School Services District Manager

District Manager

Music & Arts is the nation's leading partner in K–12 music education. Our District Managers serve as regional business leaders who develop high-performing Education Account Manager (EAM) teams, elevate educator engagement across school districts, and drive rental, repair, and product growth throughout their assigned territory.

As a District Manager, you are the strategic integrator who ensures operational excellence, sales discipline, and cultural alignment across your district. You coach and develop field account managers, strengthen relationships with educators and administrators, and partner cross-functionally with stores, repair centers, logistics, and customer support teams. Your leadership directly impacts the health of school music programs and expands student access to music education — while driving measurable business results.

Essential Functions (not all-inclusive):

• Recruit, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Education Account Managers.
• Conduct structured field rides, performance reviews, and skill development sessions.
• Strengthen role clarity, productivity rhythms, and accountability across the team.
• Build a positive, collaborative environment centered on service, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Sales Execution & Pipeline Governance

• Ensure districtwide commitment to pipeline hygiene, contact cadence, opportunity staging, and documentation accuracy in Salesforce.
• Lead weekly pipeline reviews and quarterly business reviews with each Ed Account Manager.
• Drive expansion of Music & Arts' footprint through disciplined prospecting, territory planning, and new program creation.
• Monitor performance against plan and execute real-time adjustments to achieve rental, repair, and product sales targets.

Educator Experience & Service Delivery Oversight

• Champion educator satisfaction by ensuring timely resolution of rental, repair, and product issues across the district.
• Partner with Regional Logistics Coordinators, stores, repair shops, and customer service to ensure seamless service.
• Identify systemic friction points and lead corrective action planning.
• Ensure district teams consistently deliver the professional, responsive, high-ownership experience expected by K-2 partners.

Territory Optimization & Growth Strategy

• Assess school and district-level potential using prioritized lists, CRM data, and internal market analytics.
• Build and execute an annual territory growth plan that expands Music & Arts' reach and deepens educator partnerships.
• Support Ed Account Managers in gaining access to district administrators, expanding program adoption, and strengthening long-term relationships.

Community Engagement & Store Activation

• Drive alignment between Education Account Managers and local Music & Arts / Guitar Center stores.
• Support execution of educator nights, community events, back-to-school campaigns, and recruitment initiatives.
• Promote in-store educator resources, coupons, and promotional programs that enhance traffic and build brand visibility.

Culture & Leadership Behavior

As a leader within Music & Arts culture, the District Manager is expected to:

• Lead with optimism, professionalism, and a service mindset.
• Model accountability, consistent cadence, and operational discipline.
• Address negativity, disengagement, and performance gaps with clarity and urgency.
• Coach for continuous improvement and reinforce productivity expectations.
• Promote collaboration across departments and champion peer success.

About Music & Arts

Music & Arts embodies the world of creativity and music by encouraging our teammates to find their own individual sound. We strive to create lifelong musicians and make a difference in the world by enabling musicians and non-musicians alike to experience the almost indescribable happiness that comes from playing an instrument. We believe in putting our customers first, engaging with respect and integrity and fulfilling our mission with passion.

The first Music & Arts was located in a small house in Bethesda, MD and run by founder Benjamin O'Brien. When Music & Arts opened its doors in 1952, we offered printed music, music lessons, dance lessons, and art supplies. Ben decided shortly after opening his business that he wanted to focus on music to better serve his customers -- a decision that remains intact to this day.

Since the 1990's, Music & Arts has expanded nationwide through organic growth and a series of acquisitions and mergers with other music dealers. In 2005, Music & Arts joined forces with American Music to become the largest band and orchestra instrument retailer in the United States. Based in Frederick, MD, Music & Arts is now part of the Guitar Center enterprise and comprises 225+ retail stores, 200+ educational representatives, and 250+ affiliate locations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or 4+ years equivalent sales/leadership experience.
• 4+ years managing remote field or B2B sales teams.
• Proven track record of developing talent and driving performance through structured coaching.
• Experience managing sales pipelines, forecasting, and CRM systems (Salesforce preferred).
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel extensively throughout assigned district.
• Ability to lift/move up to 50 lbs. and work evenings/weekends during peak seasons.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with K-12 music educators, schools, or public-sector institutions.
• Background in multi-territory sales management or field-based leadership.
• Proven capability coaching representatives to high productivity cadences.
• Bilingual capability (especially Spanish).

Why Music & Arts? Here's just some of the rewards:

Pay Rate: $80,000 - $85,000 annually plus commission depending on location, background, and experience. This position also includes a company vehicle. For our employees who are musicians we offer the unique opportunity of gig leave--take time off to share your music with the world and return to your job after your tour! Music & Arts offers robust benefits and perks, including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K plus company match, mental health support, paid sick/holiday/vacation time, employee discount program, and tuition reimbursement options. The job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education, and other factors. The pay ranges listed are provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different in other locations.

Guitar Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides fair and equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status prohibited under Federal, State, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on valid job‐related requirements.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to View email address on click.appcast.io