Director of Innovation

DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION

About Us

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educational and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide—on average—over 560,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 155,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. The staff, board, and teaching artists have a shared commitment to advance equity in the field of education by working tirelessly to generate opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

Job Description:

The Director of Innovation oversees the development and implementation of a number of emerging lines of business at Arts for Learning. The DoI works directly with the Chief of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships to ensure new partnerships and initiatives are designed equitably, are financially viable, and mission-aligned.

This is a full-time, exempt position and is not eligible for overtime. The Director of Innovation reports to the Chief of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives.

Responsibilities Include:

Developing New Program Models

• Support the Chief, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships in all aspects of the conversion of a Baltimore City School to a charter school.
  • Serve on the steering committee/working groups.
  • Oversee the planning of programs at the school.
  • Contributing to the writing of the charter application.
  • Organizing and/or attending community/school events.
• Lead the exploration of opportunities prioritized under new strategic plan, including but not limited to new lines of business like technical assistance and coaching and highschool apprenticeship programs. Specifically the exploration of a High School Apprenticeship and workforce development program in high schools would include:
  • Understand the funding landscape and opportunities for business development in the area of apprenticeships with the increased focus on workforce development in public education.
  • Develop partnerships with schools interested in apprenticeship opportunities.
  • Develop budgets for apprenticeship programs that are financially viable.
  • Recruit and support partners as needed to support the apprenticeship program.
• Develop pitch decks and presentations and other collateral materials as needed to support business development goals.
• Attend meetings with potential partners.
• Assist the Chief of Innovation as new opportunities arise in analyzing and prioritizing innovations that further the mission of the organization and advance our equity goals.

Monetizing Proprietary Material

• Develop business plans to monetize or sell A4L solutions to be implemented by others. This includes specifically the Arts for Learning planning app (www.plana4l.org), SALA/ASALA models, Teaching Artist Training and asynchronous/virtual training content.
• Create the documentation, content delivery mechanisms, and backend systems needed to support this new type of product.
• In collaboration with the communications team and/or an outside consultant, develop a comprehensive marketing plan, and a system of tracking progress.
• Research to understand competition in the marketplace for these products.
• Develop funding models for these products that are financially viable.
• Actively seek out opportunities to market and sell A4L products and services.

Supporting Existing Innovation Programs

• Lead the ongoing refinement of planA4L.org, soliciting feedback from users to understand how to improve the site.
• Collaborate with multiple external contractors (Algoworks, Cumulus, etc.) to implement changes and improvements to plana4l.org.
• Support major initiatives within our community schools as needed.
• Understand the opportunities for A4L to present at conferences etc. both in Maryland and nationally. Ensure staff are presenting at these conferences.
• Serve as emergency support for Arts for Learning’s Community Center at Goodnow.
• Provide administrative leadership and support to the innovation department and its programs including budgeting, operations, and customer relations.

Qualifications:

• Significant experience (5+ years) designing, implementing, and growing programs in the education field.
• Experience securing funding (both earned and unearned) to adequately resource programs to achieve the best outcomes.
• Strong commitment to the power that the arts and teaching artists can play in transforming education.
• A commitment to integrating social justice and race equity within education and the arts.
• Understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias, and its impact on policies and practices, especially related to the administration of public education.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Excellent leadership and collaboration skills
• Self starter; much of the work will be self-directed
• Salesforce experience
• Proficient with Google Suite

Compensation:

We offer a starting annual salary of $84,900.00 and an attractive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision health care coverage; retirement contributions; paid sick leave; and vacation time.

To Apply:

For consideration, please apply on our website at artsforlearningmd.org. Please do not send applications that include headshots or photos of yourself. No phone calls or recruiters, please. All employees will be subject to a federal and state background check in accordance with state and federal law.

Arts for Learning Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to cultivating a diverse workforce and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, veteran status, and disability. All qualified applications will be given equal opportunity.