Community Programs Manager

Job Description

<p><p><b>E</b><b>mployment Opportunity – Job Posting for the Education & Community Engagement Department</b></p>
<p><b>Community Programs Manager</b></p>
<p>For over a century, the <b>Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO)</b> has played a fundamental role in shaping and celebrating Canadian culture. The TSO’s commitment to musical excellence and ability to spark connection remain as strong as ever. With a storied history of acclaimed concerts and recordings, Canadian and international tours, and impactful community partnerships, we are dedicated to engaging and enriching local and national communities through vibrant musical experiences.</p>
<p>Music Director Gustavo Gimeno brings an expansive artistic vision, intellectual curiosity, and sense of adventure to programming the 93-musician Orchestra that serves Toronto—one of the world’s most diverse cities. The TSO performs over 100 concerts annually, offering a variety of programming from the classical to music composed in our time.</p>
<p>As a group of artists, teachers, and advocates who share the belief that music has the power to heal, inspire, and connect people from all walks of life, we engage audiences young and old through an array of community-access, health-and-wellness, and education initiatives including the TSO-affiliated Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra—a tuition-free training program dedicated to cultivating the next generation of Canadian artists.</p>
<p><b>Join us for a </b>concert at Roy Thomson Hall, or experience the TSO in your neighbourhood. Visit TSO.CA or newsroom.tso.ca.</p>
<p><b>Reports To</b> Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement</p>
<p><b>Status</b> Permanent Full-time</p>
<p><b>Start Date: March 9, 2026</b></p>
<p><b>Salary Range: $60,000 to $70,000</b></p>
<p><b>Benefits: </b>100% company paid benefits including Telus-Health Employee Family Assistance program (provided after successful completion of the first three (3) months of employment); Company paid pension contributions provided after the completion of one year of employment; 3 weeks vacation prorated during the first year; Complimentary tickets to TSO concerts; and a hybrid work environment.</p>
<p><b>Position Summary:</b></p>
<p>Working collaboratively with the rest of the Education & Community Engagement team, the Community Programs Manager oversees all aspects of the TSO’s community engagement programs with an immediate priority to grow the TSO’s presence in select communities in the GTA through concerts and community initiatives. This new position is responsible for project managing the TSO’s evolving community programs, as well as the TSO’s relationships with community partners.</p>
<p><b>Major Duties and Responsibilities:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Manage the development, growth, and execution of the TSO’s community run-out concerts – currently serving Brampton – with plans to expand to Markham and Scarborough, and requiring research, site visits, and meetings with community organizations;</li>
<li>Create relationships with community organizations with the goal of developing music-based community serving initiatives in Brampton, Markham, and Scarborough;</li>
<li>Oversee the delivery of existing TSO community engagement programs including TSOUND Connections, Art of Healing, Symphony for the Soul, and Symphony Storytime;</li>
<li>Lead planning on programming for the TSO’s annual Open House in collaboration with the rest of the Education & Community Engagement, Marketing, Development, Artistic, and Operations teams;</li>
<li>Manage the TSO’s community access program, which provides subsidized or complimentary concert tickets to community organizations working with equity deserving populations in the GTA;</li>
<li>Develop relationships and programs in select GTA communities that deepen the TSO’s reach in the areas of youth music and music and health.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Nature and Scope of Responsibility:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Works closely with the Education & Community Engagement Coordinator to organize program format, logistics, scheduling, communication, and booking of guest artists and/or musicians for community engagement programs;</li>
<li>Works closely with community partners to develop programs and concerts that connect with specific communities;</li>
<li>Develops and monitors budgets for community engagement programs, and supports the Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement in projecting annual budgets;</li>
<li>Works collaboratively across all departments to share the impact of the TSO’s community engagement initiatives with internal and external stakeholders including donors, board members, patrons, musicians, staff, and media;</li>
<li>Works in close collaboration with the Artistic and Operations teams to determine optimal scheduling for concerts and activities, guest artist and musician engagement, and to enhance community engagement connections with mainstage concerts;</li>
<li>Supports and advises on the TSO’s Education & Community Engagement strategy and planning, alongside the Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement;</li>
<li>Designs program evaluation tools that support funder requirements and program improvement;</li>
<li>Analyzes audience and program feedback to determine overall impact, and makes appropriate adjustments to concert programs and community programming.</li>
<li>Acts as an ambassador for the TSO at community events to promote the TSO’s community engagement priorities;</li>
<li>Supports the Education & Community Engagement team in planning and executing core programs such as the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, Young People’s Concerts, Relaxed Performances, and School Concertn</li></ul>
<p><b>Experience & Qualifications:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Minimum 3-5 years experience in arts administration and/or managing arts-based education or community programs;</li>
<li>Post-secondary degree in music, education, or a related field;</li>
<li>Significant background or training in music is essential. Knowledge of orchestral music is an asset;</li>
<li>Demonstrated success in understanding, developing, and sustaining working relationships with community partners, artists, and colleagues;</li>
<li>Excellent project-management and problem-solving skills with strong time management, organizational abilities, and attention to detail;</li>
<li>Passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles with an openness to continuous learning;</li>
<li>Reliable and collaborative, possessing sound judgment and the ability to communicate sensitive information;</li>
<li>Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment and respond calmly to challenging situations;</li>
<li>A valid vulnerable sector screening or willingness to complete one is required.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>How to Apply:</b></p>
<p>Please go to the TSO web-site https://www.tso.ca/employment to submit your cover letter and résumé through the ‘Apply Now’ button. Submissions are accepted until <b>Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.</b></p>
<p>HR screeners via google meet will be conducted on Wednesday, February 4 or Thursday, February 5, 2026.</p>
<p>Round 1 interviews (in-person) will be held on Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10, 2026.</p>
<p>Round 2 finalist interviews (in-person) will be held on Wednesday, February 18 or Thursday, February 19, 2026.</p>
<p>TSO thanks all candidates for their interest, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.</p>
<p>The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the City of Toronto and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide unique perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.</p>
<p>The TSO is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, the TSO will work with you to meet your needs.</p>
<p>NOTE: TSO does not utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the hiring process.</p>
<h3>Working Conditions/Physical Demands</h3>
<ul>
<li>The TSO maintains a hybrid work environment with the ability to work remotely as well as in the office.</li>
<li>Flexibility in working hours is required and includes evening and weekend work in order to build and maintain relationships and respond to community needs. Major events include community run-out concerts, TSYO Camp Weekend, TSYO auditions, Open House, and Young People’s   </li>
<li>Travel around Toronto and the GTA is required to be present at community engagement activities.</li>
<li>Performs concert duty for all Education, TSYO, and Community Engagement events, as well as some non-education concert duty on evenings and weekends, which is shared on a rotating basis with other TSO Operations, Artistic, and Education staff.</li>
</ul></p>
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