Employment Opportunities

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.

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 – 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. They are 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

Temporary – NHSI Theatre Arts Core Faculty

Hours: approximately 30 hours per week – full time position

Pay: $3,700 for contract

Campus: Evanston

Start Date: June 23, 2026

End Date: August 1, 2026

National High School Institute: This is a 5-week summer position, full-time day and evening commitment, June 23rd–August 1st, 2026. Salary is $3,700 for the 5-week program.

This position is for the National High School Institute (colloquially known as The Cherub program) located at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. 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 Summary: Day-to-day responsibilities include teaching and supervising students, implementing academic program activities, mentoring undergraduate Faculty Associates, attending staff meetings and helping to address staff and student questions and concerns. The Faculty maintains and fosters high standards of professional conduct, managing the safety and supervision of students through enforcement of NHSI policies and procedures. All candidates must possess and demonstrate an interest in the artistic, academic, social and emotional growth of high school students, serve as mature and positive role models for students, and exhibit a strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork.

Schedule for Core teachers is approximately as follows:

Morning Core Classes occur Monday – Friday 8:30am – 11:10am; afternoon Electives occur 1pm – 5pm Monday – Friday (each faculty member teaches two hours during the elective block).

Responsibilities:

Teaching classes in Acting or Voice and Movement
Electives based on teacher qualifications and interest
Possibly teaching Performance Theory, or Text Analysis
Attend program orientation (June 23 through June 27, 2026)
Attend Weekly Faculty Meetings during 5-week program
Follow all NHSI rules and regulations concerning staff conduct, appropriate dress, program procedures, and other responsibilities as set forth in the staff handbook
Be knowledgeable of administrative policies and University procedures
Please note that this is not a typical “summer camp” job or teaching artist position but a 24/7 commitment where Faculty members are expected to be available when classes are in session, for field trips, for performances, and for special events, such as a faculty recital, end of summer banquet and student assessments.

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://careers.northwestern.edu

Go to Job Opening: ID 53157
Job Posting Title: Temporary NHSI Theatre Arts – Core Faculty
Please include in your application a cover letter and resume
Applications will be accepted through March 15, 2026

Temporary – NHSI Theatre Arts Directing Faculty

Hours: approximately 30 hours – full time

Pay: $5,000 for 5 week contract

Campus: Evanston

Start Date: June 23, 2026

End Date: August 1, 2026

National High School Institute: This is a 5-week summer position, full-time day and evening commitment, June 23 –August 1, 2026. Salary is $5,000 for 5-week position.

A Director’s schedule will include:

teaching two hours in the afternoon Elective block between 1pm-5pm Monday – Friday.
Rehearsing cast typically in the evenings from 6:30pm-10pm. Additional rehearsals over weekends. Please note, faculty are also required at field trips, student performances, and other special events.

Responsibilities:

Teaching Electives based on teacher qualifications and interest
Directing one of eight productions (productions are one hour, ensemble-based plays)
Attend program orientation (June 23 – June 27, 2026)
Attend design meetings prior to beginning of program and during Orientation week
Attend Weekly Faculty Meetings during the 5-week program
Follow all NHSI rules and regulations concerning staff conduct, appropriate dress, program procedures, and other responsibilities as set forth in the staff handbook
Be knowledgeable of administrative policies and University procedures
Please note that this is not a typical “summer camp” job or teaching artist position -but a 24/7 commitment where Faculty members are expected to be available when classes are in session, for field trips, for performances, and for special events, such as a faculty recital, end of summer banquet and student assessments.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Theatre, or Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre with equivalent professional work
At least two years of experience in professional theatre environment
Experience teaching high school students
Self-motivated, strong work ethic and commitment to collaborative work

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://careers.northwestern.edu

Go to Job Opening: ID 53158
Job Posting Title: Temporary NHSI Theatre Arts – Directing Faculty
Applications will be accepted through March 1, 2026

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.

More open positions will be posted here in winter of 2026 for summer.

Theater Institute – Associate Director

NHSI Film Institute – Resident Hall Director

Temporary – NHSI Theatre Arts Core Faculty

Temporary – NHSI Theatre Arts Directing Faculty

Northwestern University’s Careers Webpage