Community Engagement Associate

Location: Savannah, Georgia
Term: Part-time (full-time beginning July 1, 2024)
Reports to: Director of Education & Community Engagement
Start date: January 13, 2024

Position Description:

The Community Engagement Associate is responsible for connecting Savannah Music Festival’s programs, including the 17-day spring festival, with the greater Savannah community. Building on existing relationships, this team member will help expand and enhance the organization’s strategic goal to foster and engage a broader, more diverse audience. Savannah Music Festival is developing a comprehensive community engagement strategy that includes collaborations with Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS) and other educational institutions as well as a variety of diverse cultural and civic organizations. This position will help shape and continue the development of unique community-building strategies throughout Savannah.

Role and Responsibilities:

Manage group sales and ticket promotions for students and educators
Promote festival lineup to SCCPSS students, faculty, and families
Act as main liaison with teachers, SCCPSS students and SCCPSS staff at festival concerts
Review festival assets and adapt as necessary for student audiences
Recruit participants for and manage SMF’s student volunteer program, SMF Ambassadors
Coordinate student ensembles performing at the spring festival
Support the organization’s marketing efforts by researching individuals, community groups, organizations, social media platforms, etc. to cultivate audience members for specific programming, and develop new relationships in order to sustain audience growth and diversity
Track numbers of new attendees at festival concerts, and report on program success
Connect with other SMF education programs to cross-promote festival and other engagement opportunities
Actively participate in SMF DEIA efforts and initiatives

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 preferred
1-2 years sales experience, preferably with group sales
A deep curiosity about all kinds of music
Excellent communication and creative writing skills
Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills
Ability to build relationships among teachers, families, artists, school administrators and other community stakeholders
Ability to work respectfully with others and meet deadlines
Flexibility, patience, and grace under pressure
Familiarity with Savannah-area schools and SCCPSS a plus
Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
Proficient in the use of Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Mac OS and Zoom
All applicants must have a valid driver’s license, regular access to a car, and submit to a criminal background check and drug test

Compensation and Benefits:

This is a part-time position with an average of twenty hours a week. More hours will be required leading up to and during the 17-day festival, March 23 – April 8. The hourly pay rate is $20.00. This will become a full-time position on July 1, 2024.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to jobs@savannahmusicfestival.org. We welcome applications from BIPOC candidates and others underrepresented in the arts.

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.

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).