The Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is seeking a Director, Learning Programs who will be responsible for leading the strategic planning, development, implementation, management and evaluation of the orchestra’s educational programs and initiatives, creating impactful learning experiences that serve a broad and diverse audience, from children to adults, and align with the Orchestra’s mission. The Director plays a key role in ensuring equitable access to quality music education wherever learning is taking place - in Severance Music Center, in schools and colleges, or online, and participates in cross-institutional efforts to develop innovative programming at the highest level.
Position responsibilities include the following:
Learning Program Development, Implementation, Management:
Design, evolve, implement and oversee educational programs for a wide range of audiences, including pre-K to Grade 12 students, college/university students, and adults. Manage the department’s learning programs budgets, ensuring our programs are financially sustainable, impactful, and stay within the budgets allocated. Programs include:
- In-Severance Programs such as Music Explorers, Nord Education Concerts, Sensory Friendly Concerts, including talent hiring, script writing, and overseeing research and development of resource materials (e.g., Teacher Guide, The Score student newspaper; teacher workshops, Social Story Guide)
- In-School programs such as PNC Grow Up Great, Crescendo, Music Mentors, Masterclasses for colleges/universities, overseeing policies, planning and execution.
- Digital Learning Content, defining content development priorities and, in collaboration with the SM&C team,
- developing and executing content dissemination plans on Adella, YouTube, and other platforms and content hubs.
- Adult Learning Programs and Opportunities, e.g., leading a cross-departmental team to ensure awareness and access to existing adult learning programs and new programs, aligning new opportunities with TCO programming and artistic goals.
- Continuously assess the effectiveness of learning programs through feedback, surveys, and participant outcomes.
- Use data-driven insights to document impact and adapt and improve programs, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of participants and communities.
- Identify opportunities for new learning initiatives, both in-person and digital, to reach wider and more diverse audiences.
- Lead and supervise Learning Programs Manager, musicians, artists, contractors, FOH staff and administrative staff involved in learning initiatives.
- Provide mentorship and training for staff, ensuring high-quality teaching and program delivery.
- Contribute to the long-term vision and strategy for the orchestra’s learning programs, aligning them with the organization’s goals and mission and identifying outcomes.
- Work to increase exposure and equitable access to quality music programs for students in marginalized neighborhoods; support efforts of CMSD and NEO school districts to further develop quality and sustainable music programs (including music career-pathing)
- Work with the fundraising team to identify and secure funding through grants, sponsorships, and partnerships for learning initiatives. This includes constructing program narratives and budgets for proposals, providing detailed materials for year-end funding reports and fiscal year renewals, fulfilling requests for participation and evaluation/impact data, providing compelling content for donor newsletters and other mechanisms to increase funding support, and participating in site visits with funders to observe programs and performances.
- Serve as an advocate for music education representing the orchestra’s learning programs at public forums, educational conferences, and community events including local, state, and national educator conferences and workshops designed to provide awareness, training and support for teachers to utilize TCO’s program offerings.
- Promote the orchestra’s learning initiatives through public speaking, media appearances, and by fostering relationships and partnerships with local, state and national arts organizations and educational institutions.
- Collaborate with the TCO communications team to increase visibility and awareness of the learning programs.
- Keep current with trends and best practices in education, music education, orchestra industry to inform our learning programs development and audience development efforts
- Participate in meetings of the Board’s Education Committee, Executive Committee and others as requested presenting impactful program success stories and outcomes.
- Master’s degree in music, music education or related field required; education Licensure or other related educational certifications is a plus.
- Minimum seven years of experience in arts education or related field required; experience in a variety of school and community settings a plus.
- Knowledge of orchestral repertoire required, as well as familiarity with national, state and local standards for arts education and Ohio’s curriculum content frameworks.
- Curriculum writing/teaching experience required, preferably in a public Pre-K to Grade 8 setting.
- Personal commitment to the organization’s educational mission, including service to underserved/diverse populations.
- Demonstrated ability to work with and develop productive long-term relationships with school personnel at all levels, as well as professional musicians and community-based groups. Must move easily between school- and community-settings and the environment of a world-class symphony orchestra.
- Demonstrated project coordination skills including budgeting, scheduling, expense tracking, grant writing, and multi-tasking under tight deadlines. Attention to detail and consistent follow-through in completing tasks and projects on schedule and within budget is essential.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn and use the Orchestra’s ArtsVision and Tessitura database systems.
- Effective communication skills, both written and oral diplomacy in working with a wide range of people; experience working with diverse populations; comfortable presenting to a variety of constituents from students and teachers to trustees and funders.
- Positive outlook; strong work ethic; respectful and empathetic team player.
- Must have a valid driver’s license; able to travel locally on a regular basis.