Director of Learning and Engagement

Job Title: Director of Learning and Engagement

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: Salary Range — $55,000 – $65,000. Actual salary will be based on relevant job experience and work history

Date Revised: January 20, 2023

Overview:

With the opening of the new Creativity Center, Creative Alliance embarks on a new journey for connecting with learners from pre-K through senior adults.  With two additional classrooms, a teaching kitchen, and a dance studio Creative Alliance is looking to rebuild and expand its community and educational programming.  The Director of Learning and Engagement is responsible for leading and implementing this work to create experiences that will have positive, impactful community learning and engagement opportunities. Within Creative Alliance, we pride ourselves in collaborating with local artists and students to create an innovative environment where they can create projects without limitations.  We lead from a desire to proactively address issues of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion with regards to the content and staffing of programming, the visitor experience, and community engagement.

Within the Department of Learning and Engagement at Creative Alliance, the Director supervises the Classes Manager, Schools Program Manager, Community Arts Manager, and the Education Assistant.  The department supports the work of CIELO, our Latin American Cultural outreach department. This position also oversees the program implementation and hiring of professional teaching artists and interns who provide the instruction for the department. Each education program assists learners in building their artistic voices and shaping their intellect through both visual and performing arts. We present culturally rich programs that invite learners to problem solve, think critically, and to imagine solutions that create positive change in their lives and communities.

With a rising demand for the Creative Alliance’s innovative arts education programs and the opening of the new Creativity Center, our offerings have expanded to year-round visual and performing art workshops and classes in schools, libraries, community centers, and festivals.

Principal Responsibilities:

Team Management – 15%

• Manage, coach, and develop Classes Manager, Schools Program Manager, Community Arts Manager, the Education Assistant, and teaching artists
• Set and manage the Department budget in conjunction with the Finance & Administration Director, and the Learning and Engagement team
• Oversee the interviewing, hiring, generating contracts, and supervising teaching artists and assistants
• Conduct performance reviews of staff
• Plan and lead team meetings
• Participate in strategic planning and leadership team meetings

Strategy & Planning – 30%

• Develop short- and long-term vision for the Department’s work, in conjunction with the Executive Director, Learning and Engagement team, CIELO Manager. Community Programs Manager, and input from the content partners.
• Develop year-round arts education programs and curricula in conjunction with the department team
• Develop strategy and planning for community programming and partnerships, in conjunction with the department and CA staff
• Work with evaluator consultant to develop indicators and measurement tools for programs
• Build consistency within department as it pertains to teaching philosophy, fee structures, contracts, training, program evaluation etc
• Evaluate programs and implement change as necessary
• Work cross-departmentally in developing, marketing, presenting learning opportunities
• Growing successful programs effectively
• Leading the planning and execution of innovative new programs serving various learning groups
• Ensuring that equity, diversity, inclusion is imbedded in all programming and planning

Program Management – 45%

• Oversee appropriate contracts and schedules for successful partnerships
• Assist in developing training materials and conduct trainings for teaching staff
• Evaluate lesson plans and programs with teaching staff through on-site visits and post program teacher debriefs/evaluations
• Administer aspects of final exhibitions/receptions and award ceremonies
• Oversee publications (e.g. flyers, postcards, catalogues) for student and partner recruitment and documentation
• Work with development staff and Executive Director to produce grant proposals and donor requests to obtain funds to support educational programs
• Proactively seek funding sources and coordinate with development staff
• Generate timely grant reports
• Manage recruitment of students to Creative Alliance’s programs
• Collaborate across departments on programming
• Fulfill grant requirements, attend all mandatory meetings, and keep programs in compliance
• Manage existing grants from MSDE, Family League of Baltimore, CDBG (Community
• Development Block Grant and actively pursue new sources of funding

Partnerships – 10%

• Initiate and maintain excellent relationships with partnering sites alongside education team staff
• Maintain familiarity and develop relationships within Creative Alliance’s geographic footprint including with community schools
• Develop and strengthen relationships with anchor institutions in Creative Alliance’s immediate neighborhoods and Baltimore City more broadly

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be comprehensive. Employee may perform other related functions to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Minimum Education/Experience Requirements:

• BA/BFA degree in arts education, art management, or comparable experience
• Four years’ experience leading a successful arts education department or comparable experience
• Experience in a professional educational/theatrical environment working with multi-aged learners including a proven track record of teaching

Minimum Qualifications:

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write for a variety of audiences – candidates may be asked to submit a writing sample
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time
• Highly skilled in Microsoft applications; Outlook, Word, Excel, Adobe, and Power Point required.
• Knowledge of Salesforce, Patron Manager, or other ticketing software, and Airtable strongly desired
• Work some nights, weekends, and holidays
• Able to lift 40 lbs.
• The satisfactory completion of a state and federal background check
• Creative Alliance expects all staff to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 unless there is a medical or religious exemption.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in arts administration
• Experience overseeing and evaluating staff
• Familiarity with developing and implementing curriculum (in visual arts, performance, and other arts disciplines)
• Experience creating impactful and engaging experiences and curriculum for learners and community members
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the experiences, needs, and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and identities.
• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with experience working in diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environments
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet
• Ability to speak Spanish desired.

Benefits: Creative Alliance offers a generous benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to employees for individual coverage
• Optional Simple IRA plan through Vanguard with up to 3% match of annual salary
• 4 weeks of PTO upon hire.
• 12 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays per year.

Organization Participation Expectations: In addition to the job-related tasks for this position, Creative Alliance expects all staff to participate in organization events and activities. Specific roles and responsibilities that individual staff may have for these events and activities will be developed in partnership with your supervisor.

Creative Alliance provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Application instructions: I have reviewed the content of this job description and acknowledge that I am able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, three references and three writing samples, either program development or class curricula to jobs@creativealliance.org. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.