About the Conservatory
Since 1887 the Maritime Conservatory has been at the centre of music and dance education in Kjipuktuk – Halifax. Over the years thousands of students have passed through its doors and have developed a life-long love of the performing arts. Many have gone on to professional careers around the world based on the solid foundation acquired at the Conservatory.
Today, students of all ages and abilities continue to join our arts family to pursue their goals and follow their dreams in music and dance. From the youngest baby in our ‘Kindermusik’ program to our ‘Silver Swans’ of ballet to those who benefit from our Music Therapy department, and to those in our outreach program we continue to nurture Nova Scotians in the performing arts in all ages and stages of life.
Music Therapy has been a part of the Conservatory for over a year. Operating from a social model of disability and health, the Conservatory Music Therapy Program serves individuals of all ages and abilities both onsite at the Conservatory as well as in the community.
About you
You are an organized and self-aware leader. With excellent communication and organizational skills, you maintain a positive and resilient focus. You understand what an amazing and unique opportunity this is, and you are excited to help realize the potential for the growth of Music Therapy at the Maritime Conservatory whilst consolidating its success to date.
You have the ability, passion, determination and entrepreneurial spirit to manage the existing enterprise whilst taking the department to the next level for the benefit of a diverse community of participants.
About the role
The Head of Music Therapy provides overall program leadership in the Centre for Music Therapy by hiring, coordinating and providing leadership to our growing team of music therapists; matching therapists with clients; engaging with clients and community organizations on current and potential new services; developing annual operational plans for Music Therapy; managing the department’s budget and working with Conservatory
staff on administrative matters. The Head of Music Therapy will work with the Director and Deans of Music and Dance to develop new programs and revenue generating opportunities, and with other staff to promote the Conservatory and the work of the Centre for Music Therapy.
Hours and compensation: 30 to 35-hour week negotiable (35 hours = $55,965 per annum) with the potential for significant advancement as we build the Centre for Music Therapy.
To apply for this position please send your cover letter and resume to Simon Robinson; director@maritimeconservatory.com by 4th August 2024.
The MT Department Head Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
Music Therapist Team
• Matching music therapists with participants (i.e. finding ‘best fit’ based on experience and schedule availability).
• Supervision of music therapists (clinical work and writing) as needed.
• Scheduling and facilitating music therapist team meetings as needed.
• Maintaining systems for sharing of activities, resources, and equipment.
• Scheduling and conducting interviews and hiring new music therapists as needed.
• Collecting required background documents (i.e. vulnerable sector checks, insurance, etc.) upon hiring new music therapists and keeping track of renewals dates (log provided) for existing music therapists.
• Maintaining current internship listing in the CAMT internship registry.
• Scheduling and conducting internship interviews and matching successful internship candidates with MTA supervisors on the MT Team.
Inquiries & Registration
• Replying to inquiries forwarded by administration.
• Replying to and processing ‘waitlist webforms’.
• Maintaining a record of new inquiries and registrations (log provided).
• Renewing contracts with organizations.
Participant Care
• Maintaining, collecting, and filing consent/welcome forms and inputting new participants into the Conservatory’s Mindbody system.
• Filing music therapy participant and program reports.
• Maintaining communications with individual participants and community organizations as needed.
• Receiving and processing music therapy bursary applications.
• Arranging participant transitions as needed.
• Scheduling and planning events and gatherings with the help of administration for participant appreciation (e.g. annual holiday concert/gathering).
Marketing and Public Relations
• Drafting and updating website content and submitting to the MCPA Designer as needed.
• Drafting music therapy content for MCPA Newsletter and submitting to the MCPA Designer once per month.
• Gathering ideas for music therapy related social media posts and submitting to the MCPA Designer once per month.
• Updating on-site group offerings posters each term.
• Drafting, in collaboration with Administration, program proposals and grant applications for existing and new projects as needed.
• Ensuring fundraising and marketing materials using music therapy participants are in alignment with the CAMT Code of Ethics.
Studio & System Maintenance
• Ensuring guidelines for proper studio use are being followed.
• Ensuring studio and storage room cleanliness and organization is maintained.
• Deciding on purchases or repairs together with Administration.
• Ordering instruments, resources, and equipment as needed.
• Adapting program policies, procedures and forms as needed.
• Maintaining Centre for Music Therapy bulletin boards (e.g. updating group posters each term).
Financial
• Updating rates for new individual participants, groups, and events in accordance with Atlantic Association for Music Therapy Rate Guidelines as needed.
• Letting the Administration know about rate changes and information to be mailed out to participants as needed.
• Reviewing and updating music therapist rates (if applicable) and consultant agreements on a yearly basis.
• Collecting invoice paysheets from MT Contractors, verifying hours, and then submitting session dates for invoices to MCPA Registrar and a payroll summary to MCPA Accounting at the end of each month.
• Keeping track of bursary spending (log provided).
• Developing (in consultation with the Dean of Music, Director, and Staff Accountant) an annual budget for the Music Therapy Department.
• Keeping track of music therapy program revenue and expenses (spreadsheet provided).
Organization-Wide Duties
• Developing and implementing an annual operational plan that supports the Conservatory’s strategic plan.
• Participating in MCPA staff meetings.
• Participating in MCPA Committee Meetings as required.
• Working with the Director and Deans of Music and Dance to identify and develop new programs and revenue growth opportunities.
• Working with Administration and others to increase awareness and understanding of the work and impact of the Centre for Music Therapy.
Candidate Advantages
• Accredited/Certified and Member in Good Standing with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT).
• Music Therapy Degree, diploma or certificate from an education program recognized by the CAMT.
• Passion for the music therapy profession.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Music therapy supervision training and experience is an asset.
• Management experience is an asset.
• Budgeting experience is an asset (including use of Excel or Google Sheets).
• Experience with grant-writing and program proposals is an asset.
• Program and business development experience is an asset.
• Experience in community collaborations is an asset.
