Director of Programs and Community Engagement

Applicants should visit https://www.thegrand.com/employment-opportunities/ for info on how to apply.

Position Summary
The Director supports The Grand 1894 Opera House’s mission by coordinating, expanding, and enhancing all student and community engagement programs. This position manages education-based initiatives including the Serious Fun Children’s Series, The Grand Kids Festival, ARToberFEST, and Summer Theatre Camp, while developing new opportunities for students, teachers, and artists to engage meaningfully through workshops, residencies, masterclasses, and performances.
The ideal candidate is an organized and collaborative professional who thrives in a fast-paced arts environment, can manage multiple projects simultaneously, and is passionate about connecting diverse audiences with the performing arts.

Reports to: Executive Director

Direct Reports
• Seasonal and contract education staff
• Interns and volunteers assigned to education programs
• & Box Office Team Member (Shared with BO Manager)

Job Responsibilities
Education & School Partnerships
• Serve as the primary liaison with schools across Galveston County for Serious Fun field trips, residencies, and workshops.
• Coordinate directly with touring artists to create meaningful in-school and on-site experiences such as masterclasses, workshops, and residencies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with teachers, principals, and district administrators to align programming with educational goals and community needs.
• Establish and facilitate a Teacher and Administrator Advisory Network to guide future student programming.
• Collaborate with school district representatives to manage outreach, scheduling, ticketing, and logistics for all student-based performances and events

Program Development & Implementation
• Develop and launch a comprehensive annual calendar of student-based events, including workshops, residencies, masterclasses, and performance opportunities for K–12 and college students across the Galveston region.
• Coordinate partnerships with higher education institutions including UTMB, Galveston College, College of the Mainland, and Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) to create custom programming, student ticketing packages, and campus ambassador initiatives.
• Support the development and launch of new educational programs and at least one curated minifestival or special event each year in alignment with The Grand’s strategic plan.
• Maintain effective systems for program evaluation, participant feedback, and attendance reporting.
• Work collaboratively with the Marketing and Development departments to promote programs and share success stories.

Festival & Camp Oversight
• Oversee coordination and execution of The Grand Kids Festival, ARToberFEST, and Summer Theatre Camp, including logistics, staffing, volunteer coordination, artist communication, and community engagement.
• Manage budgets, sponsorship fulfillment, and grant compliance for all education and festivalrelated projects.
• Lead planning meetings, track deliverables, and ensure on-time completion of all festival and camp components.
• Serve as an on-site representative during events, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and organized environment for participants, artists, and guests.

Community & Artist Engagement
• Foster relationships with touring companies, community partners, and cultural organizations to build collaborative education and outreach opportunities.
• Represent The Grand at community and educational events, maintaining visibility and building goodwill with educators and families.
• Work closely with production and hospitality staff to ensure artist and participant needs are met during educational programs and residencies

Professional Conduct and Interpersonal Expectations
Ethics and Integrity
• Conduct all duties with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
• Maintain confidentiality of organizational information and respect privacy in all professional interactions.
• Demonstrate good judgment and adhere to all policies, procedures, and legal or safety standards governing the workplace.

Kindness and Respect
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and courteous environment for patrons, colleagues, volunteers, and community partners.
• Approach every interaction with empathy, patience, and professionalism—especially in highpressure or public-facing situations.
• Value diverse perspectives and experiences, treating all individuals with fairness and dignity.

Collaboration and Teamwork
• Communicate clearly and constructively, working cooperatively toward shared goals.
• Offer support and assistance to fellow team members and contribute positively to a culture of mutual respect and problem-solving.
• Demonstrate adaptability, flexibility, and a willingness to help where needed for the overall success of The Grand 1894 Opera House