Program Manager, Smart Start

The Royal Conservatory of Music; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The Royal Conservatory of Music is seeking a Program Manager for its Smart Start initiative in Toronto. You will lead program delivery, partner coordination, and teacher training while ensuring quality standards and timely execution.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Digital Learning, you will collaborate across departments to align objectives, optimize resources, and drive continuous improvement in early childhood music education.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in program or project management, preferably in education/not-for-profit/creative sector.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and adapt to changing priorities.
• Experience with music and/or educational programming is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation, delivery, and day-to-day management of the Smart Start program with partners.
• Build strong relationships with partners and stakeholders to optimize performance.
• Respond to inquiries and provide updates to Smart Start providers.
• Manage vendor relationships with Business Development for seamless delivery.
• Ensure compliance with policies and brand standards in collaboration with Marketing.
• Collaborate on ideation, development, and enhancement of Smart Start programs.
• Interpret data dashboards and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate Teacher Training enrollment, scheduling, and materials.
• Prepare periodic enrollment and engagement reports for leadership.
• Support curriculum resources and accreditation compliance.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities with Learning Systems, Marketing and IT.
• Assist with event logistics and administrative duties.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Organization

Multi-tasking

Team player

Music programming experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Royal Conservatory (RCM) is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training, and teacher certification. Graduates from its two performance training programs, The Glenn Gould School and The Phil & Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists, regularly perform on major international stages. The RCM is also a leader in the development of early childhood education programs and arts-based social programs, and presents a diverse range of concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance space, Koerner Hall. Please visit www.rcmusic.com for more information.

What is the Opportunity?

RCM Smart Start is a developmentally-sequenced early childhood music program designed to nurture both cognitive and musical growth from infancy through age 4. The program helps children exceed age-appropriate milestones through a multi-modal learning approach.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Digital Learning, the Program Manager, Smart Start provides operational leadership and program oversight for all Smart Start initiatives, ensuring successful planning, delivery, and continuous improvement across program service delivery, teacher training, curriculum management and partnership support.

This role serves as the primary liaison between internal departments and external partners, aligning strategic objectives with operational implementation and execution. The Program Manager ensures that program milestones are met, resources are efficiently managed, and all Smart Start offerings adhere to RCM’s quality standards, timelines, and market-readiness criteria.

Professionalism, a collaborative mindset, and exceptional organizational and communication skills are essential to success in this role.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Professional Implementation & Partner Management

• Oversee the implementation, ongoing delivery, and day-to-day operational management of the Smart Start program with new and existing partners.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with partners and internal stakeholders to optimize Smart Start program performance and client experience.
• Respond to general inquiries and provide regular updates to Smart Start providers.
• In partnership with the Business Development department, manage vendor relationships to ensure seamless coordination in delivery and continuity of service.
• Ensure compliance with Smart Start policies and maintain brand standards in collaboration with Marketing.

Program Development, Improvement & Evaluation

• Collaborate with Learning Systems and Digital Learning leadership on the ideation, development, and enhancement of Smart Start programs, onboarding, and training initiatives.
• Conduct competitive reviews and recommend curriculum, instructional design, and program updates to maintain market relevance.
• Collect, interpret, and utilize data dashboards, participant feedback, and teacher feedback to assess performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement.
• Stay current with early childhood and music education trends to inform program evolution.
• Support the development of training proposals, customized needs assessments, and teacher training recommendations for partners.
• Manage the coordination and delivery of Smart Start Teacher Training, including enrollment, scheduling, communications, and materials distribution.
• Provide direction to the Teacher Training Coordinator for all teacher and instructor training activities.
• Prepare weekly Smart Start Teacher Training enrollment and engagement reports for Learning Systems leadership.
• Oversee curriculum resources, instructor coordination, and accreditation compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a central point of coordination across Learning Systems, Marketing and IT to ensure alignment on Smart Start initiatives.
• Partner with the Digital Learning team to ensure Smart Start courses, digital tools, and resources align with program goals, accessibility standards, and optimal user experience.
• Coordinate content reviews and planning across Smart Start products to ensure consistency and quality.

Operations, Administration & Events

• Support departmental operational and administrative activities, including processing agreements, contracts, and invoices.
• Coordinate logistics for training sessions, professional development, and events (virtual and in-person).
• Support conference logistics as needed.
• Contribute to team meetings and strategic/tactical planning processes.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of experience in program or project management, ideally in an educational, not-for-profit, or creative industry environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and adapt to changing priorities.
• Team player willing to jump in and support where needed, but equally capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with music and/or educational programming preferred.

Salary Range

• $75,000 - $80,000 per annum

Additional Information

• Hybrid work arrangement, working on site at least two (2) days a week, including all staff Community Days.
• Occasional requirements to work outside of regular business hours.
• Some travel within Canada and the United States (up to 10-15%) for events, conferences, or partnership meetings.
• May sit for extended periods of time with exposure to computer screen.
• This opportunity is for an existing vacancy.
• AI Disclosure: AI is not being used to screen, assess, or select applicants.

The RCM thanks all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The RCM is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the RCM’s Human Rights, Inclusion and Equity Policy, accommodation will be provided at any stage of the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known when they have been contacted for an interview.