Community Partnerships Manager

KID smART New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

KID smART New Orleans seeks a Community Partnerships Manager to develop and sustain vibrant events and community engagement experiences. The role coordinates and evaluates events such as ART JAM, BEST FEST, and Arts Education Institute, with a Tuesday-Saturday schedule in New Orleans.

You will build relationships with schools, partners, volunteers, and sponsors, manage budgets, and align activities with the organization's mission.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience coordinating and executing events (fundraisers, workshops, conferences).
• Proven project management skills with ability to handle multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong relationship management with teams, volunteers, and vendors.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across diverse audiences.
• Ability to articulate KID smART's mission and programs.
• Team-oriented and collaborative work style.

Responsibilities

• Produce, manage, and evaluate events such as ART JAM, BEST FEST, and Arts Education Institute.
• Coordinate with NOAEA manager on school partnerships and monthly convenings.
• Support fundraising events and donor cultivation activities.
• Oversee vendor and venue relationships and contracts.
• Maintain event plans, reports, and best practices.
• Lead community arts activations and outreach events.
• Collaborate with Programming, Development, and Center teams.

Skills

Event coordination

Relationship management

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Tech literacy

Tools

Google Suite

Asana

Canva

Job description

Since 1999, KID smART has partnered with schools, artists, and cultural institutions to create transformative arts experiences that spark learning, connection, and possibility. Through in-school artist residencies, teacher professional development, community art events, and workshops and classes at the KID smART Center for Arts & Education, KID smART cultivates imagination, critical thinking, and human connection for learners of all ages and identities. The Community Partnerships Manager plays a vital role in advancing KID smART’s mission by developing and sustaining vibrant, mission-aligned events and community engagement experiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOB POSITION

This position works a Tuesday-Saturday schedule.

KID smART Events Management

• Independently produce, manage, and evaluate KID smART events, including ART JAM, BEST FEST, and Arts Education Institute (50-500 average attendance)
• Support the school relationships/partnerships alongside the NOAEA manager and help produce monthly NOAEA convenings
• Work with the Development Team to produce KID smART’s annual fundraiser, Cocktails for KID smART, including volunteer and staff liaison and event logistics
• Work with the Programming Team to produce KID smART’s annual Arts Education Institute, focused on local and regional thought leadership
• Recruit, train, and manage event volunteers and committees
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners to create meaningful, audience-specific event experiences
• Oversee vendor and venue relationships, including contract negotiation, logistics, and deliverables
• Maintain thorough documentation of event plans, reports, and best practices
• Support the Programming Team with logistics for thought leadership and in-school events and other key initiatives
• Research and secure sponsorships and in-kind donations, in coordination with the Fund Development team, for special events and initiatives
• Assist with fundraising, donor cultivation events, and other projects as needed

Community Outreach and Engagement

Leading up to 20 community arts activations throughout the year

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders to advance KID smART’s service goals and mission
• Collaborate with Center Manager and local partners to increase visibility and community impact
• Outreach/recruitment to Bayou Rd + Treme families for center programming
• Represent KID smART at community events to grow brand awareness and audience engagement
• Maintain protocols and a detailed calendar for annual community outreach activities

Strategic Planning

• Manage, follow and update budgets for sustainability and growth
• Align events and outreach activities with KID smART’s 5-year Strategic Plan
• Track and report on progress toward strategic goals related to special projects and community engagement

Ideal KID smART candidates are:

• Organized and hardworking - they work hard, manage their time well, communicate clearly and in a timely fashion, and have excellent follow-through
• Reliable - they are there when they say they will be there and do what they say they will do with energy and empathy
• Resilient and resourceful - they recognize the wealth of knowledge that exists within themselves and in the field to share with colleagues and are driven to continually expand their knowledge base and understanding of the arts education field
• Collaborative - they work well with others, can manage multiple projects with multiple partners, communicate and cooperate with purpose and humor
• Technically proficient - Proficiency in Google Suite, project management platforms (we use Asana), and graphic design applications such as Canva

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 years of experience coordinating and executing a variety of events, including fundraisers, workshops, and conferences
• Demonstrated project management skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent projects simultaneously
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with team, community, volunteers, and vendors
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and comfort communicating across a diverse range of audiences
• Ability to clearly articulate the mission and programs of KID smART
• Ability to work and function positively within a team environment