What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager of School Programs position at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts?
The Ordway: The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is one of the leading performing arts centers in the United States and a catalyst for vibrant arts in Minnesota. Powered by hundreds of talented and dedicated staff members and volunteers, the Ordway is renowned for its multidisciplinary programming, welcoming atmosphere, and comfortable environment. The Ordway welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds for year- round eclectic and entertaining offerings, including Broadway musicals, concerts, dance, vocal artists, and new works. Performances take place in the 1,900-seat Music Theater and a 1,100-seat Concert Hall. The Ordway serves tens of thousands of students and families each year through its arts education and community impact programs, and is a proud member of the Arts Partnership, a collaboration comprising the Ordway, Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club.
Position Purpose: The Manager of School Programs is responsible for managing the experience and administration of Ordway’s PreK-12 school performances series and providing departmental support of programming, arts education & community impact initiatives with a goal to reach 50,000 students annually. This includes ticketing, marketing, & logistics needs related to the School Performance Series and support of Flint Hills Family Festival, St. Paul Honors Concert, and other related events/activities. The Manager of School Programs also supports the department administratively, supports artist visits and community events, manages annual qualitative and quantitative impact tracking, and serves as the team lead for AudienceView, our ticketing system.
Position Details:
• Posting Date: 11/21/25 - The Ordway is dedicated to building an equitable environment and strongly encourages applications from populations underrepresented in the theater field.
• Employee Type: Salaried, Full-time
• Pay: $59,500 - $66,500 annually
• Department: Education
• Reports to: Director of Arts Learning and Community Outreach
Key Performance Areas:
• Lead administration of the School Performance Series educational performances, including the school week of the Flint Hills Family Festival. This includes marketing initiatives, sales & ticketing, logistics, and on-site leadership.
• Manage logistics for education performances through the year to ensure high caliber and inclusive experience for all.
• Collaborate with Ordway Staff on special events, workshops and community engagements that engage Minnesota audiences.
• Provide administrative management for the Programming, Education and Community Impact Department.
• Develop and maintain ticketing & data integration practices for the Education and Community Engagement team.
Other Qualifications:
• Three to five years’ experience in arts administration, non-profit or K-12 education preferred.
• High school diploma or GED, B.A. or B.S. in related field preferred.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Experience working in AudienceView or other ticketing platforms a plus.
• Experience and commitment to arts & culture education, particularly the Prek-12 system.
• Marketing (print/email/messaging)experience, arts preferred.
• Ticketing experience in an organizational environment, arts preferred.
• Understanding of Minnesota’s public school landscape. Direct experience working with schools is a plus.
• Experience with diverse populations and inclusive commitment to work well across all cultural backgrounds.
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic, active environment. Able to keep multiple projects and deadlines moving forward simultaneously.
• Experience with gathering data to track and show impact through various means.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and an independent self-starter.
• Ability to respond kindly when interacting with youth and educators. Ability to confidently represent the organization in a wide variety of settings and constituencies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Intermediate Excel). Able to use technology resources in support of larger goals effectively.
• High degree of sensitivity for confidentiality.
• Ability to compose, write and edit reports and documents with excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as needed.
To Apply: For more information or to apply, visit ordway.org/employment.
Ordway is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, age, local human rights commission activity, national origin, and veteran, or disability status. The Ordway Theater and administrative office are wheelchair accessible and service animals are welcomed. All applicants who have questions or needs regarding access accommodations or interpreting assistance for job interviews are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources.
We know there are great candidates who may not fit into the criteria we’ve outlined here, or who have important skills we haven’t listed. If that’s you, please don’t hesitate to apply anyway and tell us about yourself.
Salary : $59,500 - $66,500
