Director of Learning, Community Engagement, and Inclusion

Orchestra Lumos, Inc.

Location: Stamford, CT. Office based with flexibility for virtual working. Travel expected to within Fairfield County and surrounding areas

Type: Regular full-time, exempt position with required evenings and weekend hours

Reports to: President and CEO

Salary: In the range $70,000-$85,000; more may be available for an exceptional candidate, plus a 2% contribution to a retirement account

Vacation: The Orchestra offers four weeks of paid holiday in addition to which the office is closed between Christmas and New Year and on Fridays from July 4 to Labor Day.

The organization is mindful of ensuring a good work/life balance with great flexibility for personal issues and time off as required.

For an informal conversation with the current Director, please contact Nicolas Gonzalez at ngonzalez@orchestralumos.org before May 31, 2023.

Submit your resume and cover letter to Orchestra Lumos President and CEO Russell Jones at rjones@orchestralumos.org

Context of the post

Formerly the Stamford Symphony, Orchestra Lumos was the outcome of a re-imagining and rebranding exercise to reflect a new vision for the Orchestra through which it will seek to engage with everyone in the Fairfield County community, with a particular emphasis on new and diverse audiences.

The Orchestra provides:

• High quality classical concerts under Music Director Michael Stern at its home The Palace Theatre in Stamford, with artists such as Joshua Bell, Midori, Alisa Weilerstein, Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, and Awadagin Pratt
• Ten Small Space (chamber music) presentations offered in churches, libraries, and nature centers from Greenwich to Bridgeport
• A comprehensive education and community engagement program established under Nicolas Gonzalez, the Orchestra's first full time Director of Learning and Community Engagement who formerly served with the Chicago Symphony
• A new pops season for 2023/24 including a Holiday Concert and the showing of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, presented with the Orchestra playing the soundtrack live

The 2023/24 season may be viewed at https://orchestralumos.org/new-season-2023-2024/

The position of Director of Learning, Community Engagement, and Inclusion (Director) is responsible for the management, implementation, and evaluation of the education programs built by the previous Director. The Director will review and execute all education and community engagement programs, and is responsible for overseeing the equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. The Director will recommend improvements to the programs and new strategies to reach new, diverse audiences relevant to the goals and mission of the Orchestra. The Director will ensure the mission of the education and community programs are executed at a high quality, with an eye for equity and relevance across its seven-town footprint. In 2022, Orchestra Lumos was awarded the Catalyst Incubator Fund grant from the League of American Orchestras to assist the organization in creating more equitable, diverse, and inclusive cultures. The Director will be responsible for the management and participation of this program.

On a regular basis, the Director will be in contact with the Orchestra’s entire constituency: community members, Board, musicians, and the public at large will be of paramount importance.

Essential Job Functions

Education & Community Engagement

• Schedule a season of education and community engagement activities, balancing community visibility and strategic seven-town representation
• Manage existing programs with schools and in the community across our seven town strategy; ensuring the Orchestra delivers relevant and meaningful programs to all partners. Current programs include Luminous Storytelling (in English and Spanish), Chamber Music program in collaboration with youth music organizations, masterclasses, classroom visits, Link Up, Artists in the Community, and more
• Deepen programming with youth music programs including Project Music, INTEMPO, Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras, and Concordia Conservatory
• Build upon existing relationships with partner organization and establish new partnerships where strategically appropriate
• Serve as external ambassador for Orchestra at community events in the area
• Research and develop new programs for designated communities, including but not limited to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Under-40s.
• Liaise with the Orchestra Personnel Manager for the hiring and engagement of Orchestra musicians according to protocol
• Facilitate meetings of the Education and Community Engagement & Education committee in partnership with committee chair(s)
• Reimagine pre-concert activities for orchestra concerts, with emphasis on Musikids
• Evaluate all programmatic activities, making recommendations and reports when necessary

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

• Co-lead the EDI Committee, in collaboration with members of the board and orchestra
• Collaborate with the EDI consultant, managing all logistics and communication for learning and projects
• Ensure the organization remains in good standing with the League of American Orchestras’ Catalyst Incubator Fund Program
• Ensure the organization remains in good standing with Sphinx
• Establish strong relationships with community leaders, with a focus on BIPOC communities
• Advocate for EDI efforts and ownership of this work across all departments
• Serve as a sounding board for all constituents

Administrative & Cross-Departmental Duties

• Steward and communicate with specific education donors, ensuring the impact of gifts are seen
• Support and assist with fundraising for Education and Community Engagement programming by collaborating on funding requests and reports
• Work closely with the Marketing and Ticketing department on marketing plans, collateral materials and related functions
• Execute payroll in accordance with the Orchestra’s collective bargaining agreement
• Gather feedback from community partners to evaluate customer experience
• Attend select Small Space Series concerts as mutually agreed upon with the President and CEO
• Perform other relevant duties and special projects as assigned