Job Description:
Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 13 bachelor degrees and 38 majors.
Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.
Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.
Mount Royal University’s (MRU) Conservatory has played a pivotal role in Calgary’s performing arts scene since 1911, enabling people of all ages and abilities to take part in the performing arts. No other performing arts organization has a comparable history or serves as large and diverse a community, from early childhood education through all stages of life. As an educational leader and innovator, it is the largest institution of its kind in Canada; the Conservatory is unique in the breadth and scope of its programming.
Reporting to the Conservatory Director, this position works directly with Conservatory orchestra and choir directors, staff in the Conservatory office, the Conservatory instructors, as well as Event and Theatre Services and Facilities Management. The Program Coordinator (Orchestra and Choirs) is responsible for the administration and coordination of the Conservatory’s orchestra and choir programs, artistic performance and community outreach activities, as well as supporting internal and external Conservatory marketing and communications. This includes planning and monitoring orchestra and choir course budgets, schedules, student recruitment and enrollment, and performance logistics. New course, program, and outreach opportunity identification and development, including formal and informal needs assessment, is ongoing. Participation as a team member in daily procedures, meetings, committees, and special events is also required. The incumbent is required to work with confidential information and must exercise discretion and tact. The work involves demanding and competing deadlines and requires a high level of accuracy and thoroughness.
This position is a full-time role working 35 hours per week.
Please note that there is a strong internal candidate for this position.
Artistic and Instructor Support and Coordination
Program and instructor support
- Working with Conservatory Director, orchestra and choir directors, and Event and Theatre Services, determine and manage annual performance schedules.
- Support Conservatory orchestra and choir directors and instructors to plan, prepare, and deliver Conservatory performances at MRU and in the community.
- Coordinate with ETS to arrange concert venue booking.
- First point of contact for any student, parent, artist, coach, instructor, coordinator or the general public who has questions or concerns about the Conservatory’s orchestra and choir programs. This is achieved by holding regular office hours and being available to accommodate after hours needs when required.
- Assemble, coordinate and disseminate information from the orchestra and choir directors, faculty members, students, prospective students, and Conservatory support staff to facilitate maximum efficiency of their time and Mount Royal University facilities.
- Recommend activities, program structure and schedules. Compile and distribute brochures, update website information, and initiate instructor contracts.
Budgeting
- Working with the Conservatory Director, develop a revenue generating budget and appropriate course fee structure for the Conservatory’s orchestras and choirs
- Assist Conservatory Director and ensemble Directors to plan, develop, monitor and report on all Conservatory ensemble-related financial activity.
- Consult with key stakeholders to prepare and monitor quarterly projections and budget allocations ensuring that the Conservatory ensemble financial records are accurate and complete.
- Complete orchestra and choir director contracts.
- Monitor payments, invoices, and other operating budget items for areas of responsibility to ensure accuracy.
- Maintain and manage budgeting to allow for recruitment and outreach support for the Conservatory as a whole through marketing, performances, and events.
Program Planning and Development
- Assess the feasibility and community need for new courses and programs through market research in conjunction with the Conservatory Director, ensemble directors, Marketing/Communications Unit, and advisory/education committees.
- Prepare budget projections for new programs/courses for review by the Conservatory Director.
- Prepare documentation for new course/program approval process.
Scheduling
- Working with the Program Assistant - Facilities, schedule orchestras and choirs to ensure smooth progression for completion
- Schedule rehearsals and performances and arrange appropriate facilities, audio-visual, and other resources
- Work with administrative support services (Academic Scheduling, Registration Services, Security, Printing Services, Library, Bookstore, Food Services, Student Awards and Financial Aid, and Wellness Services) as required to ensure effective and efficient program, course and activity support.
Student Liaison
- Respond to potential students' enquiries.
- Listen and respond to student's concerns about courses/programs.
Assessing and Evaluating Courses/Enrolments
- Monitor course enrolments, withdrawals and refunds.
- Maintain accurate course information and statistics as required for partner agencies/sponsors/associations
- Ensure all course details are arranged (e.g. audiovisual equipment, course change/cancellation forms)
- Monitor class waiting lists.
- Ensure course materials are duplicated and distributed and that copyright laws are followed.
- Respond to student inquiries, requests for information and complaints.
Competency in Banner
- Efficiently utilize the Banner and DestinyOne systems to:
- Complete and submit contracts for the orchestras and choirs as needed
- Meet deadlines required for all information needed to populate Banner and DestinyOne to allow for student registration.
- Effectively utilize all Banner reports.
Community Outreach and Engagement
- Identify and develop community outreach and engagement opportunities for the Conservatory and Conservatory students.
- Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
- Work with the Conservatory Faculty and Staff to develop and plan recruitment for the Conservatory programs and partnerships.
- Grow and expand awareness of the Conservatory both within the MRU community and throughout the greater external community.
- Build outreach concert opportunities through promotion and recruitment
Marketing and Communications
- Work with the Marketing/Communications unit in developing and implementation of marketing strategies and specific program/course/seminar/event promotion (may include brochures, newspaper ads, web page development, direct marketing materials) to broaden Conservatory enrollment and registrations..
- Develop and maintain the Conservatory events webpage and other events tracking documents
- Develop appropriate advertising copy, brochures and flyers in conjunction with the Marketing/Communications Unit
- Ensure mailing lists are maintained for promotional mail outs.
- Arrange telephone and in-person contacts with people in the business community to:
- Create awareness of current course offerings.
- Determine training opportunities and needs.
- Identify areas for new course offerings.
- Keep abreast of course enrollment trends.
- Liaise with appropriate academic departments/chairpersons to gain input and suggestions for course offerings as required.
- Coordinate with MRU Foundation regarding donor engagement opportunities associated with Conservatory performances and events
- Review processes and provide recommendations to implement improvements
Other duties as assigned.
- Undergraduate degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum two to three years in music education / arts programming / adult / continuing education
- Previous experience in the areas of relationship building and project management.
- Ability to work independently and self-motivate
- Ability to work in a team and manage multiple tasks with interruptions
- Ability to coordinate and plan projects
- Ability to understand and develop budgets
- Ability to solve problems
- Creative, versatile, and entrepreneurial individual with exceptional communication, customer service, and critical thinking skills.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of the music community, performances, programming, and opportunities within Calgary and surrounding areas.
Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions.
At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.
Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre.
Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.
MRU supports full immunization as the best way to protect yourself and our campus community and strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19.
Union: MRSA
Position Class: Academic Support VIII (SAC08)
Salary: $59,675 – 75,507
Closing date: June 4, 2023
A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus. Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.
