Music Education Partnerships Manager (Full-Time Chicago, IL)

ABOUT THE ROLE

NEMC (National Educational Music Company), part of Ensemble Performing Arts, supports school music programs nationwide by connecting educators, local dealer partners, and lesson programs.

As a Music Education Partnerships Manager, you are responsible for building and growing a territory—working directly with music educators, affiliate dealers, and Ensemble lesson locations to strengthen programs and expand student participation in music.

This is a field-based role where you own your territory and are responsible for driving growth across rentals, lessons, and program participation. This is a full-time remote position with regular required travel within the Chicago, IL region.

What You'll Do

• Build strong relationships with music educators, school leaders, and administrators

• Serve as the primary point of contact for school music programs in your territory

• Grow instrument rental participation by working closely with educators and engaging families

• Develop and expand relationships with affiliate dealers, including identifying new local partners

• Help connect students from school programs into Ensemble lesson schools

• Plan and support key events such as recruitment nights, parent nights, and instrument trial events

• Manage your territory plan, track activity, and follow up consistently to drive results

• Coordinate with internal teams to support delivery, service, and program needs

What Success Looks Like

• You build and grow a high-performing territory

• Educators trust you as a go-to partner

• Rental participation increases across your schools

• Affiliate dealer relationships are active and productive

• More students participate in lessons and stay engaged in music

Must-have Qualifications

• Experience working with school music programs, music educators, or a closely related environment

• Proven ability to manage and grow a defined territory, including driving participation, revenue, or business outcomes

• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to establish trust and maintain long-term partnerships

• Experience operating independently in a field-based role

• Strong communication, organization, and follow-through

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel within a defined territory

• Ability to lift and transport instruments and equipment (up to 50 lbs)

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in music education, performance, or the music industry

• Experience working with K–12 schools, districts, or arts programs

• Prior experience in outside sales, account management, or territory-based roles

• Experience building new relationships and developing partnerships from scratch

• Familiarity with school-year cycles and seasonal recruitment periods

• Experience with CRM tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar)

• Track record of meeting or exceeding performance goals in a territory-based role

Why Join Ensemble & NEMC

In this role, you directly support local music programs—helping educators, schools, and partners ensure more students can start and stay in music.

We provide the tools, structure, and support—you bring the ownership, focus, and execution to build and grow your territory.

Our mission is to empower artists by safeguarding the businesses that love them♡ Our values include:

• Stewardship: We take pride in caring for our schools, educators, and communities — building trusted relationships that help students start and stay in music.

• Growth: Skilled relationship-builders drive our success. We invest in professional development and territory strategy to grow rentals, referrals, and dealer partnerships across a growing network.

• Stagehands: Our field team works behind the scenes, but the impact is front and center — keeping programs running smoothly so teachers and students can shine.

We offer:

• $45,000 - $65,000 base salary annually, plus performance-based incentive compensation

• Monthly vehicle allowance plus coverage for travel and business-related expenses

• Health, dental, and vision benefits

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid time off and holidays

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

• A culture focused on service, accountability, and continuous improvement

The posted salary range is provided in compliance with applicable laws and may vary based on location, experience, and qualifications. Total compensation will depend on individual performance and territory growth.

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Ensemble Performing Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or disability status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.