Director of Community Engagement

The Director of Community Engagement is responsible for fostering strong community partnerships and programs aimed at addressing a wide range of shared community goals and needs in and around Cincinnati, while developing raised community awareness of and stronger affinity for the Orchestra. Reporting to the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, the Director develops and supports the execution of programs that utilize CSO musicians and resources towards enhancing the vibrancy of Cincinnati neighborhoods, creating cross-cultural understanding, promoting diversity and inclusion, and highlighting existing community assets such as artists, organizations and venues through creative collaborations.

The Director’s goals are achieved through several core programs including the Brady Block Parties, CSO Neighborhood Connection residency, the Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC), Community Advisory Council (CAC), and Classical Roots. The director will also be responsible for informing, researching, and executing future opportunities that serve the Orchestra’s strategic priorities. This position is a key public-facing representative of the CSO and maintains relationships with a wide range of external constituents. The Director must be an effective project manager and organizer, a strong communicator, and a detail-oriented planner/administrator. 

• Develop, plan and execute neighborhood, community and inclusion-based arts initiatives in collaboration with community partner organizations, CSO musicians, and local artists.
  • Serve in a leadership role to plan and execute the Brady Block Party series.
  • In collaboration with Artistic Planning Department, plan and execute the MAC Music Innovator (MMI) Artist-in-Residence program.
  • Identify, connect with and recruit potential programming partners with whom to collaborate on residencies and other community projects.
  • Engage a wide range of community members in identifying local community goals and determining ways in which the orchestra can  help address them through music programs.
  • Remain highly responsive to a variety of music programming needs and preferences from a wide range of community constituent groups; mobilize CSO resources to meet needs when appropriate.
  • Plan and execute other community-based music events.
• Serve as lead staff liaison for the CSO Multicultural Awareness Council (MAC).
  • Meet and communicate regularly with MAC leadership and volunteers to support MAC goals and initiatives. 
  • Support MAC chairs and committee in recruiting volunteers who are passionate about diversity in classical music, and work with Volunteer Manager to ensure onboarding, training and retention. 
  • Coordinate MAC Award for Diversity & Leadership in the Arts selection process with MAC leadership .
• Serve as lead facilitator and staff liaison for the CSO Community Advisory Council (CAC).
• Oversee the Volunteer program and works with the Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator to implement volunteer initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate collaborations with Marketing, Communications and Data Management staff to ensure effective print, digital, web, and social media marketing content/delivery, communications and ticketing for all community engagement events and programs.
• Lead in the development and implementation of external cultural recognition events such as Pride, Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.
• Collaborate with Artistic and Operations staff to plan production support for events, as needed.
• Develop and deploy evaluation tools to measure impact and output of all programs; analyze and interpret data and feedback to inform future work.
• Maintain current records of community engagement activity and musician services using orchestra and patron management databases.
• Communicate regularly with Orchestra members to share community engagement musician personnel needs and confirm event details/logistics.
• Attend and/or ensure adequate administrative staffing needs are met for frequent night and weekend activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervises: Community Engagement Manager; Volunteer & Community Engagement Coordinator; and Community Engagement Intern

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a community engagement role; similar orchestra administration or arts related community engagement preferred.
• Knowledge of symphonic music, basic orchestra operations knowledge, and experience working with professional musicians preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage strong partnerships with community organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Experience advancing multiple projects and programs simultaneously by determining and managing workflow, timelines, and budgets with accuracy and enthusiasm.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for community engagement programs and must have access to reliable transportation to a wide variety of work locations.
• A demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• Experience collaborating cross departmentally to maximize program effectiveness.

Reports to: Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer