat those issues with confidentiality.
- Coordinate maintenance needs of the residence hall with the campus Housing Services and the residence hall’s Housekeeping staff.
- Delegate authority and assign tasks when necessary to the residence hall staff.
- Be in direct contact with the parents of students who are having health or disciplinary issues.
- Administrate and delegate the overseeing of a weekly community service.
- Be present at the daily 11:00 am meeting to give residence hall-related news, instruction, and guidance.
- Spend every night of the program sleeping inside the residence hall on the faculty wing. The Residence Hall Director’s room is always accessible via doorbell to all students and staff. He/She is always on call for emergencies.
- Oversee the daily delivery of mail to the students.
Qualifications:
We require a candidate with a college degree, preferably with a focus on Education and/or Social Work. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills as well as leadership experience and a sense of humor. The Residence Hall Director will live in the residence hall from June 23 – August 2nd with the students.
To apply: go to https://careers.northwestern.edu
- Go to Job Opening: ID 52714
- Job Posting Title: Temporary NHSI Film Institute: Assistant Director
- NHSI is accepting applications for this position until March 30, 2026 or until filled
Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage
Under “Search jobs” enter “NHSI”. You will then be able to scroll through available positions, listed by their Job ID Number and Job title. Click the job in which you are interested. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH NORTHWESTERN’S HIRING WEBSITE, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE DESCRIPTION.
As per Northwestern University policy, these positions require a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.
The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.