Program Manager: Educational Outreach and Teaching Artist Recruitment

JOB TITLE: Program Manager: Educational Outreach and Teaching Artist Recruitment

REPORTS TO: Artistic Director

PAY: $40,625-48,775/yr, full-time, exempt



OVERVIEW:

Northwest Children’s Theater (NWCT) seeks a full-time Program Manager to administer a large network of in-school and after-school programs, manage NWCT’s teaching artist recruitment and training, and support NWCT’s School Break Camps when schools are not in session.

NWCT’s Educational Outreach programs are dedicated to providing innovative theater education classes and experiences to K-8 students attending Portland area schools, supporting their creative growth and personal expression.

The Program Manager: Educational Outreach and Teaching Artist Recruitment has three main areas of responsibility:

1. Manage, maintain, and grow NWCT’s Outreach programs.

2. Coordinate company-wide teaching artist recruitment and training both for Outreach programs and in coordination with Theater School.

3. Support Theater School during all School Break Camps as needed (either as Admin or Teaching Artist depending on the program needs and the Program Manager’s skill set).

A major component of this position is booking, scheduling, and marketing outreach programming. The ideal candidate will come to the job with a deep knowledge of arts education and the systems used by local schools to manage partnerships, and have the people skills, adaptability, and strategic thinking to build inter-organizational partnerships, strengthen existing programming, and provide curricular and logistical support to teaching artists.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage, maintain, and grow NWCT’s Outreach programs.

+Book, schedule, and market outreach classes to both schools and parents.

+Work with NWCT Programs Team and partner organizations to design curriculum.

+Design and execute strategies to maximize enrollment, and expand the reach of NWCT’s Outreach programs.

+Work with NWCT Leadership and Programs Team to design and implement procedures and policies for teaching artists and other outreach staff.

+Implement substitute teaching artist plans for all outreach classes.

+Teach outreach classes as necessary.

+Establish and foster long-term, sustainable relationships with schools, parents, and partner organizations.

+Represent NWCT at school and neighborhood meetings, visibility events, and conferences.

+Provide logistical and curricular support to teaching artists and Outreach programs.

+Conduct regular site visits to all outreach locations.

+Manage online registration, monitor enrollment, and provide regular reports to NWCT Leadership and Programs Teams.

+Administer the annual outreach budget in a fiscally sound manner.

Coordinate company-wide teaching artist recruitment and training for Outreach programs and in coordination with Theater School.

+Work with NWCT Leadership and Programs Team to develop a strategic pipeline of new teaching artists.

+Design and implement regular teaching artist training. Our goal is to provide regular training to all NWCT Teaching Artists, and then open those trainings to other interested parties outside NWCT for a fee.

+Help recruit, hire, and train new teaching artists.

Support Theater School during all School Break Camps as needed (either as Admin or Teaching Artist depending on the program needs and the Program Manager’s primary skill set).

+Assist with the planning, build, and strike of all School Break Camps.

+Serve as teaching artist or administrator for all School Break Camps as needed.

Communicate with and support the activities of other NWCT departments, including Marketing & Communications, Development, Production, and Operations.



REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE: 

+Experience with sales, booking, and or scheduling of educational programs.

+Experience with curriculum development, script writing, and classroom management.

+3-5 years practical experience as a teaching artist or arts education administrator.

+Familiarity with after school programs and the Oregon education system.

+Ability to prioritize, juggle multiple tasks, and adapt to a variable workflow.

+Ability to work independently while working as a member of a team.

+Excellent administrative skills and experience necessary to manage systems and workflow.

+Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

+Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs Suite or similar.

+Must be able to pass a background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+Proficiency in non-English languages and cultures. Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds across boundaries of class, race, color, gender identity, religion, and sexual orientation.

+Experience training teaching artists.

+Experience managing online class registration systems.

+Experience with fabrication of props, sets, and/or costumes.

DESIRABLE PERSONAL VALUES:

+Passion for theater for young audiences and an understanding of the transformative role the performing arts can play in students' lives.

+Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.

+Engages in active listening and is sensitive to the needs of others.

+Works with a deep sense of play and celebrates joy within the process and product.

PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

+Ability to lift 30 pounds. (Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities.)

+Comfortable working around children and families in a loud, fast-paced, nonprofit environment.

+A current driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

+Will be regularly expected to drive a 10-16’ Box Truck to deliver sets, props, and costumes across the Portland metro region.

+Access to reliable internet (if working remote).

SCHEDULE:

Northwest Children’s Theater’s Outreach program mirrors local school calendars, with classes taking place largely between September and June, Monday to Friday. During the school year, it is expected that the Program Manager will primarily work weekdays to support active Outreach programs.

During school breaks, when Outreach programs are dark, it is expected that the Program Manager will work as part of the Theater School Team. The School Break Camp schedule is: Fall Break (3 days in November), Holiday Break (5 days in late December), Spring Break (5 days in late March), and Summer Camp (10 weeks June-August).

Additionally, NWCT anticipates regular needs for assistance on weekends to cover Theater School, Front of House, or Production staff who are out sick, on vacation, etc. Some weekend work should be expected. Special events on evenings and weekends are a regular occurrence, and flexibility of schedule is essential.

COMPANY CULTURE: 

NWCT is a small group of hard-working artists and administrators. We operate many different programs and accomplish a lot with limited resources. While the official duties listed here represent the specific responsibilities for the Program Manager: Educational Outreach and Teaching Artist Recruitment, all NWCT staff regularly help with projects and programs from other departments as needed. NWCT staff members have a willingness to roll up their sleeves and ignite their brain power however circumstances demand.

Submit a cover letter and resume to hiring@nwcts.org. Deadline is February 13, 2024.

Please submit documents in PDF format only.