Community Partnerships & Education Lead

National Opera Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

403b retirement

Flexible schedule

Professional development

Parking access

Free tickets

Job summary

Houston Grand Opera in Houston, TX, seeks a Community Partnership Manager to lead the development and implementation of education and engagement programs, including student performances, school programs, early childhood programming, and community partnerships.

The role supervises staff, builds long‑term relationships with schools and cultural partners, and represents HGO at events, ensuring high‑quality programming and strategic impact across the region.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of professional experience developing and supporting community engagement and building strategic partnerships.
• Existing relationships and established connections with Houston-area cultural, arts, education, civic, and community organizations and leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, maintain, and steward high‑touch relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to see a long‑term project from start to finish with its goal in mind while adapting as needed.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for a variety of constituents.
• Passion for the performing artist and their power to inspire connection, learning and, civic pride.
• Must complete a background check.

Responsibilities

• Execute current Community & Learning programming, particularly in communities that reflect the diverse population of the metropolitan Houston region, while building and maintaining strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Community & Learning team to maintain accurate budgets for all programs, providing information as required for quarterly forecasting, benchmarking, and funding proposals.
• Represent HGO at events hosted by area schools, arts, cultural, civic, and community organizations, as well as special interest groups whose missions advance HGO strategic goals. Maintain a visible presence in the community and use these opportunities to cultivate new and existing relationships.
• Own and steward assigned relationships with community partners, serving as a consistent point of contact and maintaining high‑touch communication throughout the lifecycle of partnerships—from initial engagement and planning through program implementation and follow‑up.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with leading cultural institutions, community organizations, schools, civic leaders, and other strategic partners to identify opportunities for collaboration, shared programming, audience engagement, and increased visibility for HGO.
• Participate in the recruitment and onboarding of HGO Teaching Artists and performers for community engagement and educational programs, helping ensure they are prepared to represent HGO effectively in community settings.
• Provide onsite support at events in the Wortham Theater Center and in the community, serving as an HGO representative and ensuring a positive experience for partners, participants, artists, and audiences.
• Collaborate with the Community & Learning and Marketing teams to create engaging support and educational materials that reflect innovative practices for touring performances, student performances, HGO mainstage productions, and other programs determined in consultation with HGO leadership.
• Maintain awareness of Houston’s cultural and civic landscape and leverage community relationships to identify emerging opportunities, strengthen HGO’s community presence, and connect the organization with new audiences and partners.

Skills

Community partnerships

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Networking

Event facilitation

Job description

Houston Grand Opera in Houston, TX, seeks a Community Partnership Manager to lead the development and implementation of education and engagement programs, including student performances, school programs, early childhood programming, and community partnerships.

The role supervises staff, builds long‑term relationships with schools and cultural partners, and represents HGO at events, ensuring high‑quality programming and strategic impact across the region.