neighborhood music school

Current Openings

Administrative positions

Director of Programs

Overview
The Director of Programs is a key artistic and educational leader for Neighborhood Music School, one of the largest community arts organizations in the U.S. Reporting to the Executive Director, he/she provides planning and program leadership in all areas of NMS. The Program Director is responsible for business development, retention and recruitment strategies, program assessment and evaluation. The following Heads of Programs are direct reports: Music Education, Ensemble, Dance, and Community Programs.

He/she ensures that the school’s programming is consistent with the organization’s mission, the assessed needs of its users, the capacity of its faculty and its budget priorities. The Director of Programs works collaboratively with the Executive Director, program staff and other members of the school’s senior leadership to develop short- and long-range program strategy and to ensure oversight for the school’s range of program offerings.

Responsibilities

Program Planning and Development
• Work collaboratively with Program Leadership Team to set and adjust NMS programming direction and vision.
• Oversee planning, scheduling and organizing courses for all sessions offered throughout the year.
• Monitor enrollment, analyze trends and work with school leadership to position the school’s programs to achieve enrollment and retention goals.
• In collaboration with Executive Director and Director of Finance, develop and monitor the Educational program budget for the institution (approximately $3.7M).
• Explore the use of technology to enhance programs or to reach new constituencies.
Program Management
• Hire and supervise program administrators.
• In conjunction with the Head of Music Education, provide leadership to program heads/Program Leadership Team to establish consistent program management and administration practices.
• Manage curriculum and related activities with program heads to ensure that high standards are upheld.
• Collaborate on efforts to engage faculty and support a collegial environment, encouraging faculty to provide input with respect to program issues and priorities.
• Ensure timely and accurate communication among faculty, Program Leadership Team and Communication staff with regard to program information required for internal and external dissemination.
• Manage and schedule distribution of all faculty materials relating to student/family contact rosters, attendance, payroll sheets, parent communication records, re-enrollment procedures, etc.
• Personally supervise cross-disciplinary or other special programs and work with Development staff to identify sources of continued funding.

Student Placement and Customer Service
• Supervise Placement Office staff, establishing standards and practices that ensure timely and accurate communication with students, families and faculty members and emphasizing personalized placement counseling and a customer-service mindset.
• Provide supervision to Front Office staff, establishing appropriate customer service standards and goals.
Program Evaluation
• Implement consistent program evaluation practices to guide planning and decision-making and support efforts at continuous improvement; provide evaluative data for grant applications and other development efforts.
• Work closely with Director of Communications and Marketing to produce surveys online and in focus groups.

Access and Outreach
• With the Executive Director and Director, Finance and Administration, establish financial aid budget and award practices in keeping with the organization’s access goals.
• Identify and engage community partners (e.g., New Haven Public Schools) in the development and design of access programs for the underserved or for non-traditional populations.
• With the Executive Director, represent the school locally to develop collaborative endeavors and regionally and nationally to promote the school’s image and reputation in the field of arts education.

Qualifications / Experience
The Director of Programs must have exceptional demonstrated leadership and administrative ability including staff management, program/curriculum development and budgeting. Significant teaching experience is desirable. BA required; an advanced degree in music or arts education is preferred.

The successful candidate must have:
•  A passion for the arts and arts education and the ability to create a strong sense of community, listen to and respect multiple viewpoints and inspire senior faculty administrators.
• A record of creative accomplishment as a senior manager providing artistic leadership and demonstrating a passion for the role of the arts in the community.
• A commitment to integrity and fairness, a willingness to embrace the school’s core values and a commitment to the value of diversity among faculty, staff and the student body.
• An open and engaging personality, a willingness to collaborate, an inclusive problem-solving style and a sense of humor.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Other expectations:
The Program Director frequently attends evening performances and events and may be required to be present on Saturdays, the school’s busiest day.

Please send a resume and cover letter to: jobs@neighborhoodmusicschool.org

Teaching Positions

Neighborhood Music School welcomes teaching resumés to keep on file. Please send resumés with cover letter to info@neighborhoodmusicschool.org
Neighborhood Music School
Head of Music Education
100 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510
Fax: 203-772-3566