Description

Join Our Team
Make an impact on the arts community and help grow a dynamic nonprofit organization. Louisville Folk School (LFS) is a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to engage the folk music traditions of Kentuckians through education and performance, building on the rich cultural history of the Bluegrass State while creating community through the arts.

As LFS continues to grow, we are seeking an Operations & Communications Coordinator to help support the organization's communications, day-to-day operations, and public events. This position plays a vital role in telling the story of Louisville Folk School, strengthening relationships with our community, keeping organizational systems running smoothly, and ensuring concerts, student showcases, and special events are welcoming, organized, and professionally executed.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Operations & Communications Coordinator supports Louisville Folk School's communications, organizational operations, volunteers, and public events. This role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong written communication, and the ability to independently manage multiple recurring projects and deadlines in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate is proactive, adaptable, detail-oriented, and enjoys telling the story of Louisville Folk School through creative communications while helping keep the organization running smoothly.

Because Louisville Folk School is a small organization, every staff member contributes beyond their primary responsibilities. We value initiative, collaboration, flexibility, and a willingness to jump in wherever needed to help our community thrive. Additional responsibilities and special projects may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.

Key Responsibilities
Communications & Community Storytelling

• Plan and execute communications campaigns that promote LFS classes, workshops, camps, concerts, showcases, fundraising campaigns, and community events.
• Write, design, schedule, and publish engaging social media content across LFS platforms.
• Plan, write, design, and distribute email newsletters in coordination with the Executive Director and Education Coordinator.
• Create graphics and promotional materials using Canva or similar design software.
• Assist with photography and short-form video content that highlights students, teachers, artists, volunteers, and community impact.
• Maintain the LFS events calendar and submit events to community calendars and media outlets.

Operations

• Prepare and send personalized acknowledgement and appreciation communications to donors, volunteers, members, instructors, students, and community partners, helping ensure everyone who engages with Louisville Folk School feels welcomed, recognized, and valued.
• Coordinate onboarding of instructors and contractors, including collecting W-9 forms, direct deposit information, contracts, background checks, and other required documentation.
• Maintain organized digital filing systems and administrative records.
• Maintain recurring operational calendars, checklists, and workflows that help ensure organizational tasks, seasonal programs, and annual projects stay on schedule.
• Coordinate merchandise inventory, online order fulfillment, and merchandise preparation for events.
• Assist with membership communications, campaigns, and member benefits.
• Help develop and improve organizational systems, workflows, and communications that support Louisville Folk School's continued growth.

Community Engagement

• Coordinate volunteer communications, scheduling, and appreciation efforts.
• Coordinate poster distribution and other community outreach efforts.
• Help strengthen Louisville Folk School's visibility throughout the community through consistent communications and outreach.

Events

• Serve as a key member of the Louisville Folk School event team for concerts, student showcases, workshops, fundraisers, and community events.
• Attend evening and weekend events from setup through teardown.
• Assist with event operations including ticketing, guest check-in, artist hospitality, merchandise sales, volunteer coordination, photography, and general event support.
• Help ensure every Louisville Folk School event reflects the welcoming and community-focused spirit of the organization.

Requirements

Collaboration

• Participate in a weekly, in-person staff meeting to coordinate projects, review upcoming programs and events, and share updates.
• Maintain regular communication with the Executive Director, Education Coordinator, and Program Assistant throughout the week.
• Work independently while collaborating closely with a small team.
• Build positive working relationships with instructors, volunteers, students, donors, community partners, and fellow staff members.
• Contribute ideas and identify opportunities to improve organizational systems, communications, and processes.
  

Skills & Qualifications
We're looking for someone who:

• Is an excellent writer and communicator.
• Enjoys telling stories that celebrate students, teachers, volunteers, and community.
• Is exceptionally organized and able to manage multiple recurring projects, deadlines, and priorities.
• Enjoys working independently while collaborating closely with a small team.
• Takes initiative and is comfortable identifying problems and proposing solutions.
• Has experience creating and scheduling engaging social media content.
• Has basic graphic design experience using Canva or similar software.
• Is proficient with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail, and Calendar).
• Has experience with, or the ability to quickly learn, software such as Klaviyo, Shopify, Little Green Light, and other digital organizational tools.
• Enjoys building positive relationships with students, volunteers, instructors, donors, community partners, and fellow staff members.
• Can assist with event setup and teardown, including lifting and moving supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Appreciates folk music, arts education, lifelong learning, and community-building.
  
  

Schedule & Compensation

• Part-time, 10-15 hours per week.
• Compensation: $20.00-$25.00 per hour, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.
• Eligible for Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued based on hours worked.
• This position offers a flexible schedule with consistent weekly hours. While many administrative and communications responsibilities may be completed remotely, regular in-person attendance at weekly staff meetings, merchandise fulfillment, and Louisville Folk School events is expected. Evening and weekend availability is required for concerts, student showcases, fundraisers, and other public events. Event schedules vary seasonally, with some months requiring more evening and weekend hours than others.

Why Join Louisville Folk School?
At Louisville Folk School, you'll be part of a small, collaborative team that believes music builds stronger communities. Every class, concert, workshop, and community event helps create meaningful connections through the arts, and every staff member plays an important role in making that happen.

This position offers the opportunity to:

• Help preserve and celebrate Kentucky's rich musical traditions.
• Work alongside passionate artists, educators, volunteers, and community partners.
• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, communications, fundraising, and event management.
• Grow professionally while helping shape the future of a vibrant and expanding arts organization.
• Make a meaningful impact on thousands of students, families, and community members each year.

Our Commitment
Louisville Folk School is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment for all. We strive to create programs that reflect and serve the rich diversity of our community and believe that music has the power to bring people together across backgrounds and experiences.

We encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives to apply. If you're excited about this role and believe you could contribute to our mission, we'd love to hear from you.

To Apply
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest in the position to:

Dave Howard
Executive Director
Louisville Folk School

Applications will be accepted through July 29, 2026. We encourage interested candidates to apply early, as interviews may begin before the application deadline.

Disclaimer
The preceding job description outlines the general scope and nature of work expected for this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, qualifications, or conditions of employment. LFS reserves the right to amend this job description as necessary.

Employment Terms
This is an at-will position. Employment can be terminated by either the employee or LFS at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice.