Chapter Development Manager
Department: Music and Education
Reports To: Director of Music and Education
Employment Type: Full-Time
Location: Hybrid/Remote, with Nashville, TN as base location
FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $67,500 annually
Position Summary
The Chapter Development Manager (CDM) is responsible for equipping and empowering Barbershop Harmony Society chapters to become healthy, sustainable, growing singing communities.
This position strengthens the organizations that create meaningful barbershop experiences, rather than focusing primarily on individual members. Working collaboratively with districts, chapter leaders, volunteers, and BHS staff, the CDM develops systems, resources, coaching, and scalable programs that help chapters launch, grow, adapt, and thrive.
The CDM serves as an architect of chapter success—building practical tools, connecting leaders with expertise, identifying organizational best practices, and creating pathways for new chapter formation and existing chapter revitalization.
Closely related, this role also leads the evolution of the Big Leap ecosystem by extending its impact beyond in-person events through scalable learning, coaching, technology, AI-assisted resources, and curated knowledge that empowers local leaders to solve problems independently.
Key Responsibilities Distribution
Chapter Development, Strategy, and Support (30%)
- Develop scalable systems that strengthen chapter leadership, governance, sustainability, and long-term success.
Big Leap & Leadership Development Ecosystem (25%)
- Expand the Big Leap model into a year-round chapter development platform.
Resources, Expert Networks & Best Practices (20%)
- Develop and curate practical tools, expert connections, and proven models for chapter leaders.
Chapter Assessment & Organizational Health (15%)
- Develop and deliver tools for chapters to internally measure organizational success and health.
Chapter Incubation & Innovation (10%)
- Identify opportunities to establish new chapters and support innovative organizational models.
Key Responsibilities
Chapter Development Strategy
- Create practical frameworks that help chapters grow stronger organizationally before focusing on operational execution.
- Help chapters understand governance, leadership structures, succession planning, and organizational design.
- Develop guidance for chapters operating multiple ensembles under the Everyone in Harmony model.
- Partner with district leadership to support chapter development initiatives.
- Recommend improvements to BHS policies and resources based on chapter experience.
- Help define BHS’s long-term value proposition to chapters.
Big Leap Ecosystem
In conjunction with Big Leap facilitators:
- Lead the continued evolution of the Big Leap program beyond its in-person experience.
- Design year-round learning pathways that reinforce concepts introduced during Big Leap.
- Develop scalable follow-up systems using online learning, coaching, peer communities, AI tools, and resource libraries.
- Ensure Big Leap becomes an ongoing development process rather than a single event.
- Coordinate implementation with districts while maintaining consistency across the Society.
- Evaluate outcomes for continued program improvement
Expert Network & Best Practice Repository
- Develop and maintain a Society-wide, searchable and sortable Barbershop Expert Network (prototype exists)
- Recruit experts in chapter leadership, governance, membership, music, marketing, fundraising, education, community engagement, finance, and organizational development.
- Build and maintain a Chapter Development Best Practices Repository containing proven approaches, templates, examples, and implementation guides.
- Ensure resources remain practical, current, and volunteer-friendly.
- Leverage AI technologies to improve discovery, organization, implementation, and personalization of chapter resources.
Chapter Assessment & Organizational Health
- Help define measurable indicators of chapter health.
- Translate assessment findings into practical improvement plans.
- Identify emerging trends and common organizational challenges.
- Recommend new programs and resources based on observed needs.
- Help chapters move from “needs support” toward sustainable organizational health.
Chapter Incubation
- Identify geographic areas with little or no BHS presence.
- Develop strategies for establishing new chapters in underserved communities.
- Create repeatable startup models that reduce barriers for new organizations.
- Support chapter founders during the early stages of organizational development.
- Coordinate startup resources, mentors, and educational support.
- Evaluate innovative chapter models and recommend scalable approaches.
Organizational Innovation
- Research best practices from federated nonprofit organizations and membership associations.
- Recommend improvements to chapter structures, membership models, and organizational support systems.
- Help shape future chapter development philosophy for BHS.
- Collaborate with Music & Education, Membership, Community Care, Marketing, and Data teams to ensure chapter development aligns with Society strategy.
- Participate in strategic planning related to chapter vitality and organizational growth.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, organizational leadership, business, education, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Five or more years of experience leading nonprofit organizations, membership associations, volunteer organizations, or community development initiatives.
- Demonstrated success building or growing organizations rather than simply administering existing programs.
- Experience designing scalable systems, educational programs, or organizational frameworks.
- Strong facilitation and coaching skills.
- Exceptional relationship-building ability with volunteers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously.
- Comfort working with data, technology, AI-enabled tools, and knowledge management systems.
- Experience within chapter-based, federated, or membership organizations preferred.
- Familiarity with the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Preferred:
- Five or more years membership in the Barbershop Harmony Society
Why This Role Matters
The heartbeat of the Barbershop Harmony Society is the local chapter. This mission critical position is uniquely situated to contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth and sustainability of the BHS.
What's in it for you:
- Qualifications & Experiencckage
- 10 days of paid vacation (eligible after 90-day probation period, prorated during first year of employment)
- 8 paid holidays and December 24 - January 1 off
- 8 paid sick days per year
- 100% company funded individual health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Optional short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401K plan with 3% safe harbor contribution and company matches that could aggregate up to an additional 3% (6% total)
- High-engagement staff environment with regular team building and social activities throughout the year
- A chance to make a difference in the lives of others
As a key component of our vision of Everyone in Harmony, the Barbershop Harmony Society is committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and skills. We believe that employees who feel valued and encouraged to share their ideas are empowered to foster innovation that leads to both personal and professional growth. The Barbershop Harmony Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. The Barbershop Harmony Society values and actively seeks a diversified workforce.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.