Director of Learning & Community

JOB TITLE: Director of Learning & Community
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
SUPERVISES: Learning & Community Program Manager/Front of House Manager
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
In-Person/Hybrid Status: Office and community spaces
COMPENSATION RANGE: $54,000 – $57,000
BENEFITS: Medical-Dental-Vision-HSA

About the Organization

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has been a part of Ann Arbor’s cultural life for over 95 years. It was founded as a community orchestra in 1928 by five musically-inclined members of the local Methodist Church and has since grown to become the largest arts employer in Washtenaw County. Since 1986 the A2SO has been a fully professional orchestra, counting among its music directors Carl St. Clair, Sam Wong, Arie Lipsky, and Earl Lee.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Learning & Community is responsible for working across departments to plan, implement, oversee, and evaluate all Learning & Community programs at the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. This department also organizes pre-concert activities for Pops concerts and completes any additional community-building and impact efforts as they arise. This position supervises the Learning & Community Program Manager/Front of House Manager, Learning & Community Assistants, and (periodically) a Learning & Community Intern to organize and facilitate the programs listed below.

The Director of Learning & Community works with all departments of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra to assist in grant proposals and other fundraising strategies with the Development department, update Marketing materials and information for the Marketing department, stay up to date on all department finances and create each year’s annual budget with the Finance department, collaborate with the Artistic Production department for Youth Concerts and other programs, and reports to the Executive Director to handle other duties as assigned. The position should also conduct regular research into best practices of Education and Community Engagement departments across the field of orchestras in order to evaluate if and how A2SO programs are best serving the community, and create and maintain strong relationships with local schools and community organizations in order to optimally serve them.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

  • Organize the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the following programs:
    • A2SO @ School program
    • Music Mentors program
    • Public Chamber Concert series
    • Private Chamber Concert series
    • KinderConcerts
    • Link Up Youth Concert
    • Farmers Market program
    • Used Instrument Drive (Play It Forward)
    • Instrument Petting Zoos
    • Young Artist Competition
  • Cultivate community partnerships with local teachers, school administrators, libraries, farmers markets, hospitals, senior living communities, etc. to seek out community needs for new programs and feedback on current programs
  • Communicate with local venues about program needs and expectations
  • Be able to work effectively and collegially with all internal A2SO coworkers
  • Be willing to stretch beyond basic job expectations for the overall mission and to support organizational goals
  • Collaborate with Development department to write grant proposals with informed data from Learning & Community programs
  • Collaborate with Marketing department to create pre-concert lobby activities for Pops concert series
  • Collaborate with the Marketing department to keep all Learning & Community information up to date for the website and additional promotional materials
  • Create annual budget for entire Learning & Community department, working through proposals to Finance Department and Executive Director for approval
  • Collaborate across all departments to assist in the annual fundraising Gala
  • Weekly check-ins with the Learning & Community Program Manager/Front of House Coordinator to discuss program progress
  • Weekly check-ins with Executive Director to report on and discuss program progress
  • Attend all Board meetings as scheduled throughout the year, unless otherwise cleared with the Executive Director or in the case of sickness or emergency
  • Attend all MainStage and Pops concerts scheduled throughout the season, unless otherwise cleared with the Executive Director or in the case of sickness or emergency

Required Qualifications:

  • Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in music, music education, arts
    management, or equivalent. Strong understanding of music education and performing arts. Two or more years of related experience is preferred. Previous relevant work experience may substitute for any education requirements.
  • Language Skills: Ability to write clearly with proper spelling and grammar to
    communicate effectively to schools, teachers, Board members, employees, venues, and others.
  • Familiarity with non-English language musical terms and composer names;
    correct pronunciation of these terms and names
  • Must be able and flexible to work occasional nights and weekends as required by the
    Learning & Community department (depends on the time of year)
  • Ability to organize systems, coordinate deadlines, handle logistics, interpret instructions provided in written, oral, or diagram form
  • Computer Skills: Must be able to use all applications within Google Suite and Microsoft Office effectively (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Chat, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, efficient and accurate proofing skills
  • Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse personalities, including
    teachers, parents and students, volunteers, A2SO musicians, other staff, conductors, and guest performers
  • Understands the unique needs of performing artists, musicians, guest artists, and
    conductors
  • Excellent customer service skills via phone, email, in person, etc.
  • Comfortable greeting all types of guests and has keen awareness of safety concerns
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively and gracefully under pressure
  • Valid driver’s license and good driving record required
  • Must be able to speak publicly when called upon to do so

Desired Qualifications:

  • Previous experience as a music educator (either as a school teacher, group lesson
    instructor, private instructor, or in another setting)
  • Experience with CRM software (Theatre Manager, Spektrix, or Tessitura)
  • Experience with finance software (QuickBooks)
  • Experience with Canva

Physical Demands (reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions):

  • Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up 40 lbs regularly

  • Capacity to stand, walk, sit, bend, kneel, or crouch for extended periods

  • Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination required for repetitive tasks, typing, or

    playing musical instruments

  • Vision and hearing capabilities needed for safety and task execution

  • Ability to work in varying conditions, such as extreme temperatures, loud noises, or

    confined spaces

 

Interested candidates should send a resume or CV and letter of interest to jobs@a2so.org. 

Application deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 5 PM EST.

 

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all facets of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or national origin. This job is based at our office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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