Program Manager, Sistema Ravinia (Chicago West Side Nucleo)

Ravinia Festival Association • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager oversees the overall program planning and operations for Sistema Ravinia’s program sites on the West Side of Chicago. They are responsible for guiding the implementation of programmatic design and operations while cultivating a vibrant community where students, families, staff, and partners thrive. This role combines strategic program leadership with hands-on operational management, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality music education grounded in El Sistema principles.

As a key member of the Sistema Ravinia leadership team, the Program Manager leads a team of instructors and administrative staff toward shared program goals, guides program quality and growth, and fosters collaborative relationships with school and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings exceptional organizational abilities, resourceful problem-solving skills, and clear, approachable communication. They excel at balancing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment, remain adaptable to evolving program needs, and hold an unwavering belief that every child can achieve musical excellence.

Requirements

• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to facilitate positive interactions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to initiate, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks
• Access to reliable transportation to travel between program sites and events
• Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education, or Bachelor of Arts Administration/Management preferred) or equivalent job experience
• Three to five years related work experience, including people management experience
• Strong background in music education programs and/or youth programming

Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Development:
• Lead from a set of shared values and principles that create an inclusive culture
• Instructor recruitment, oversight, and evaluation
• Administrative team management (2 full time and 2 part time staff)
• Evaluate, support, and mentor direct reports including administrative and teaching staff
• Program Design & Management:
• Manage program planning, implementing goals and needs within an ascribed budget
• Oversee overall nucleo effectiveness and evaluations with a focus on student recruitment, retention, assessment and well-being
• Collaborate with the Artistic Manager and teachers to implement an innovative curriculum
• Develop yearly program calendars and weekly instructional schedule
• Oversee successful events, concerts, and trips
• Collaborate with the Site Manager and RTP Operations Manager to ensure processes for efficient and effective operations
• Creative and authentic implementation of El Sistema ideals
• Stakeholder Relationships & Community Engagement:
• Serve as program liaison for all stakeholder groups
• Partnership development with schools and community organizations
• Parent and family engagement
• Communicate program goals, expectations, schedules and needs to stakeholders
• Developing performance opportunities with community partners and organizations

Benefits

• Excellent health and welfare benefits including comprehensive time off, generous retirement savings plans, learning and mentorship opportunities, access to various staff working groups, and a general admission season pass to Ravinia events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees