Job Description

The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc. (“JALC”) is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy. From college students to young stars, from working professionals to celebrated masters, we present quality jazz for an ever-increasing audience in an unprecedented range of activities and a variety of venues. We are dedicated to lifting audiences and bringing people together with substance and with integrity. JALC has created a dynamic platform where our key constituents – jazz artists (beginner to grizzled veteran), fans (casual listeners to advanced scholars), educators (local band leaders to leading artist-educators) and advocates (local community advocates to important national promoters) – can meet, engage, learn, and work towards common objectives.

Reporting to the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Director of Jazz Culture and Engagement for Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) will combine HR knowledge and experience with the principles of jazz music to help the Leadership Team create a high-impact, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic organization. This person will assist the CHRO and Leadership Team in building a culture of professionals who are committed to the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This position is responsible for implementing strategies to build a culture that promotes, embraces, and celebrates jazz music across the organization. The Director will liaise with JALC’s programming and education teams to ensure that JALC maintains the celebration of excellence that defines its legacy to date.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify ways to imbue the meaning and message of jazz music more deeply in the JALC culture and help lead a cultural change agenda.
• Work with the CHRO to implement best practices for JALC’s HR policies and across core HR competencies including goal-setting and annual reviews, training and development, and team building.
• Work with the CHRO and an internal culture advisory council to support the implementation of the JALC DEI Action Plan.
• Use the foundations of jazz music (improvisation, swing, and the blues) along with Wynton Marsalis’s “12 Principles” as the organizing principle to develop a set of employee programs (events, workshops, and activities) and professional development strategies (e.g., identify ways to incorporate engagement with jazz and JALC’s programs into each employee’s annual development plan).
• Champion the interaction and collaboration inherent in jazz music as a platform and vehicle to encourage open and honest communication, trust, mutual respect, collaboration, and candor throughout the organization.
• Represent the organization at industry conferences, community events, and panel discussions to highlight JALC’s approach towards embedding the spirit of jazz throughout our culture.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote diversity in programming and hiring practices and to ensure equitable opportunities for all stakeholders.
• Support fundraising by illustrating the value and impact of embedding the spirit of jazz in our culture and managing in “the jazz way.”
• Work with the CHRO to design and implement mechanisms to collect, assess, and share feedback across all levels and departments, through surveys, focus groups, and community forums.

Qualifications and Key Competencies:

• Knowledge: A deep understanding, appreciation, and love of jazz music and an understanding of the potential to utilize its unique qualities to enhance our culture is a prerequisite for this job.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, human resources, social sciences, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in employee engagement and organizational development, preferably in the performing arts or nonprofit sector, and a proven track record of successfully managing HR program implementations.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of jazz and the performing arts landscape and the unique challenges of this industry.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Proficiency in project management and organizational development.
• Ability to engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including artists, staff, board members, and the public.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and develop actionable strategies.

Key Competencies:

• The Director of Engagement will lead initiatives that foster inclusive participation and meaningful community connections, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and a deep awareness of social justice issues as they relate to the performing arts.
• Leadership and advocacy for marginalized voices.
• Creativity and adaptability in problem-solving.
• Empathy and active listening.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for the performing arts and its potential to drive social change.

Work Environment:

This role involves a mix of on-site and community-based work. The right candidate will embrace the opportunity to attend performances, rehearsals, and classes. Evening and weekend availability may be required based on the organization’s schedule.

Work Hours

JALC does not offer a hybrid work schedule. All staff work together as a team, Monday through Friday at our offices (either Jazz at Lincoln Center’s administrative offices at 3 Columbus Circle or at Frederick P. Rose Hall, The House of Swing ).

Jazz at Lincoln Center is an equal opportunity employer that affords equal opportunities to all applicants, employees, contractors, and other covered persons, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Jazz at Lincoln Center is committed to creating an inclusive, open, and respectful culture that reflects and embraces diversity.

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