SUMMARY: The Director of Education and Community Engagement is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of all education and community engagement programs of the Oregon Symphony Association (OSA). The Director works collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including musicians, staff, donors, educators, and other community members to ensure that education and engagement programming meets predetermined goals and criteria that support the mission of the OSA. The Director serves as the primary interface with community partners, building strong relationships with education and community leaders throughout the region.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION:
Develops, administers, and implements ongoing education programs and community engagement initiatives, leveraging Symphony resources to serve learners of all ages while maximizing the off-stage impact of the OSA in the community at-large.
In collaboration with appropriate external partners, develops and recommends comprehensive community-based programs which provide meaningful cultural connections with diverse audiences in public neighborhood and community venues.
Monitors and evaluates existing programs and makes recommendations for the creation of new programs consistent with the OSA’s strategic direction, policies, budgets, and calendars.
Oversees the Artist-in-Residence program, creating a three-year plan for each artist that connects their unique talents and personalities with appropriate partnerships in the community.
Serves as liaison with Oregon Symphony Association in Salem (OSAS) Education subcommittee, works with Salem Advisory Committee on education initiatives.
In coordination with local educators and school administrators, plans and administrates all student attendance and participation for annual Youth Concerts, Youth Concert Runouts, and LinkUp Concerts,
Plans, implements, and coordinates all in-school education programs including coaching, master classes, and ensemble performances.
Conceives and implements relevant programming in connection to concert activity (e.g. Prelude performances by school and community groups prior to concerts, pre-concert conversations, and school group rehearsal attendance).
Oversees Northwest Community Gospel Chorus and Chorus Manager in advance of annual Gospel Christmas performances. Serves as liaison between the choir and the OSA.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING:
Takes a lead role in building strategic partnerships within the community. Maintains strong relationships with existing partners.
Identifies and cultivates new partnerships that further the strategic and mission-centric initiatives of the OSA.
Fosters and supports good working relationships with area classroom teachers, music instructors, school administrators, and colleagues in area arts organizations.
Maintains good relationships with OSA musicians, pairing them with engagement opportunities that fit their talents and skill sets.
ADMINISTRATION:
Facilitates participation of musicians and volunteers in education and community engagement programs and initiatives.
Oversees training of musician and volunteer docent presenters in the schools and community programs as requested.
Collaborates with the VP for Programming and Associate Conductor providing input for Kids series, Youth Concerts, and LinkUp programming.
Develops and reports on associated program budgets, monitoring program expenditures against those budgets.
Consults and cooperates with the Development department to promote and seek funding for all education and community programs. Compiles and coordinates all information required for grant proposals, implementations, and reports.
Works collaboratively with the Marketing and Design teams to develop collateral and identify opportunities to promote education and community engagement activities.
Monitors program content and delivery to ensure offerings continually evolve to meet the needs of partners and the community. Makes recommendations for the improvement or discontinuation of selected programs; develops tools for ongoing evaluation.
Oversees the development of materials used in teacher and musician training and student preparation for all education programs.
Remains current with best education and community engagement practices by maintaining relationships with professional symphony orchestras across the country, the League of American Orchestra’s EDCE peer group, and local arts organizations.
CANDIDATE PROFILE: The ideal candidate is an experienced professional with a background in education or community engagement and a demonstrated commitment to building strong relationships within the community. They are comfortable working respectfully and effectively with internal and external stakeholders, as well as with a comprehensive range of community members. They have a demonstrated commitment to promoting equity and reaching historically underserved populations. They have the ability to prioritize strategic partnerships in order to maximize the positive impact of the Oregon Symphony in the broader community. They excel both at the planning and implementation of engagement programs.
QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Music or Education or equivalent arts- or education-related degree. At least five years’ classroom experience in music education, the Education Department of a performing arts organization, or equivalent. Lived experience may substitute for any education requirement.
Excellent communication (written and oral), exceptional organizational and motivational skills.
Passionate commitment to the advancement of music education and the importance of music in society through a strategic, mission-driven approach.
Ability to seek out underserved populations, assess their needs, and match them with activities in line with the OSA’s mission.
Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse personalities, including Symphony musicians, staff, conductors, and volunteers.
Ability to monitor budgets, balance multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate on projects.
Appreciation for live symphonic music performance and sense of humor required
If you are interested in the position, please submit a cover letter and resume to: careers@orsymphony.org. No phone inquiries, please. Position is open until filled.
The Oregon Symphony is a vibrant, growing organization, which has achieved record ticket sales and contributions under the dynamic leadership of President & CEO Scott Showalter. At a time when many orchestras are reducing their classical programming, the Oregon Symphony has continued to invest in the art form, expand its season, reach new and bigger audiences, and expand its collaborations in the community. Now in its 126th season, the Symphony continues to champion living composers with a robust commissioning program, celebrate diverse artistic voices across our Classical, Pops, and Specials performances series, and explore the pressing issues of our time through the medium of music. The Symphony unites exceptional musicians, a world-class conducting staff, an unrelenting focus on excellence, a compelling vision, and a strong commitment to the greater good. The result is something special and rare: an energy that can be felt in every note and performances that move its listeners. As one of the region’s cultural jewels, the Symphony is central to the thriving arts community in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Propelled by the desire to bring the power of music to more people in new... ways, the Oregon Symphony is always moving music forward. Each year, the multi-Grammy nominated Oregon Symphony performs more than 115 concerts at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland and performs regularly in Salem, Newberg, and other cities in the region. It also produces award-winning educational and community engagement events. The Symphony’s programs directly serve more than 250,000 people annually and reach tens of millions more around the globe through its broadcast and recordings programs. The institution is supported by thousands of individuals, businesses, and foundations and receives funding from the Regional Arts & Cultural Council, the State of Oregon Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.The Oregon Symphony Association employs 76 full-time union musicians who are led by David Danzmayr. The Association’s annual operating budget is approximately $22 million, of which 80% is spent on artistic and engagement programs. It employs a full-time staff of 50, who are responsible for concert production, marketing, public relations, education, community engagement, fundraising, customer service, accounting, and financial reporting. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors, who each year contribute thousands of hours and personally contribute more than $2 million.
