Job Title: Director, In-Schools Programs
Job Location: Memphis, Tennessee
MMI Overview:
Memphis Music Initiative (MMI) invests in youth, local communities and Memphis’ musical legacy by broadening and strengthening existing music engagement offerings in and out of schools and supporting youth-centered, community-based music education. Our approach is three tiered--Through various unique interventions, MMI seeks to: 1) sustain existing in-school music education and expand instruction through partnerships with local musicians; 2) expand high-quality, out-of-school time school programs to reach more youth and remove barriers to youth engagement and participation; 3) support organizations that are providing music engagement, enhance their sustainability and scale high quality programming. Read more about MMI at www.memphisismusic.org.
Job Description:
MMI is seeking an experienced music youth development director to lead our in-school program efforts, which seek to provide high quality support and music engagement to black and Latino students during school time. The goals of the program are to:
- Sustain existing in-school music education and expand instruction through partnerships between Memphis schools and musicians;
- Create intentional pathways for students to progress from in-school instruction into after-school and summer programming;
- Support schools through a six-semester plan and program values continuum from building relationships through music program sustainability;
- Provide meaningful paid work to Memphis musicians, allowing them to share their talents with youth and remain in Memphis as viable artists.
We begin our process by working with fellows, teachers, and school leaders to provide highly-engaging programs during the school day. We then create opportunities for youth to explore and connect with Memphis’ musical community through the fully funded field trips that MMI provides for partner schools. We create relationships between schools and nonprofit partners that engage in after school and summer programming through our Parent-Teacher-Principal (PTP) Cohort.
For the 2017-2018 school year, we will have 39 fellows working in approximately 45 schools and engaging approximately 4500 students. We will continue working in our current communities across Memphis while strengthening our presence in Frayser, Whitehaven, and South Memphis.
This position is located in Memphis, TN. The Director, In-Schools Programs, will report to MMI’s Executive Director.
The Director, In-Schools Programs will lead the following efforts:
In-Schools Team Management and Program Oversight
- Recruit, develop, manage, and retain high-quality administrative staff
- Supervise, support and manage program leadership and staff in all aspects of their work, including effective support for faculty and maximizing student achievement outcomes
- Ensure operational integrity of the in-school programs including satisfactory and proactive compliance with all applicable laws, regulatory reporting, and contractual obligations
- Ensure that diversity is a principle and practice articulated throughout the in-school programs
- Develop and maintain effective and appropriate engagement with diverse stakeholders including the school leadership, in-school programs faculty, staff, students, parents, community members, and other private and public partners
- Serve as the chief spokesperson for the Memphis Music Initiative In-School Programs in the community; articulate and communicate the value of the arts in improving our quality of life, and promote community support of music
- Ensure effective systems to track progress, and regularly evaluate program components, so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to Executive Director and other stakeholders
- Conduct all business at the highest standard of integrity ensuring that all activities are legal and ethical
- Establish clear benchmarks, and work with data analyst(s) to oversee tracking and measure progress
In-School Program Strategic Development
- Lead the ongoing development and implementation of the In-Schools program strategy, in alignment with the overall goals and strategic direction of MMI
- Develop and refine strategic goals, with the Executive Director, to achieve the mission and vision of the Memphis Music Initiative
- Work closely with the senior leadership to ensure ongoing local programmatic excellence, program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance and administration, communications, and systems; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve the strategic goals
- Work closely with the Executive Director to oversee the fiscal health of the in-school programs for effective operation
- Represent and advocate for the in-school programs in the community
- Inform and ensure that the Executive Director and leadership team has the necessary information to effectively manage the organization’s growth and success
- Support the development and implementation of the organization’s Strategic Plan and annual action plans in collaboration with the senior leadership
- With MMI Executive Director, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer and senior management team, determine programmatic goals and develop methods to define success;
- Work collaboratively across the MMI team to leverage programs and relationships.
Qualifications:
- An accomplished youth program manager with a minimum of 5 to 7 years of proven success in the field
- Experienced manager of people with a successful track record leading staff engagement, development, and improvement
- Well-developed communication and presentation skills
- Proven ability to strategize, define, and support the success of fundraising efforts
- Ability to develop and leverage local and national relationships to strengthen the strategy and implementation of the MMI In-Schools programs
- Ability to serve as a thought partner throughout all of MMI’s various programs
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with underserved youth and low-income and diverse communities and engaging schools and families
- Strong passion for the critical role music and arts engagement can play in strengthening youth outcomes and developing youth leaders
- Bachelor’s degree is required
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Background in music performance, music teaching, and/or music management
- Significant track record of building and leading successful youth programs for nonprofit arts, cultural or educational organizations
- Deep knowledge of teaching artist best practices with a record of growth and innovation
- Strong existing relationships with local musicians, music teachers, and school leaders
- Advanced, senior level skills in team building and strategic planning
- Master’s degree or comparable professional experience
To apply, please send a cover letter including salary requirements and a resume to the attention of the Hiring Committee to directorinschools@memphisismusic.org by August 15th.