Learning community program manager

Job Title: Learning & Community Program Manager and Front of House and Volunteer Coordinator

Department: Learning & Community

Reports to: Senior Manager or Director of Learning & Community

Supervisor to: Volunteers, Ushers, and Learning & Community Assistants

FLSA Status: Part Time (20-30 hours a week), Non-Exempt

In-person/Hybrid Status: Hybrid (1 day a week WFH when possible, otherwise in office or onsite)

Compensation Range: $20-25/hr

Benefits: N/A

Application Closes: July 7, 2024 at midnight

Start Date: Aug. 1-9, 2024

How to Apply: Email with a cover letter and resume/CV.

About Us

Founded in 1928, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra (A2SO) is one of the Midwest’s premier regional orchestras, presenting live orchestral music for 70,000 listeners each year. We are a small and dedicated team passionate about engaging with the community through our imaginative classical programming on the stage and our innovative education and community engagement programs off the stage.

Job Summary

The Learning & Community Program Manager is responsible for working with the Learning & Community Director or Senior Manager to plan and implement all Learning & Community programs at the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. These programs include A2SO @ School, Music Mentors, Private and Public Chamber Concerts, KinderConcerts, the Link Up Youth Concert, the Farmers Market program, the Play It Forward program, Instrument Petting Zoos, and the Young Artist Competition. In addition to these programs, this department also organizes pre-concert activities for each Pops concerts (2-3 per season), and additional community-building and impact efforts as they arise. The position also should assist in regular research into best practices of Education and Community Engagement departments across the field of orchestras in order to evaluate if/how A2SO programs are best serving the community, as well as create and maintain strong relationships with local schools and community organizations in order to optimally serve the larger Southeastern Michigan area.

This position supervises the A2SO’s Volunteers, Ushers, and Learning & Community Assistants to organize and facilitate the programs listed above, mainstage and pops concerts, as well as assist with general office duties. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned as needed):

Learning and Community Program Manager

Organize the planning, implementation and evaluation of the following programs:

• Private Chamber Concerts
• KinderConcerts
• Instrument Petting Zoos

Assist in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the following programs:

• A2SO @ School
• Music Mentors
• Public Chamber Series
• The Link Up Youth Concert
• The Farmers Market program
• The Play It Forward program 
• The Young Artist Competition

Additional responsibilities:

• Communicate with local venues about program needs and expectations
• Cultivate community partnerships with local teachers, school administrators, libraries, farmers markets, hospitals, senior living communities, etc. to seek out community needs for new programs and feedback on current programs
• Collaborate with Marketing department to assist in creation of pre-concert lobby activities for Pops Concert series
• Collaborate with the Marketing department to keep all Learning & Community department website information and L&C marketing materials up to date
• Collaborate across all departments to assist in the annual fundraising Gala
• Weekly check-ins with the Director or Senior Manager of Learning & Community to discuss program progress
• Recommended attendance of local teacher’s professional development days before the school year to market Learning & Community programs and gather information about schools’ needs
• Required attendance of the first and last A2SO Board meeting of the season, as well as recommended attendance at all others, as scheduled throughout the year, unless otherwise cleared with the Executive Director or in the case of sickness or an emergency
• Required attendance at all MainStage and Pops concerts scheduled throughout the season, unless otherwise cleared with the Executive Director or in the case of sickness or an emergency
• Be able to work effectively and collegially with all internal A2SO coworkers
• Be willing to stretch beyond basic job expectations for the overall mission and to support organizational goals
• Other responsibilities as needed by the Executive Director

Volunteer and Front of House Coordinator

• Communicate with and prepare ushers for all concerts, including youth concerts
• Liaise on site with Hill Auditorium and Michigan Theater House Managers for all concerts
• Assign volunteers for office duties such as mailings, postcards, and other responsibilities as needed
• Reach out to, follow up with and schedule staffing for Learning & Community Assistants for all scheduled Instrument Petting Zoos, Farmers Markets, KinderConcerts, Public Chamber Series concerts, and other L&C programs as needed
• Plan and implement annual Volunteer Thank You Ice Cream Social

Required Qualifications:

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in music, music education or arts management or equivalent. Strong understanding of music education and performing arts. Previous relevant work experience may substitute for any education requirements.
• Language Skills: Ability to write clearly with proper spelling and grammar to communicate effectively to schools, teachers, Board members, employees, venues, and others.
• Familiarity with non-English language musical terms and composer names: correct pronunciation of these terms and names
• Must be able and flexible to work occasional nights and weekends as required by the Learning & Community department (depends on the time of year)
• Exhibit outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to organize systems, coordinate deadlines, handle logistics, interpret instructions provided in writing, oral or diagram form
• Computer Skills: Must be able to use all applications within the G Suite and Microsoft Office effectively (Docs, Sheets, Slides, G-mail, Chat, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). 
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, efficient and accurate proofing skills
• Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse personalities, including teachers, parents and students, volunteers, A2SO musicians, other staff, conductors and guest performers
• Understands the unique needs of performing artists, musicians, guest artists and conductors
• Excellent customer service skills via phone, email, in person, etc.
• Comfortable greeting all types of guests and has keen awareness of safety concerns
• Ability to work effectively and gracefully under pressure
• Appreciation for live symphonic music performance and sense of humor required
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a music educator (either as a school teacher, group lesson instructor, private instructor or in another setting)
• Experience with CRM software (Theatre Manager, Spektrix or Tessitura)
• Experience with finance software (QuickBooks)
• Experience with Canva
• Experience with Trello and AirTable
• Experience with SignUpGenius

Physical Demands (reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions):

• Regularly required to use hands to handle or feel
• Reach with hands and arms
• Talk and hear
• Frequently required to sit
• Occasionally required to stand, walk and climb stairs
• Must occasionally lift and move up to 40 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus to use computer monitor
• This employee will be regularly required to listen to music

Work Environment (reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions):

• This employee will be regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts such as computer printers and folding machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all facets of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or national origin.

How to Apply: Email with a cover letter and resume/CV.