JOB POSTING: Education Programs Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: EDUCATION PROGRAMS DIRECTOR, Sones de México Ensemble
Location: Hybrid in person/remote, Chicago, Illinois
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Posted: August 2022. Open until filled. Application review will begin immediately; priority consideration given to applications received by September 12, 2022

THE ORGANIZATION
Sones de México Ensemble is the country’s premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican son, including the regional styles of huapango, gustos, chilenas, son jarocho, and more. It is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote greater appreciation of Mexican folk and traditional music and culture through innovative performance, education, and dissemination.

JOB SUMMARY
Sones de México Ensemble is in a period of expansion; the new position of Education Programs Director will play a leading role in expanding the organization’s educational mission, including initiatives such as the Mexican Music School, classes, workshops, lectures, podcasts, online content, and educational outreach.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Education Programs Director reports to the Executive Director
• The Education Programs Director should be Chicago-based; they will have a hybrid work environment with flexibility to work at home in addition to meetings with other staff at locations around Chicago and frequent work responsibilities at various lesson and performance sites around the city
• The Education Programs Director is responsible for executing all educational initiatives at Sones de México Ensemble, including:
  • Mexican Music School
  • Outreach programs to K-12 schools
  • Lectures and workshops
  • Educational content in the Ensemble’s performances (e.g., pre-concert lectures)
  • Educational media content (e.g., YouTube videos, podcasts)
• Curriculum development, teacher training, and student registration, comprising:
  • Design curriculum for Sones de México Ensemble’s music school offerings including the development of rubrics, lesson plans, and text books in consultation with instructors
  • Coordinate with curriculum consultants to develop new areas of instruction (e.g., new instruments for the Mexican Music School)
  • Train instructors on implementing the curriculum
  • Develop digital tools for student registration, attendance tracking, and student evaluation
  • Manage student registrations, payments, and collection of emergency contact information
  • Secure and negotiate venues for teaching in multiple locations to serve different populations
  • Financial and enrollment reporting on educational activities and sustainability
  • HR basics (e.g., teacher pay, background checks)
  • Participate in fundraising and grant writing
  • Collaborate with media and performance areas of the organization to advance broader educational mission
  • Conduct all business at the highest standard of quality and integrity ensuring that all activities match the organization’s mission, core values, and strategy
  • Creativity and proactivity in developing new ideas, strategies, tactics, and programs to advance the educational mission

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and three years’ work experience in education, music, and/or nonprofit organizations
• Management experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization, with proven experience in the arts or a related area. Master’s degree in a relevant field is a plus
• Outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills with attention to detail; ability to organize and balance workload under deadlines and multiple commitments.
• Ability to work independently, do creative problem solving, and anticipate needs of the organization
• Strong computer skills, particularly with e-mail, word processing, and Internet data transfers, Excel, Powerpoint, and Word, Calendars, online Customer Relationship
• Management (CRM) and willingness to learn new systems in the Mac OS platform for tracking students, programs, revenue, etc.
• Basic graphic design skills are a plus (such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat)
• Some form of musical knowledge, training, and/or ability to learn about Mexican son
• Familiarity with Mexican culture and Chicago’s Mexican communities
• Bilingual English and Spanish

SALARY & BENEFITS
Full time, starting annual salary in the range of $35,000–40,000 depending on qualifications and experience. PTO: 2 weeks. Health insurance not offered.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Juan Dies, Executive Director, Sones de México Ensemble, juan@sonesdemexico.com. For questions call (773) 728-1164.