SOUNDS Academy is a non-profit music education organization that transforms lives by empowering youth through teaching music and character values, with a commitment to reaching underserved communities. Students receive individual lessons and group classes on all instruments and voice. Instruments are provided to those who cannot afford one. SOUNDS Academy students learn the character values of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork through music education. We teach these values in our Musical Access Program, which connects students to live music and instruments through our Instrument Petting Zoos, our School Programs for lower income schools and community centers, our SOLO Program, which provides one-on-one instruction, and The Collective Ensembles that teach music theory and ensemble playing techniques.

Internal Operations Administrator

The Internal Operations Manager is responsible for creating, maintaining, and improving the systems, spaces, inventory, and workflows that allow SOUNDS Academy to operate efficiently and continue growing its impact throughout the community. This position oversees inventory management, spreadsheet and database maintenance, operational logistics, technology troubleshooting, facility coordination, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure organizational consistency and sustainability.

This role is an excellent opportunity for candidates who are goal-oriented, relational, organized, and energized by both strategy and execution in a fast-paced environment. If you enjoy building relationships, tracking progress, managing details, and helping turn vision into tangible results, this may be the role for you! For an eager and committed learner, many technical fundraising skills can be developed on the job.

The Development Manager will work closely with the CEO, who remains deeply involved in fundraising and major donor relationships. While the CEO focuses heavily on external partnerships, large gifts, and organizational visibility, the Development Manager plays a critical role in managing the day-to-day infrastructure and execution of fundraising efforts.

This position is responsible for overseeing fundraising campaigns and events, donor communications and stewardship, donation tracking and reporting, development calendars and systems, prospect research, and ongoing donor engagement. The Development Manager will directly manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and supporters while helping cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Projects and responsibilities may include coordinating fundraising events and benefit concerts, executing annual and end-of-year campaigns, maintaining donor databases and spreadsheets, managing acknowledgments and stewardship touchpoints, assisting with sponsorship outreach and reporting, researching funding opportunities, supporting light grant writing and grant reporting, and helping create systems and workflows that improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the development department.

What You’ll Do

• Programs
  • Provide administrative support to Teachers and Program Staff to ensure student impact
  • Provide technical support during student concerts and recitals to provide support for stage needs
  • Oversee Data Management: Analyze large datasets to extract and report grant-specific insights and outcomes, while maintaining monthly KPI updates for our programs. (Donor Information, Student Tracking, Character Value Surveys, Etc.)
  • Oversee teaching facilities to ensure learning environments meet SOUNDS Academy standards
  • Oversee inventory to ensure that teaching materials are in full stock and working condition
• Financial Strength and Stability
  • Run operations for SOUNDS Academy fundraising events
  • Conduct research, price & fact checks, and prepare briefings for meetings as requested by CEO
• Organizational Development
  • Provide support for our Volunteer Engagement Program
  • Provide administrative assistance and troubleshoot general IT issues as requested
  • Own general maintenance of spreadsheets, platforms, and SOP’s (Basecamp, Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, Etc.) while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency
  • Ensure we have appropriate space, layout, furniture, and supplies to do our best work
  • Ensure all systems and workflows are working effectively (phones, internet, mail, etc.)
• Marketing and Communications
  • Provide support in the marketing of SOUNDS Academy Programs, Concerts/Events, and reports (Ex: Impact Report, Quarterly Reports, Newsletters)
• Strategic Growth
  • Assist in research and provide administrative assistance to CEO as requested
  • Assist in support of the Strategic Plan

Must-Have Skills and Talents

• Strong Follow-Through and Attention to Details: You stay on top of special tasks, follow-up items, and general areas of work. You meet deadlines. Your communications are polished and precise. You catch and fix mistakes in writing, calendaring, and physical space.
• Systems Thinker and Visionary: You think and operate in systems that allow you to see the big picture and every detail of the organization goals as well as how they fit together.  While you’re grounded in the current reality, you don’t accept it as a limitation for the future.
• Continuous Learner: You’re committed to identifying what you need to learn and growing quickly.  In this dynamic and growing organization, our strategies (Ex: Program, Development, Recruiting, Marketing, etc.) will evolve quickly to capture new opportunities.
• Drive to Achieve Results: You do what you need to do to achieve your goals, including being open with your manager about where you need help, anticipating problems, brainstorming solutions, driving work forward, and course correcting where needed.
• Proactive Problem Solving: Proactively develop solutions to challenges and roadblocks, including by constantly looking at big picture progress across programs and flagging potential upcoming challenges.

To Apply

Please submit a 1-page letter describing your interest in this position, a 1-page professional writing sample that speaks to the skills required, and your resume to info@soundsacademy.org by June 12, 2026. Early submissions are encouraged.

The full-time, exempt salary for this position is $51,000-$60,000. SOUNDS offers health benefits, Employee Assistance Program, progressive paid time off starting at 5 days in year 1, paid sick leave, and 11 week-day holidays throughout the year. This is a hybrid (work remote and in-person) position, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Internal Operations Administrator will also need to plan to attend in-person meetings with staff and potential partners throughout the city of Phoenix.

SOUNDS Academy provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.  We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, Arizona, or local laws and ordinances.  SOUNDS Academy will ensure the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation and benefits, social and recreational programs, discipline, termination and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with all applicable federal, Arizona, and local laws and ordinances.

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this job description. We’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Development Manager

The Development Manager is responsible for building and maintaining a diverse and sustainable funding base that allows SOUNDS Academy to thrive today while preparing for continued growth and long-term impact. This position oversees fundraising systems, donor engagement, campaigns, events, donation tracking, and development operations while helping strengthen relationships throughout the community.

This role is an excellent opportunity for candidates who are goal-oriented, relational, organized, and energized by both strategy and execution in a fast-paced environment. If you enjoy building relationships, coordinating projects, tracking progress, managing details, and helping turn vision into tangible results, this may be the role for you!

The Development Manager will work closely with the CEO, who remains deeply involved in fundraising and major donor relationships. While the CEO focuses heavily on external partnerships, large gifts, and organizational visibility, the Development Manager plays a critical role in managing the day-to-day infrastructure and execution of fundraising efforts.

This position is responsible for overseeing fundraising campaigns and events, donor communications and stewardship, donation tracking and reporting, development calendars and systems, prospect research, and ongoing donor engagement. The Development Manager will directly manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and supporters while helping cultivate a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Projects and responsibilities may include coordinating fundraising events and benefit concerts, executing annual and end-of-year campaigns, maintaining donor databases and spreadsheets, managing acknowledgments and stewardship touch points, assisting with sponsorship outreach and reporting, researching funding opportunities, supporting light grant writing and grant reporting, and helping create systems and workflows that improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the development department.

What You’ll Do

• Set and Achieve Fundraising Goals
  • Set and achieve annual fundraising goal overall and goals by funding streams (foundations, corporations, individuals, in-kind)
  • Steward our donors’ experiences with a goal to retain/renew 60% of donors annually
  • Work with team members to track progress, produce reports, and communicate trends
• Run the overall development operation using best practices and effective development tools
  • Fundraising Plan
  • Weighted pipeline
  • Donor acknowledgements
  • Tracking systems (analytics)
• Connect with the Community
  • Directly manage a portfolio of gifts, grants, and sponsorships
  • Lead Fundraising Campaigns
• Manage up to the CEO to ensure larger donors are stewarded effectively.
• Invite supporters and steward their experiences at our events (The Speakeasy and The Benefit Concert)
• Attend outreach events to connect with the community

Must-Have Skills and Talents

• Systems Thinker and Visionary: You think and operate in systems that allow you to see the big picture and every detail of the funding campaign as well as how they fit together.  While you’re grounded in the current reality, you don’t accept it as a limitation for the future.
• Continuous Learner: You’re committed to identifying what you need to learn and growing quickly.  In this dynamic and growing organization, our fundraising strategy will evolve quickly to capture new opportunities.
• Organizational Stewardship: You center the mission and goals of the organization in all of the decisions that you make.  You proactively identify and solve areas where program and fundraising are in tension with one another, and find solutions that work for all stakeholders.
• Drive to Achieve Results: You do what you need to do to achieve your goals, including being open with your manager about where you need help, anticipating problems, brainstorming solutions, driving work forward, and course correcting where needed.
• Creative Problem Solving: Proactively develop solutions to challenges and roadblocks, including by constantly looking at big picture progress across programs and flagging potential upcoming challenges.
• Team Player and Proactive Communicator: You value relationships, both with the team and board at SOUNDS and also in the community.  You demonstrate respect for colleagues and partners through proactive communication.  You commit to no surprises.

To Apply

Please submit a 1-page letter describing your interest in this position, a 1-page professional writing sample that speaks to the skills required, and your resume to info@soundsacademy.org by June 12, 2026. Early submissions are encouraged.

The full-time, exempt salary for this position is $60,000-$68,000. SOUNDS offers health benefits, Employee Assistance Program, progressive paid time off starting at 5 days in year 1, paid sick leave, and 11 week-day holidays throughout the year. This is a hybrid (work remote and in-person) position, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Internal Operations Administrator will also need to plan to attend in-person meetings with staff and potential partners throughout the city of Phoenix.

SOUNDS Academy provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, Arizona, or local laws and ordinances. SOUNDS Academy will ensure the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation and benefits, social and recreational programs, discipline, termination and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with all applicable federal, Arizona, and local laws and ordinances.

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this job description. We’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Fundraising Intern

The Fundraising Intern will learn and assist with spearheading events and stewarding individual donors for monthly giving campaigns and gifts up to $1,000, helping to meet our financial goals now while preparing for future growth.

This role is an excellent opportunity for candidates who are personable, eager, and goal oriented in a fast-paced environment. If you love pursuing strategy and goals, writing, details, deadlines, and tracking progress along the way, this may be the role for you!  For a creative and resilient learner, the technical fundraising skills can be learned on the job.

The Fundraising Intern will work hand in hand with the Fundraising Team and CEO, who is deeply engaged in fundraising as well. The Fundraising Intern is responsible for some of the back-office of development, marketing, operations, research and reporting on gifts and events. The CEO plays the more external fundraising role with our largest donors and champions. The Fundraising Intern will manage and grow a portfolio of smaller donors, which they will get to manage directly.

What You’ll Learn

• Set and Achieve Fundraising Goals
  • Achieve annual fundraising goal overall and goals by funding streams (small grants, individuals, in-kind)
  • Steward our donors’ experiences in order to retain/renew 75% of donors annually
• Assist in executing the overall development operation using best practices and effective development tools
  • Fundraising Plan
  • Weighted pipeline
  • Donor acknowledgements
  • Tracking systems (analytics)
• Directly manage a portfolio of small gifts
• Develop newsletters and social media posts to engage donors
• Assist in leading SOUNDS Academy events such as The Speakeasy and The Benefit Concert

Must-Have Skills and Talents

• Systems Thinker and Visionary: You think and operate in systems that allow you to see the big picture and every detail of the funding campaign as well as how they fit together.  While you’re grounded in the current reality, you don’t accept it as a limitation for the future.
• Continuous Learner: You’re committed to identifying what you need to learn and growing quickly.  In this dynamic and growing organization, our fundraising strategy will evolve quickly to capture new opportunities.
• Organizational Stewardship: You center the mission and goals of the organization in all of the decisions that you make.  You proactively identify and solve areas where program and fundraising are in tension with one another, and find solutions that work for all stakeholders.
• Drive to Achieve Results: You do what you need to do to achieve your goals, including being open with your manager about where you need help, anticipating problems, brainstorming solutions, driving work forward, and course correcting where needed.
• Creative Problem Solving: Proactively develop solutions to challenges and roadblocks, including by constantly looking at big picture progress across programs and flagging potential upcoming challenges.
• Team Player and Proactive Communicator: You value relationships, both with the team and board at SOUNDS and also in the community.  You demonstrate respect for colleagues and partners through proactive communication.  You commit to no surprises.

Qualifications:

• Pursuing or Completing a Degree, BA, or BS in the fields of Nonprofit, Arts, or Business Management, Business, Marketing, Communications, or related fields preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in successful non-profit marketing or fundraising
• Proven track record and achievements in attaining goals
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Strong written and verbal communication with equally strong presentation skills.

To Apply

Please submit a 1-page letter describing your interest in this position, a 1-page professional writing sample that speaks to the skills required, and your resume to info@soundsacademy.org by April 24, 2026.

The part-time pay for this position is $15 – $19/hour. This is a hybrid (work remote and in-person) position, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Development/Marketing Intern will also need to plan to attend in-person staff meetings as well as be able to be at our various locations for content collection in the Metropolitan Phoenix area.

SOUNDS Academy provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees.  We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, Arizona, or local laws and ordinances.  SOUNDS Academy will ensure the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation and benefits, social and recreational programs, discipline, termination and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with all applicable federal, Arizona, and local laws and ordinances.

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this job description. We’re looking forward to getting to know you.