Impact & Innovation Operations Manager

Description

Position Overview

The Impact and Innovation team at the San Diego Symphony leads the organization’s social impact and learning programs, building connections with cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and schools to advance the orchestra’s role as an international cultural ambassador, civic leader, and hub for local community activity. 

The Impact and Innovation Operations Manager is responsible for a portfolio of programs and operational systems that support the San Diego Symphony’s learning, wellness, community, audience engagement, and public impact work. This role manages program delivery, partner communication, school communication, front of house coordination, ticketing management, logistics, documentation, data tracking, and successful event execution.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced self-starter with the ability to manage multiple events and programs for families, schools, and the community. The role requires strong project management and problem-solving skills, excellent and empathetic communication, and to enjoy building relationships and leading collaboratively. The team is curious, loves to learn, and enjoys working together to solve complex challenges. A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is expected.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Manage a portfolio of recurring programs, including Pre-Concert Talks, Open Rehearsals, Monthly Yoga at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, Pre-Concert Activities, and Music Connects Tickets. 
• Guide day-to-day program delivery, timelines, logistics, internal coordination, partner communication, attendance tracking, and participant experience. 
• Exercise independent judgment in resolving school, partner, participant, and event-related issues within approved goals, budgets, and timelines. 
• Identify operational needs, partner feedback, participant experience issues, logistical constraints, and implementation improvements for programs within the portfolio. 

School, Partner, and Community Communication

• Serve as day-to-day relationship lead for schools, community partners, pre-concert activity partners, chamber visit hosts, and other external contacts connected to the department’s programs. 
• Manage communication with schools regarding Elementary School Program enrollment. 
• Coordinate school and partner details, including registration, attendance, accessibility needs, arrival logistics, schedules, site information, and follow-up. 
• Maintain accurate partner records, school enrollment lists, participant information, attendance data, and program documentation. 

Event Operations and Front of House Coordination 

• Coordinate closely with external partners to align logistics, timelines, partner needs, and event delivery. 
• Lead coordination with internal teams, including arrival experience, seating plans, access needs, ticket distribution, partner check-in, volunteer placement, signage, and event-day communication.

Administrative Systems, Data, and Reporting

• Maintain and improve administrative systems, including calendars, partner records, participant lists, event briefs, ticket counts, accessibility needs, vendor paperwork, survey tracking, attendance documentation, and reporting files. 
• Track and manage operational expenses, including check requests, invoices, supplies, receipts, and other relevant approved budget items. 
• Collect and organize surveys, attendance, participant feedback, partner data, photo releases, accessibility documentation, and reporting materials. 
• Prepare program statistics, partner information, attendance data, participant stories, and documentation to support grants, sponsorships, donor reports, and board materials. 

Volunteer and Event Support Supervision

• Schedule, brief, and supervise volunteers, interns, or temporary support staff for programs and events under their management. 
• Provide event-day leadership to ensure participants, partners, volunteers, and internal teams have the information and support needed for successful execution.

Requirements

Position Requirements

• 4+ years of relevant experience in program management, event operations, partner communication, community engagement, education programs, nonprofit administration, performing arts, or a related field. 
• Strong project management, logistics, communication, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage multiple timelines, and coordinate across departments. 
• Experience with ticketing, attendance tracking, front of house coordination, school communication, or community partner programs preferred. 
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office suite, required; Tessitura, Canva, and project management software, preferred. 
• Evening and weekend availability required.

Studies have shown that many people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The San Diego Symphony may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Compensation: $75,000.00 annually