School Experience & Engagement Manager – Full Time Exempt
The Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), an innovative organization located on Stolp Island in the Fox River in the heart of the richly diverse community of historic Aurora, Illinois (one hour from downtown Chicago), is seeking a part time School Experience & Engagement Manager. ACCA is the parent organization, which also includes a 501(c)3 arm under the name of Paramount Arts Centre, Inc. It operates four performance venues: the 7,500-person RiverEdge Park, the 1,843-seat landmark Paramount Theatre, the 165-seat, newly renovated Copley Theatre, and the brand new Stolp Island Theatre: a 9,000 square foot development that includes an intimate 98-seat 4,600 square foot theater. ACCA produces and presents over 500 performances each year, including star-studded touring productions, a self-produced Broadway Series of musicals (which has the largest theater subscription base in the country) and an intimate experience of Million Dollar Quartet for an annual audience of 350,000 patrons from over 250 communities. ACCA proudly operates the Paramount School of the Arts in the John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, right next door to Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. Paramount Theatre also hosts free community events, $1 Classic Movie Mondays and its opulent interiors provide a spectacular backdrop for private functions such as wedding receptions or corporate galas. Across the street from Paramount Theatre are the gorgeous Meyer Ballrooms, which play host to multiple wedding receptions and rental events throughout the year.
The Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority is committed to being a defining catalyst for personal and community transformation by:
· making the performing arts accessible for every age and socioeconomic background,
· introducing the magic of live theater across generations to encourage expansive imaginations and broad views of people and the world,
· and contributing to the future stability and growth of Aurora’s downtown.
DEPARTMENT – Paramount School of the Arts - Education and Community Engagement
DIRECT REPORTING – Director of Education and Community Engagement
WORKS CLOSELY WITH – Development, PSA Staff
POSITION STATUS & SCHEDULE – Full time exempt; Typically Monday-Friday; School year evenings are required, summer daytime hours are required, weekend events will be required as scheduled.
COMPENSATION – Annual salary range is $50,000-$55,000.
BENEFITS – Excellent benefits package including health, paid time off, and 401k
HIRE DATE – July 2026
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The School Experience & Engagement Manager is responsible for creating an exceptional experience for students, families, teaching artists, educators, and community partners while expanding the reach and impact of Paramount School of the Arts (PSA) and the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA). This position serves as both the face of the school and the primary liaison between PSA and the surrounding community, ensuring every interaction reflects the organization's commitment to artistic excellence, accessibility, and outstanding customer service.
The School Experience & Engagement Manager oversees front-of-house school operations, student and family engagement, school partnerships, community outreach, educational workshops, and engagement initiatives that connect schools, organizations, and our community to the performing arts. This role develops strategic partnerships with local schools, colleges, universities, and community organizations while managing engagement programming, educational residencies, workshops, and special events.
Working collaboratively with the Education, Marketing, and Production departments, the School Experience & Engagement Manager strengthens enrollment, student retention, community visibility, and educational access through proactive relationship building, exceptional communication, and high-quality programming.
A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is essential as this position helps create welcoming, accessible, and meaningful arts experiences for learners of all ages.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for students, families, teaching artists, and visitors.
- Create a welcoming, professional, and inclusive environment.
- Respond to inquiries via phone, email, and in person in a timely manner.
- Guide prospective families through enrollment and registration.
- Support student retention through ongoing relationship building.
- Develop initiatives that celebrate student achievement and milestones.
- Communicate school updates, reminders, and important announcements to families.
- Assist students and families with scheduling questions and class placement.
- Manage the front desk during school operating hours.
- Maintain daily attendance and student check-in systems.
- Ensure classrooms and common areas remain clean, organized, and welcoming.
- Monitor facility maintenance needs and coordinate repairs.
- Maintain classroom supplies and educational materials.
- Sell and inventory PSA merchandise.
- Support Teaching Artists with classroom and operational needs.
- Develop and maintain relationships with: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities, homeschool organizations, community education programs
- Maintain a comprehensive database of school administrators, educators, and fine arts leaders.
- Create and coordinate: school residencies, educational workshops, programs-on-demand, in-school performances, master classes, college partnerships, career exploration opportunities
- Schedule teaching artists for outreach programs.
- Coordinate logistics and communication for all educational partnership programs.
- Build relationships with community organizations, cultural groups, libraries, park districts, and civic organizations.
- Represent PSA and ACCA at: festivals, community fairs, First Fridays, school events, recruitment events, community celebrations
- Increase community awareness of PSA programming.
- Identify opportunities for new partnerships and collaborative programming.
- Expand arts access initiatives throughout the Aurora community.
In addition to the duties listed above, ACCA expects the following of each employee: adheres to ACCA’s policies and procedures; works in a safe manner; performs duties as workload necessitates; maintains a positive and respectful attitude; communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues; demonstrates efficient time management and prioritizes workload; demonstrates regular and consistent attendance and punctuality; meets productivity standards; participates in ACCA events as needed or required; and completes other duties as assigned.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume using the online job application at https://paramountaurora.com/opportunities/
Or mail/drop off to: Aurora Civic Center Authority, ATTN: (Jessica Duplessis), 8 East Galena Blvd., Suite 230, Aurora, IL 60506
ACCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability status, marital or familial status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. ACCA encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who are eager to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
_ ACCA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, ACCA is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating the employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9._
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
