Piano, Voice, and Guitar Program Manager

National Guild for Community Arts Education; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 43,200 - 52,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off and sick leave

Paid holidays and winter break

Job summary

National Guild for Community Arts Education is searching for a full-time Piano, Voice, and Guitar Program Manager to oversee all instruction related to these instruments.

The Program Manager will coordinate programming, manage communication with parents and teachers, and assist with logistics for classes and events. The role requires strong organizational skills, a musical background, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse families.

The position offers a salary of $48,000 annually, alongside various benefits including medical and dental insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Communicate effectively with parents, students, and teachers.
• Adapt to changing circumstances and learn new tools.

Responsibilities

• Create and manage class schedules and room reservations.
• Communicate program details to families.
• Coordinate logistics for concerts and performances.
• Ensure students and faculty have necessary materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Proactive and self‑directed

Highly organized and detail-oriented

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Skilled at distinguishing between urgency and importance

Flexible and collaborative

Genuine commitment to Merit’s mission

Musical background

Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish and Mandarin)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training

Job description

Merit School of Music seeks a full‑time Piano, Voice, and Guitar Program Manager to support the school’s continued operation of all piano, voice, and guitar instruction. The Program Manager is the first point of contact for coordinating instruments and supplies, managing daily programming logistics, and facilitating communication with parents, students, and teachers.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Proactive and self‑directed, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented – you have a system, you trust it, and things don’t fall through the cracks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a timely, professional, and warm approach to correspondence
• Skilled at distinguishing between urgency and importance, and comfortable adjusting as both shift
• Flexible and collaborative, with a willingness to learn new tools and pitch in across projects
• A genuine commitment to Merit’s mission and to dignity‑centered communication with students, families, and colleagues
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience

• Musical background
• Bilingual or multilingual – Spanish and Mandarin are especially valuable in this role, as many families communicate primarily in one of these languages

Responsibilities

• Class and Activity Scheduling – 35%
  • Create and manage class schedules and room reservations
  • Manage class rosters, placement recommendations, and student attendance
  • Assist with scheduling private lessons and classes
  • Support summer camp programming
• Faculty and Family Communication – 30%
  • Communicate program details – including classes, lessons, events, and concerts – to piano, voice, and guitar families, and facilitate timely communication with faculty
  • Support student adherence to Merit’s class and lesson attendance policies
• Event Planning and Support – 15%
  • Coordinate logistics for concerts and performances, including stage diagrams, program creation, and run of show
  • Support student recruitment events
• Instrument, Music & Supply Coordination – 10%
  • Work with Merit’s librarian to ensure students and faculty have the materials they need, including sheet music, instruments, and supplies
• Other Duties as Assigned – 10%

Compensation

Base salary: $48,000 per year, based on experience.

Schedule

Full‑time: 37.5 hours per week. Typical academic‑year schedule (September–May):

Monday – Tuesday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Wednesday: Off
Thursday – Friday: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday: Off

Summer schedule (June–August): Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Friday, 9:00 am–12:00 pm.

Staff work a hybrid of remote and in‑person hours; the supervisor determines arrangements. This position is not eligible for paid overtime; compensatory days may be granted in consultation with the Program Director.

Benefits

• Medical insurance (BCBS HMO and PPO) – 80% of employee premiums, 50% of dependent premiums paid by Merit
• Dental insurance (Delta HMO and PPO) – 80% of employee premiums, 50% of dependent premiums paid by Merit
• Vision care (EyeMed)
• Voluntary life insurance (Mutual of Omaha)
• Paid time off: one day per month in the first year; one and a half days per month in the second year; accrual continues through the seventh year
• Paid sick leave: one hour per 40 hours worked, in accordance with Chicago Paid Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance
• Eight paid holidays plus company‑wide paid winter break (Christmas through January 2)
• 401(k) plan with 3% employer contribution after one year of employment
• Benefits eligibility begins 30 days after hire, following the first of the month

Equal Opportunity Statement

Merit School of Music is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including African American, Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women, as well as individuals who identify as trans or gender nonconforming.