Manager of Community Partnerships & Arts Advocacy

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing youth education, fostering systemic change, and preserving the vibrant cultural heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana, is entering an exciting new chapter under the transformative leadership of its new CEO.

Join a mission-driven team at the forefront of expanding access to arts education and driving cultural equity. We are seeking a strategic and visionary leader to develop and strengthen the Foundation’s role in youth engagement, education, and systemic impact. This is a unique opportunity to shape how the next generation experiences and sustains New Orleans’ cultural legacy while positioning the Foundation as a national model for arts-based education and community investment.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with expertise in coalition-building, advocacy, education policy, and strategic partnerships. You’ll work closely with a dynamic senior leadership team to ensure the Foundation’s work in youth education, cultural sustainability, and creative workforce development has lasting, measurable impact.

Job Description: Manager of Community Partnerships & Arts Advocacy

Reports to: Director of Programs & Community Partnerships [042025]
Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Programs & Community Partnerships
Salary Range: $55,000 -$70,000

Position Overview

The Manager of Community Partnerships & Arts Advocacy will play a vital role in strengthening the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s (NOJHF) role as a convenor, funder, and advocate for arts education, cultural equity, and artist sustainability. This position is critical to advancing the Foundation’s strategic framework by developing and leading coalition-building initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, and advocating for policies that enhance access to arts education and cultural preservation.

As NOJHFF moves to own and lead this work internally, this role ensures the Foundation maximizes its fundraising potential, deepens community relationships, and drives systemic impact.

Key Responsibilities

Coalition Building & Community Engagement (30%)

• Represent and manage the NOJHF’s role with the New Orleans Music Education Collaborative (NOMEC), bringing together key stakeholders in arts education to drive collective impact.
• Develop and execute strategies to expand NOJHF’s role as a hub for youth, after-school programs, and creative workforce development.
• Strengthen existing relationships with schools, artists, cultural organizations

Arts Advocacy & Policy Development (15%)

• Advocate for increased funding, policies, and public awareness in support of arts education, creative economy investments, and cultural preservation.
• Work closely with local and national arts advocacy groups to align NOJHFF’s work with larger state and federal funding opportunities.
• Represent NOJHF at public hearings, community meetings, and arts education forums.
• Provide information and collaborate with Development personnel and funders to establish a sustainable network of aligned resources and strategic investments.

Program Development & Strategic Partnerships (30%)

• Oversee & facilitate the development of pilot programs and partnerships that expand access to music education and cultural programming in priority communities.
• Collaborate with development personnel to identify and secure co-investment opportunities that enhance NOJHFF’s leadership position and attract multi-year, high-value grants.
• Collaborate with the Development team to craft compelling grant proposals and funding requests that align with NOJHF’s mission.

Research, Data, and Impact Measurement (25%)

• Track and measure the effectiveness of community partnerships and arts education initiatives, ensuring alignment with NOJHF’s long-range strategic goals.
• Develop reports and presentations to communicate program success and impact metrics to funders, board members, and stakeholders.
• Ensure NOJHFF’s advocacy work is data-driven and outcome-focused, positioning the Foundation as a thought leader in arts equity and cultural sustainability.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications

• Experience and/or knowledge in nonprofit management, cultural programming, education policy, or community engagement.
• Proven expertise in coalition-building, collective action networks (CANs), policy advocacy, and strategic partnership development.
• Strong track record of engaging diverse constituencies and collaborating with community-based organizations.
• Deep understanding of arts education ecosystems, creative workforce development, and cultural equity initiatives.
• Exceptional skills in public speaking, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in New Orleans’ cultural and educational sectors is highly preferred.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal arts funding opportunities.
• Experience in impact measurement, program evaluation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Familiarity with grant writing and fundraising strategy development.

Employee Benefits Overview

At the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, we value our team and strive to provide comprehensive benefits, including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous PTO to support personal well-being.

• Health Insurance: Coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including wellness visits and telemedicine.

• Dental & Vision Plans: Affordable options for preventative and major care.

• Health Savings Account (HSA): NOJHF contributes $1,325 annually to assist with out-of-pocket medical costs.

• Life & Disability Insurance: Basic life and AD&D coverage, with options for additional coverage.

How to Apply

For more information about the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, visit www.jazzandheritage.org.

We’re excited to meet candidates who are passionate about advancing youth education, driving systemic change, and expanding access to arts and cultural learning opportunities in New Orleans.

For the latest updates, visit our Career Opportunities page: https://www.jazzandheritage.org/about-us/career-opportunities/

Final round interviews will require up to 3-5 professional references, including:

• At least one direct supervisor.
• One colleague or team member.
• One additional professional stakeholder.

About the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s mission of celebrating and sustaining the vibrant cultural heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana. The Foundation’s iconic assets include the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Jazz & Heritage radio station WWOZ 90.7FM, and the Don 'Moose' Jamison Heritage School of Music, which provides free weekly music education.

The Foundation also supports a variety of impactful programs such as the Jazz & Heritage Concert Series, the Catapult Fund Small Business Accelerator, Class Got Brass, and Community Partnership Grants. These initiatives play a vital role in uplifting local artists, empowering underserved communities, and preserving the region’s rich cultural traditions.

As the Foundation continues to produce celebrated events like the Crescent City Blues Festival and Treme Creole Gumbo Festival, it remains focused on fostering education, economic development, and cultural programming. These efforts ensure New Orleans’ legacy as a global beacon of creativity and tradition while supporting the next generation of cultural bearers.

Jazz Fest, the Foundation’s flagship event and primary fundraiser, attracts global artists while showcasing Louisiana talent. Produced in partnership with Festival Productions Inc., Jazz Fest is accompanied by other year-round festivals and performances focused on supporting local artists and cultural traditions. The Foundation retains full ownership of all Jazz Fest-related copyrights, trademarks, and licenses, ensuring its sustainable future.

Education is central to the Foundation’s mission. The Don 'Moose' Jamison Heritage School of Music, housed at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center, offers free music education to youth, along with other initiatives such as vocal workshops, beginner music programs, and professional audio training.

The Jazz & Heritage Archive preserves and perpetuates Louisiana’s music, culture, and heritage as the institutional repository for the Foundation and WWOZ 90.7 FM. Housing physical and digital records since the Foundation’s inception, it supports award-winning media projects and collaborates with national archives and museums.

Founded in 1980 and owned by the Foundation, WWOZ 90.7-FM connects local and international audiences to New Orleans and Louisiana culture through live broadcasts and streaming of Foundation events. WWOZ’s mission is to be the worldwide voice and flag-bearer of New Orleans’ culture and musical heritage.

The Foundation also plays a key role in grant-making, ensuring the support of musicians, educators, cultural producers, and entrepreneurs by investing proceeds from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell directly into the community with grants to fund projects that support the Foundation’s mission.

Together, these programs and initiatives embody the Foundation’s mission to celebrate cultural heritage while fostering innovation and ensuring lasting cultural influence. For more information, visit www.jazzandheritage.org.

Salary : $55,000 - $70,000