Music Director

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA) is seeking a collaborative, creative, and spiritually grounded Director of Music Ministries to help shape inspiring worship experiences and cultivate a vibrant congregational music program. This part‑time leadership role oversees UUCA’s music ministry, including our volunteer adult choir, congregational music experiences, professional and volunteer guest musicians, existing ensembles, and collaboration with worship leadership. The Director of Music Ministries will help the congregation find and express its musical voice through worship, community, and artistic collaboration. This is an ideal opportunity for a skilled musician and relationship‑builder who thrives in collaborative environments and believes music is central to spiritual life, connection, and transformation. Position Highlights Hours: 25 hours per week Compensation: $30–$35 per hour, based on experience and qualifications Professional Expenses: $4,500 annual professional expense allowance for continuing education, professional development, conferences, and related ministry expenses Retirement Benefits: Employees who complete 1,000 hours of service within a 12‑month period are eligible for participation in the UUA Retirement Plan, including an 8% employer contribution with no employee match required Time Off: Eligible for prorated vacation and holiday pay as outlined in UUCA’s personnel manual Reports to: Senior Minister Supervises: Accompanist, guest musicians, and volunteer music ensembles Schedule: Includes Sunday mornings, Wednesday evening choir rehearsals, worship planning meetings, and occasional special services/events throughout the church year About UUCA’s Music Ministry UUCA’s music ministry currently includes a volunteer adult choir, an in‑house rock band, and a variety of guest musicians, ensembles and smaller musical collaborations that contribute throughout the church year. We envision continued growth in congregational music‑making, including opportunities for a youth choir, additional ensembles, intergenerational participation, and expanded multicultural musical expression. Our sanctuary houses a 1917 Steinway A grand piano, a mounted electronic keyboard, handbells, hand chimes, percussion instruments, and a sophisticated sound and multimedia system that supports both in‑person worship and weekly livestream production. The choir currently sings approximately every other Sunday during the program year, as well as for special services and events including Christmas Eve and the Moravian Love Feast. Choir rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 PM, along with brief Sunday rehearsals prior to worship services. Key Responsibilities Worship & Music Leadership Plan and lead music for Sunday worship services in collaboration with the ministry team, worship staff, and worship associates. Help create meaningful, engaging, and spiritually grounded worship experiences through music. Inspire and support strong congregational singing and participation. Bring a broad range of musical styles, traditions, and cultural perspectives into worship. Support UUCA’s commitment to anti‑racism, anti‑oppression, and multiculturalism through thoughtful and inclusive music programming. Schedule and coordinate musicians, ensembles, and guest artists throughout the church year. Support and collaborate with UUCA’s existing ensembles, volunteer musicians, and emerging musical initiatives. Prepare music programming for special services and events including Christmas Eve, Music Sunday, Easter Sunday and the Moravian Love Feast. Conduct weekly choir rehearsals and lead the choir in worship services. Foster a welcoming, affirming, and musically enriching rehearsal environment. Provide vocal leadership and musical coaching appropriate to the experience level of volunteer singers. Encourage the development of musical participation and leadership across generations within the congregation. Support healthy relationships, collaboration, and community within UUCA’s music ministry. Participate in weekly worship planning meetings and collaborate closely with staff and volunteers. Reports to the Senior Minister. Communicate clearly and consistently with musicians, staff, and volunteers regarding schedules, rehearsal plans, and worship preparation. Maintain and organize music resources, sheet music, and related materials. Oversee the music ministry budget in alignment with UUCA’s financial policies and approved budget. Prepare periodic reports and planning materials as requested by congregational leadership. Participate in the Association of Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries (AUUMM) as budget allows. Contribute positively to UUCA’s staff culture through collaboration, professionalism, and shared ministry. Qualifications Experience conducting choirs and leading rehearsals, preferably in congregational, school, community, or volunteer‑based settings. Strong musical knowledge and skills across a variety of musical genres and traditions. Ability to arrange and re‑arrange hymns and musical offerings to build a contemporary and diverse musical program. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with staff, volunteers, and musicians. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. Commitment to creating welcoming and inclusive musical environments. Ability to balance artistic excellence with warmth, flexibility, and accessibility. Familiarity with worship planning and collaborative creative processes preferred. Proficiency with Google Workspace, Zoom, and basic administrative and communication tools. Experience working in Unitarian Universalist or other progressive faith communities is a plus. Core Competencies Musical Leadership Demonstrates excellence as a conductor, rehearsal leader, and worship musician. Balances musical quality with encouragement, accessibility, and joy. Builds strong working relationships with staff, volunteers, and musicians through clear communication, reliability, and shared ownership of worship experiences. Cultural Fluency Embraces a broad range of musical styles and traditions and supports UUCA’s commitment to anti‑racism, anti‑oppression, and multicultural inclusion. Creativity & Adaptability Brings imagination, flexibility, and thoughtful preparation to worship planning and music leadership. Responds constructively to evolving needs and opportunities. Joyful Presence Creates spaces where people feel welcomed, inspired, and connected through music. Leads with warmth, humility, and authenticity. Organizational Stewardship Demonstrates responsible planning, time management, and stewardship of congregational resources while supporting the long‑term health of UUCA’s music ministry. Requirements Must pass a background check. Must be available for Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, weekly one‑on‑one with supervisor, weekly worship team meetings and major worship services during the church year. Reliable transportation required. Must be fully vaccinated for COVID‑19 vaccination including future boosters as available. Equal Opportunity Employment UUCA fosters an inclusive, discrimination‑free environment where employees are encouraged to bring their full selves to work. We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you need accommodation for any part of the application process, please let us know. Location North Druid Hills, GA #J-18808-Ljbffr Auumm