Senior Manager, Academic (15-Month Contract)

The Royal Conservatory of Music; Toronto; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, invites applications for a Senior Manager, Academic at The Oscar Peterson School of Music. The role focuses on student engagement, retention, program quality, and customer service. It requires oversight of academic cycles, events, and communications.

You will lead program development, faculty coordination, and staff management, while ensuring a positive, inclusive learning environment for diverse ages and abilities.

Qualifications

• 5+ post-secondary diploma/degree in the arts, education, or business administration.
• Background in music or music education informing pedagogical accommodations.
• Experience in customer service or sales, with consultative skills.

Responsibilities

• Manages student placement and class attendance.
• Coordinates student events, performances and camps.
• Supports program development and faculty coordination.
• Maintains student resources and program communications.
• Oversees staff development and performance management.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Multi-tasking

Team coordination

Conflict management

Event coordination

Public speaking

Education

Post-secondary diploma/degree in arts or education or business

ARCT knowledge preferred

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. The Oscar Peterson School of Music is The Royal Conservatory's school of the community for all ages and abilities. Graduates from RCM's 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?

The Senior Manager, Academic is responsible for the administration, logistics, and communications to ensure successful execution and delivery of school programs and special initiatives at The Oscar Peterson School of Music. This role’s primary areas of focus are student engagement and retention, and enhancing programming quality and breadth and customer service relations.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Program Management

• Manages student placement process, ensures students are attending classes.
• Coordinates student events and performances.
• Working with the Associate Director, manages annual academic cycle planning.
• Working with the Manager, Programs, develops and executes all elements of Adult enrichment programs.
• Coordinates Additional Qualifications course administration.
• Oversees the execution and implementation of logistics of day camps.
• Preparation of Canada Summer Jobs grant application for summer camps.

Program Development

• Working with the Dean, plans and implements new and enhanced programming initiatives.
• Researches programming, delivery, and competitors.
• Oversees faculty coordinators and the management of assigned work.

Communications

• Maintains and updates student resources (e.g. Handbooks, Student Portal, calendars).
• Supports all Student and Programs communications (e.g. e-blasts, notices, special events, donations, online & physical bulletin board content, newsletters).

Engagement

• Coordinates student performance opportunities with faculty and provides administrative support for Studio Recitals as the year-end performance opportunity for students in the Music Enrichment Program.
• Identifies students for special programming and performance opportunities within and outside the school.
• Coordinates student and faculty orientation events and meetings.
• Hosts student recitals and events as required.

Staff Management

• Manages the full-cycle performance development for permanent direct reports (recruiting, training, growth, coaching).
• Recruits and manages seasonal Camp Staff, as well as Class Accompanists through the Glenn Gould School’s work-study program. This includes overseeing shift schedules.
• Recruits and manages qualified.

Performs other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ post-secondary diploma/degree, with an emphasis in the arts, education, or business administration.
• A strong foundational knowledge of the RCM Certificate Program, ARCT preferred.
• A background in music and/or music education that would inform pedagogical accommodations.
• At least two years’ experience in a customer service or sales position, preferably including consultative sales or personal counselling.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral, and a drive to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to learn quickly, multi-task, and make sound decisions following company policy.
• Confident conflict management skills, and the ability to remain calm during tense social situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision, following established processes.
• Dedication to working in a group and maintaining a positive team atmosphere.
• Ability to provide service in a second language (French, Mandarin, Cantonese) would be considered an asset.

Salary Range

• $62,500 - $66,000 per annum

Additional Information

• This is approximately a 15-month contract opportunity for an upcoming leave, anticipated to start mid-October 2026 and continue until January 11, 2028.
• The role includes direct reports: Senior Coordinator, Children’s Programming; three (3) part-time Faculty Coordinators (Smart Start Coordinator, Strings Coordinator, and Teacher Education Coordinator); Season Camp Staff - Camp Coordinators, Camp Counsellors, Collaborative Pianists, and Volunteers (part-time contracts); and GGS Work Study Students - Class Accompanists (part-time contracts)
• Availability to work evenings and weekends may be required.
• Attendance at external or internal events outside of working hours may be required.
• Works with confidential issues and data.
• A valid Vulnerable Sector Screening Check is a required condition of employment.
• AI Disclosure: AI is not being used to screen, assess or select applicants.

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 in the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known when they have been contacted for an interview.