Community Programs Manager, Symphony San Jose

Association of California Symphony Orchestras; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation time

Sick leave

Downtown parking

Federal holidays

Job summary

Symphony San Jose is seeking a Community Programs Manager to lead community engagement and education initiatives, strengthening ties with schools, civic groups, and partners.

You will support the Symphony Chorale, coordinate auditions and venues, and help produce study guides and promotional materials. This role also collaborates with marketing and development to advance fundraising and audience growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience is required.
• 1–3 years in nonprofit administration, arts management, fundraising, education, or community engagement.
• Self-starter with problem solving, time management, and organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively, build relationships, and foster a positive learning environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software.
• Passion for music, the arts, and community service.
• Flexible schedule with ability to work performance/event nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development, execution, and evaluation of community engagement and education programs.
• Manage Symphony San Jose Chorale operations including auditions, venues, rehearsals, and music logistics.
• Build and maintain community relationships with schools, hospitals, agencies, youth orchestras, and partners.
• Support curriculum development with conductors and collaborate on marketing collateral.
• Assist Development Director with donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Community Programs Manager plays a vital role in advancing the Symphony's mission through the development and management of community engagement and education programs that strengthen institutional visibility, deepen donor relationships, support grant funding objectives, and expand connections with audiences, schools, civic organizations, and community partners. This role combines program management, including oversight of the Symphony Chorale, with frontline development support. The ideal candidate is a dynamic relationship-builder who is passionate about the arts, skilled in cultivating partnerships, and committed to using community engagement as a strategic fundraising and audience development tool.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the development, execution, and evaluation of Symphony San Jose community engagement and education programs, including Students at the Symphony, Music in the Schools, Music Without Borders, First Friday Open Rehearsals, and cultural partner co-pros.
• Provide general management of the Symphony San Jose Chorale, including coordinating singer auditions and registration, securing performance venues, setting up and striking rehearsals, monitoring attendance, procuring and distributing music, identifying equipment needs, assisting with production management, and communicating information across multiple platforms.
• Build and maintain community relationships, serving as primary staff liaison to schools, hospitals, collaborative partners, government agencies, youth orchestras, and other stakeholders.
• Assist conductors and ensemble artists with curriculum development, and collaborate with the marketing team to produce collateral materials such as study guides and promotional items.
• Support the Development Director in implementing fundraising strategies connected to community engagement and education initiatives, including donor identification, communication, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Prepare program narratives, statistics, testimonials, and impact stories for grant proposals and reports, donor correspondence, sponsorship materials, website content, social media, and campaign communications.
• Provide support for public-facing and behind-the-scenes activities, including performances, fundraising events, customer inquiries, venue setup and strike, auditions, and office cleanup days.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
• One to three years of experience in nonprofit administration, arts management, fundraising, education, or community engagement
• Self-starter with strong problem solving, time management, and organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, build relationships, and foster a positive learning environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software
• Passion for music, the arts, and community service
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work performance/event nights and weekends

Job Status

Status: Full-Time

Salary: $45,000 – $55,000 annually

Benefits: Symphony San Jose provides full-time employees with paid employee health insurance, federal holidays, vacation time, sick leave, and downtown parking.