Strings and Orchestra Program Director

Strings & Orchestra Program Director

Full-Time Position Announcement

Chicago, Illinois

DESCRIPTION

Merit School of Music seeks a full-time Strings & Orchestra Program Director to lead strings and orchestra programming across four areas: Merit Music in Communities, Private Lessons, Instrumental and Vocal Music, and the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-Free Conservatory. The Director oversees the faculty and staff who bring high-quality string instruction to students at Merit's West Loop home, its branches, and partner sites across Chicago.

In collaboration with the Dean and Vice President for Educational Affairs, the Director guides the educational vision for Merit's strings and orchestra programs and brings it to life day to day: scheduling classes, rehearsals, and lessons; hiring and developing qualified teaching artists for every program; managing the Strings Program Manager and branch staff; and overseeing program budgets and records. The right candidate is an organized, thoughtful leader who works closely with colleagues across departments, all in service of a meaningful, inclusive learning experience for every student.

A genuine commitment to Merit's mission of expanding access to high-quality music education and to upholding the dignity of those around us is essential.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Merit School of Music is a nationally accredited community music school headquartered in Chicago's West Loop, with additional branches in Chicago’s Old Town and South Shore neighborhoods. Merit’s primary goals are to help young people transform their lives and grow through music by providing access to sustained participation. For more than 45 years, Merit has been home to a diverse community of talented young musicians and has served as a springboard for them to achieve their full musical and personal potential. Our 125+ passionate, experienced teaching artists provide access to high-quality music education, engaging 2,500 to 3,000 students annually through programming at three branches and in 25+ schools and community centers across the Chicago region.

Merit students, who reflect Chicago's socioeconomic and ethnic diversity, have the rare opportunity to learn together, dream together, teach each other, and broaden their horizons as they build inspiring lives through music. Merit develops musicians and equips young people with the tools they need to excel in life; virtually 100 percent of Merit graduates attend conservatories or colleges, with 50 percent studying music at the postsecondary level.

Merit School of Music is committed to building a world where historically underrepresented groups can attain access to quality music education. At the same time, Merit strives to be an organization that genuinely reflects Chicago’s richly diverse community. Merit is dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and anti-racist organization and continually examining our efforts in this area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Strings & Orchestra Program Director reports to the Dean and Vice President for Educational Affairs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Responsibilities of the Strings & Orchestra Program Director include, but are not limited to:

Faculty Management and Oversight – 30%

• • Recruit, hire, onboard, and train string faculty in partnership with Human Resources
  • Build and manage faculty teaching schedules for private lessons, group classes, and Conservatory programming at Merit’s West Loop campus, branches, and community sites
  • Observe teaching regularly and provide clear, timely feedback that supports faculty growth and upholds instructional quality in collaboration with Merit’s String Department Chairs
  • Address faculty performance concerns directly and consistently, partnering with Human Resources on corrective action when needed
  • Ensure mission alignment and consistent program standards across all sites

Program Planning and Oversight – 25%

• • Plan and schedule Instrumental & Vocal Music, Conservatory, and Merit Music in Communities programming, including the annual class schedule, concerts, and performances
  • Oversee curriculum implementation and lead periodic updates that keep instruction aligned with Merit’s continuum of instruction
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with families, ensuring clear and timely communication about classes, lessons, and events
  • Maintain existing Merit Music in Communities partnerships and cultivate new ones as opportunities arise
  • Collaborate with fellow Program Directors on shared initiatives, including recruitment events and summer programming

Program Administration – 20%

• • Manage strings program budgets and ensure faculty payroll is accurate and on time
  • Support attendance management and track private lesson completion, holding faculty and staff accountable for accurate records
  • Partner with Student Services, Marketing, and other departments to keep shared workflows running smoothly

Staff Management – 15%

• • Supervise, coach, and develop the Strings Program Manager and branch personnel
  • Delegate clearly, set priorities, and help direct reports manage their workloads
  • Hold team members accountable to expectations through consistent, timely feedback

Other Duties as Assigned – 10%

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Must-Have Characteristics

• • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience
  • 4+ years of experience in arts administration or a related field, including management or leadership responsibility
  • Proven people manager; has supervised staff or faculty, including people with working styles different from their own, and knows when to coach, when to delegate, and when to hold firm
  • Sound, mission-driven judgment; makes careful decisions that balance people, process, and priorities, and is comfortable saying no when it serves students and the program
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented; manages a significant workload accurately and on time, moving easily between big-picture planning and fine detail
  • Skilled at prioritizing for themselves and their team; keeps perspective under pressure
  • Collaborative partner across departments; understands how their work connects to and affects others’ work, and navigates shared processes with care
  • Experience working directly with teachers, students, and families
  • Proficient with Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, SharePoint, Excel, and Teams) and eager to adopt new tools
  • Curious and quick to learn; asks thoughtful questions and builds a strong working knowledge of Merit’s programs and procedures
  • Committed to Merit’s mission of access and excellence, and to communicating with dignity and respect in all interactions with students, families, faculty, and staff

Preferred, But Not Required

• • Degree in music or music education, or a background as a string player or teacher
  • Knowledge of string pedagogy and familiarity with orchestral music or the Suzuki method of teaching and learning
  • Strategic planning experience
  • Strong writing skills
  • Experience with Asana or Amilia SmartRec

SCHEDULE

At Merit School of Music, 37.5 hours constitute a full-time work week. The typical schedule during the academic year (September through May) is as follows:

• • Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  • Sunday and Monday: Off

During the summer months (June through August), the schedule shifts to Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Friday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Some late evenings are required for special events. While this position is not eligible for paid overtime, comp days are available in consultation with your supervisor.

Merit currently operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees and their supervisors determining all hybrid and remote arrangements. During the first three to six months of employment, in-person work of approximately four days per week is expected for onboarding and training.

TECHNOLOGY IN HIRING

At the Merit School of Music, we believe in a human-centered recruitment process. While our team occasionally leverages generative AI tools to assist with administrative tasks, such as formatting job descriptions or summarizing interview notes, we do not use algorithms, automated screening software, or AI platforms to evaluate, rank, or screen applicants. Every application and hiring decision is reviewed and made entirely by humans.

• • The first 90 days of employment are considered a probationary period. Employees are eligible to participate in Merit’s employee benefits package 30 days from the date of hire, following the first of the month. For example, an employee starting on August 2 would begin their insurance benefits on October 1.
  • BCBS medical insurance (HMO and PPO options), Delta Dental (HMO and PPO), with 80% of employee premiums and 50% of dependent premiums paid by Merit.
  • EyeMed vision care and Mutual of Omaha voluntary life insurance coverage are offered at the employee’s expense.
  • One day of paid time off (PTO) earned for each month worked during your first year. One and a half days earned per month in your second year. Annual PTO accrual continues to increase through the seventh year of employment.
  • One hour of paid sick leave earned per 40 hours worked, according to the Chicago Paid Sick & Safe Leave Ordinance.
  • Eight paid holidays plus a company-wide paid winter break (Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day).
  • Following one year of employment, you will be eligible to participate in Merit’s 401(k) plan, including a 3% employer contribution.

Further information on our benefits package and employee policies is available upon request.