School of Music Director

Caffè Lena, Inc.

Position Description: Caffè Lena School of Music Director

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a full-time position responsible for overseeing the administration, curating the programming, and implementing the strategic plan of the Caffè Lena School of Music. The School has two purposes: 

1) Broaden Caffè Lena’s community impact by engaging young families and older adults more deeply in the life of the organization. 

2) Invigorate the tradition of playing music as a lifelong social activity. Playing by ear, playing in groups, and learning a core curriculum of folk songs are fundamental goals. 

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Caffe Lena.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Program Oversight and Development

• Curation of a balanced roster of in-person, online, and archived video classes and events that engages the established student body and creates a pipeline of future students.
• Cultivation of a network of online and in-person teachers who draw attendance, provide excellent instruction and attract repeat students.
• Maintaining Caffè Lena’s high professional standards in the areas of pedagogy, communications, hospitality and event production.
• Developing partnerships with other community organizations and schools that serve similar populations, including collaborating on enrollment opportunities and the availability of scholarship support and loaner instruments.

Management and Supervision

• In partnership with the Executive Director, keeping the activities of the School in line with the overall strategic goals of Caffè Lena.
• Ensuring that all of the School’s teachers and volunteers, including the School of Music Committee of the Caffe’s Board of Directors, are informed about and engaged in its success. 
• Overseeing the recruitment, hiring and dismissal of teachers as needed, including negotiation of teachers’ contracts, and ensuring timely fulfillment of all obligations by and to teachers.
• Ability to facilitate solutions to personnel problems or student complaints as needed, including keeping the Executive Director informed of any challenges along these lines.
• Serving as house manager for School events: for in-person classes, work with teachers to see that the room is set up before the arrival of students and is reset after the class ends. For online classes, this includes running livestream cameras 
• Oversight of necessary repairs, upgrades and maintenance of the Caffè’s stock of loaner instruments.

Communications

• With an emphasis on tactful customer relations, serving as the main point of contact for students, parents and teachers.
• Work with Caffe staff to ensure that all external communication, including website, press releases, informational print materials and social media channels are in keeping with the School’s brand, values and strategic goals.
• Represent and speak on behalf of the School of Music with media and community partners. 
• Promote the visibility of the School in the broader community.

Fiscal Oversight

• Assisting the Caffe’s staff in creating an annual budget for the School.
• Working with staff, monitoring income and expenses on a quarterly basis and make short-term fiscal decisions. 
• Ensuring timely payment of teachers and vendors and submission of invoices for accounting.
• Working with the Board’s School of Music Committee to ensure that the annual budget supports mission success and the health and stability of the program.
• Allocation of scholarship funds as needed, and reporting to the Executive Director on the use of said funds.
• Partnering with the Executive Director in evolving new income streams and ensuring a positive relationship with existing funding sources.
• Conducting at least two fundraising initiatives annually to meet targeted revenue goals.

Required qualifications

• Working knowledge of current roots music and traditional folk music.
• Serve as a team player in a highly collaborative environment.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Physical effort and dexterity: this position will be required to occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds. Some stooping and kneeling will be necessary. 

Preferred qualifications

• Previous professional participation in the music sector: knowledge of musicians / potential teachers for both in-person and online classes; observance of national trends in music training.
• Experience in managing employees.
• Previous experience working in a non-profit organization.
• Knowledge of SalesForce and Mailchimp platforms.

Hours and Compensation

This is a full-time position that is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and New York Labor Law. It is expected to consume approximately 45 hours per week, on average. Position will require some weekend and evening hours and occasional travel. Compensation is $51,000 annually, plus benefits enumerated in PTO policy.