Education Manager

Education Manager

Reports to: Senior Director of Community Impact (through April 2027); Executive Director (beginning May 2027)

Start date: July 1, 2026

The Education Manager is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of all aspects of Savannah Music Festival's Musical Explorers, Explorer Pass, and other programs for school age students. This person is organized and can keep track of multiple priorities, with the competence to lead multiple seasonal contractors year-round. He/she/they have a clear vision for the direction of SMF's school programs, and are mindful of new opportunities to engage with students, teachers, and families during the spring festival and throughout the year. They are a caring and respectful ally of educators, and appreciate the complexities of early elementary education, from the experience inside the classroom to the challenges of school and curriculum administration. The Education Manager keeps DEIA+ at the forefront of every program decision, and is a generous collaborator, both inside and outside the organization. He/she/they are constantly seeking opportunities to improve the experience of program participants, and to further engage with the Savannah community. He/she/they are a flexible and generous colleague and excellent communicator, both inside and outside the organization. This person is an active contributor to the organization's goals for education and community engagement programs.

Role and Responsibilities

Musical Explorers:

• Hire and oversee contractor(s) for yearly curriculum planning, writing, and design, ensuring deadlines are adhered to and strategic goals met
• Recruit, register and retain schools/teachers, in line with program goals
• Hire and supervise contracted Musical Explorers concert director
• Manage school registration and seat reservation, scheduling of contractors, advance meetings with venue and production staff and training of front-of-house and volunteer staff
• Manage annual Professional Development sessions
• Manage the Musical Explorers WINGS classroom instructor
• Act as main liaison with teachers, school administrators, curriculum consultant(s) and Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute
• Work with Artist Relations team on artist contracts, travel arrangements and schedules
• Ensure adequate program documentation through photo/video/audio
• Explore opportunities to connect with Savannah students, teachers and families, including off-season concerts/events/collaborations, and strategize on best ways to connect ME audiences with 17-day festival and other community impact programs
• Ensure all digital assets are functional and up-to-date
• Coordinate evaluation process with third-party evaluation firm
• Manage data collection, including demographic information and evaluation outcomes, and provide data as needed to funders and stakeholders
• Collaborate with development team on grant opportunities, providing data, program insights and budgets
• Other duties as assigned

Annual Festival:

• Coordinate student groups and ticket promotions for students and educators
• Promote Explorer Pass and festival lineup to SCCPSS students, faculty, and families
• Act as the main liaison for children, teachers, and families at festival concerts
• Act as lead producer for student ensembles performing at the spring festival, including advance with schools and SMF production
• Identify opportunities for family engagement at spring festival, and work with SMF production team to execute those opportunities
• Track numbers of Explorer Pass patrons at festival concerts, in coordination with SCAD box office
• Other duties as assigned

General Administration:

• Create annual budget for Musical Explorers and Community Engagement activities, in consultation with Executive Director
• Work with marketing team on program promotion and materials design, including the review and selection of promotional images and quotations
• Build relationships with peer music education and nonprofit professionals
• Stay up-to-date on developments and trends in early music education; seeking out professional development activities as needed
• Hire contractors as needed for Musical Explorers, festival and other education events
• Other duties as assigned

Traits and Qualifications

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. As no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply if you feel that much of the following matches your experience:

• A proven commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as an understanding of how these values contribute to program success and sustainability
• Bachelor’s degree required
• 2 years in program administration, preferably in a non-profit setting
• Excellent communication and creative writing skills
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills
• A deep curiosity about all kinds of music
• Adept at managing long- and short-term goals and projects
• Experience in the early elementary classroom a plus, but not required
• Ability to build relationships among teachers, families, artists, school administrators and community stakeholders
• Ability to work respectfully with others and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with Savannah-area schools and SCCPSS a plus
• Lived experience in the community that SMF Community Impact serves, or similar community, is ideal
• Detail oriented in internal and external communications
• Flexibility, patience, and grace under pressure
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
• Proficient in the use of Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Mac OS and Zoom
• Proficiency in Canva and Adobe Suite a plus
• All applicants must have a valid driver’s license and submit to a criminal background check and drug test

Compensation and benefits

Benefits package for the full-time, exempt position includes paid time off, and employer contribution to medical, dental and vision care, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, simple IRA plan and parking. The salary is $45,000.

Savannah Music Festival is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

To Apply: Please send current resume and cover letter to ***email_hidden*** by May 22, 2026. No calls, please.

The Organization

The Savannah Music Festival (SMF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting world-class celebrations of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah. SMF started as Savannah OnStage International Arts Festival in 1989 with the vision of bringing high-quality artists from around the world to perform in Savannah’s Historic District. The organization operates year-round to plan and produce an annual multi-day, multi-venue music festival, off-season concerts, broadcast programs and free music education programming focused on youth.

The annual springtime festival presents a diverse selection of music genres, including classical, jazz, American, and international roots music. The festival features original productions, cross-genre collaborations, free artistic lectures and Q&As, and commissioned works that are staged at various venues throughout Savannah. With its performances and education programming, SMF serves annually, on average, more than 40,000 music enthusiasts from many backgrounds, locations, and age ranges. In 2019, SMF attracted patrons from more than 40 states.

SMF’s local education programs, Musical Explorers and SMF Jazz Academy, serve the Savannah community, reaching students and teachers at more than 50 public, private, and home schools in urban and rural settings across Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh (GA), Beaufort, and Jasper (SC) counties. On average, more than 80% of participants attend Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS).