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The Role
Plans and coordinates public programs, community events, and engagement initiatives. Builds relationships with community organizations, municipalities, nonprofits, vendors, and partners; represents Caramoor externally; coordinates outreach, logistics, timelines, and on-site execution; tracks participation and feedback; and collaborates across departments to create accessible, welcoming experiences.
Summary Generated by Built In
Department: Public Programs, Learning, Guest Experience
Supervisor: Director of Guest Engagement, Learning, & Public Programs
Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $26.00 per hour
The Community Engagement and Public Programs Manager reports to the Director of Guest Engagement, Learning, & Public Programs and supports the planning and execution of accessible public programs and community engagement initiatives that deepen audience connections, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and advance Caramoor’s mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and engaging relationship-builder who is comfortable speaking to groups, cultivating community partnerships, working across departments, and serving as a professional ambassador for Caramoor. This position requires regular evening and weekend work.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Community Engagement & Collaboration
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with community organizations, municipalities, nonprofits, and other community partners.
- Serve as an ambassador for Caramoor in the surrounding community, representing the organization at community meetings, events, and other external opportunities as appropriate.
- Identify prospective collaborations and outreach opportunities that can increase awareness of Caramoor, encourage participation, and deepen connections with the surrounding community.
- Maintain regular communication with community partners and gather input about community interests, needs, barriers to participation, and potential opportunities for collaboration.
- Coordinate with Marketing on outreach efforts designed to engage communities that may not currently participate in Caramoor’s programs.
- Identify opportunities for Caramoor to participate in community events and initiatives throughout the region and coordinate participation as appropriate.
Public Programs & Community Activations
- In collaboration with the Director, support the development of public programs and community engagement initiatives that advance Caramoor’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Coordinate the planning and execution of public programs including the Juilliard Extension lectures, experiential classes, family programs, etc. and community-focused events and initiatives, including an annual neighborhood block party, Summer Open House, Día de los Muertos, etc.
- Identify and recommend opportunities to incorporate community partners, local organizations, and interactive activations into Caramoor concerts, festivals, and public programs.
- Develop program timelines and work plans and coordinate with Marketing & Communications on outreach and promotional needs.
- Manage event logistics for assigned public programs and community activations, including partner and vendor communication and on-site execution.
- Help ensure programs and engagement opportunities are welcoming, accessible, and responsive to the communities Caramoor seeks to engage.
Internal Coordination & Administration
- Collaborate with colleagues across other departments to coordinate community engagement activities and partnerships.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of agreements, outreach activities, participation, and engagement efforts.
- Track participation and other established program metrics and collect qualitative and quantitative feedback from participants and community partners to help evaluate effectiveness and inform future planning.
- Stay informed about local events, public programs, organizations, and community developments, track their metrics, and bring forward ideas and opportunities for consideration by the Director.
- Other related duties, as assigned.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Customer Service & Communication
Must have a friendly and professional attitude and work well with others, with strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Minimum of 3 years’ experience in community engagement, event management and/or public relations is preferred.
Administrative Skills
Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic. Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and new opportunities. Ability to work on a variety of assigned tasks and maintain confidential information. Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision. Proactive problem solver with a positive outlook and can-do attitude.
Working Conditions
Ability to work in a busy office environment, maneuver outdoors (in all weather conditions) on 80 acres of woodland trails, gravel pathways and gardens. Must be able to work evenings and weekends. Ability to lift/move up to 25lbs. Valid driver’s license. Authorization to work in the U.S. is required.
About Caramoor
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a vibrant cultural destination where music, art, and nature come together on an historic 81-acre campus of gardens and woodlands in Katonah, New York. Founded in 1946 by arts patrons Walter and Lucie Rosen, Caramoor has evolved into one of the region’s most distinctive nonprofit cultural organizations, welcoming audiences of all ages through world-class performances, cultural engagement, and opportunities for discovery and connection.
Each year, Caramoor presents a dynamic range of live performances spanning classical, opera, jazz, American roots, global music, and the American songbook. Its acclaimed Summer Season features outdoor performances across multiple unique venues, while the Rosen House Concert Series offers intimate concerts throughout the fall, winter, and spring inside the historic Rosen House, a Mediterranean-style villa filled with art and treasures from around the world. In addition to more than 50 concerts annually, Caramoor presents nearly 100 public programs each year, including family programs, wellness offerings, educational experiences, tours, lectures, and community events designed to engage visitors of all ages. Caramoor also serves as a sought-after destination for weddings, private celebrations, and corporate events, offering unforgettable experiences in a uniquely inspiring setting.
Guided by its mission to present exceptional music, mentor emerging artists, preserve and interpret its historic site, and foster meaningful connections with the community, Caramoor is committed to creating welcoming and inspiring experiences for audiences, artists, students, guests, and staff alike.
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, supported in large part by the generosity of its donors, members, sponsors, and community.
Caramoor joins with those who seek to promote equality, eradicate injustice, and support inclusion. As in a choir, our world benefits from a multitude of voices coming together in harmony.
Caramoor is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO); this means that all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, advertising, hiring, training, promotions, compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, disciplinary action and discharge shall be conducted on the basis of qualification and ability without regard to actual or perceived race, religion, political affiliation, disability, sex (including sexual violence and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or any reproductive health decisions, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, color, age, weight, national origin, citizenship, familial status, marital status, domestic victim status, military and veteran status or any other basis protected by law.
We pledge to uphold equality in our hiring and employment practices, and to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work.
Skills Required
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Friendly, professional, collaborative attitude and ability to work effectively with others
- Organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to work independently
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and solve problems proactively
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in community engagement, event management, and/or public relations
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Ability to work outdoors in varied weather and navigate woodland trails, gravel pathways, and gardens
- Ability to lift or move up to 25 pounds
- Valid driver's license
- Authorization to work in the United States
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The Company
What We Do
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a vibrant cultural destination located on a historic 81-acre estate in Katonah, NY. Its mission is to enrich the lives of audiences through innovative and diverse musical performances of the highest quality, mentor young professional musicians, and engage children through interactive educational experiences. The center hosts a wide array of concerts, programs, and events within its unique gardens and historic venues.
