Vice President, Education

Title: Vice President, Education  

Supervisor to: Education and Staff of POEA 

Summary 

This key leadership position will direct the education programming for Philadelphia's largest arts organization and one of the pre-eminent performing arts centers in the country. This position will set and implement the education strategy for an organization that impacts the lives of Philadelphians and partners worldwide – with the stated ambition of bringing every School District of Philadelphia Student through our doors at least three times during their K-12 education.

The Vice President, Education will strategically align education activities across the multiple genres of POEA – classical, musical theater, jazz, popular music, and dance – to create pipelines of programming created in partnership with school districts, community partners, youth performing arts ensembles, and cultural organizations. This position will be responsible for evaluation of programs against strategic goals, fiscal parameters, and industry benchmarks. The VP of Education will work together with Executive Leadership to ensure that there are education offerings with both broad reach and programs with deep individual impact. The VP of Education will align departmental programming with on-stage performances, utilizing the full artistic resources of the institution, and representing the artistic values of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts.

Guided by our values (Authentic, Collaborative, Exceptional, and Inclusive) and consistent with the principles of IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies), this position will ensure that POEA is an industry and civic leader in high quality arts education. The VP of Education will identify new ways to engage with local organizations and make all three venues – the Kimmel Center, the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater – a welcoming destination for students and educational organizations to explore the arts together. The VP of Education is an inspiring, visionary, and outward-facing institutional voice in the community, in fundraising, and in the media, representing the vision and values of POEA. 

Essential Functions:

• Direct multi-year strategy for POEA education initiatives that include instrumental training programs, weekday student matinee concerts, open rehearsals, workshops, masterclasses, fellowships, and deep relationships with local schools. 
• Serve as key contact for school districts and academic institutions. 
• Evaluate, analyze, and track programs against strategic goals and ensuring financial stability of programs. Oversee budget management and create long-term fiscal models, funding strategies, and evaluation processes. 
• Be a visible, inspiring, and welcoming presence throughout the City on behalf of POEA. 
• Serve as primary liaison to the School District of Philadelphia, schools for the performing arts, conservatories, community arts organizations, and select cultural partners. Collaborate with other departments as secondary liaison with other community and civic partners as needed. 
• Together with executive leadership, serve as a liaison to the Education Committee of the Board as well as the Education Committee of the Orchestra. Interface with key stakeholders to build advocacy and investment across a broad collection of constituents. 
• Participate in fundraising for POEA coordination with development and executive office staff. Assist in preparation of fundraising proposals and grant applications.
• Cultivate and build relationships with key individual, foundation, and corporate sponsors. 
• Manage training and music appreciation programs focused on classical, musical theater, dance, and jazz, with the goal to explore broader musical genres. 
• Interface with Programming department on Family programming presentations and programs with the Orchestra that serve broad audiences and meet institutional goals for access and learning. 
• Oversee implementation of school concerts (for Classical, Jazz, musical theater, and dance), curriculum materials, and teacher professional development programs. 
• Work closely with programming department to utilize orchestral musicians and visiting artists in educational and community programs. 
• Partner with audience experience on providing ticketing access to students, teachers, and education groups. 
• Convene educational partners, as well as Resident Companies, to coordinate activities and audiences served. 
• Stay fully informed of education work at other arts institutions that can provide resources or inspiration for POEA activities. Benchmark POEA programs against national and international programs of the highest standards. 
• Represent POEA at conferences, civic events, and fundraisers as requested. Be a public spokesperson in media interviews as requested. 

Education/Experience:  

Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in performing arts administration and/or education with a proven track record of building, evaluating, and sustaining impactful programming. Experience building, implementing, and evaluating programs, and working with orchestral musicians, theatrical performers, and a wide range of talent is also highly preferred. 

Bachelor’s degree required; Degree in field of Education or Music Education with knowledge of Classical music, musical theater, and/or ethnomusicology strongly preferred. 

Knowledge/Skills/Ability:  

• Superior knowledge of performing arts education systems and paradigms at orchestras, social programs and community organizations. 
• Superior interpersonal skills in developing relationships and fostering an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and experimentation. 
• Proven analytic tools for program evaluation and tracking.
• Knowledge of K-12 educational systems, national and state arts standards, and roles of teaching artists in schools. 
• Superior written communication skills, including but not limited to generating new content, proofreading, and editing.
• Superior verbal communication skills, including but not limited to diplomacy and sensitivity in communication with many different constituencies. 
• Management experience in overseeing and motivating a passionate team of employees. 
• Attention to detail, accuracy, adherence to deadlines, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced, multi-tasking office environment. 
• Ability to track financial expenditures. 
• Strong project management skills. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft products, including a high level of efficiency in Excel, is essential. 

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: 

Routine for office environment. The employee will be required to travel to and attend meetings, events, schools, and programs during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. The employee will also be expected to attend community-based meetings and networking opportunities during business hours, and during evening and weekend hours. 

A cover letter and resume are required.  

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, or military service.