Executive Director

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working actively with the Music Director and the Board, the Executive Director is responsible and accountable for managing the human and financial resources of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO), including leadership roles in fundraising, audience development, human resources, and budgeting and financial management in order to achieve the Orchestra’s Mission.

He/she will be responsible and accountable for all aspects of the organization and implement the policies and strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.  Acts as primary representative and spokesperson for the organization in the community, working actively to develop and grow the organization’s connections within the local and regional communities.

In collaboration with the Board and the Music Director, he/she will lead a dynamic organization focused on artistic excellence, community engagement and an expanded definition of the role of orchestras in the 21st Century.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

·        Oversees multiple MSO staff

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Planning

·        Assist and participate in the development and implementation of a long-range plan for the orchestra that supports the artistic, financial, and community engagement objectives of the organization.

·        Develop and implement current and long-range administrative and personnel planning to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed competently, including professional development and succession planning.

Board

·        Work with the Board and Music Director to set the long-range strategic plans and goals of the organization.

·        Attend all Board meetings and provide reports and updates on all current work, project timelines, and project and organizational progress.

·        Ensure that all Board committee meetings are appropriately staffed, serve as primary staff liaison with Board.

·        Work in concert with the Board to ensure bylaws, policies and procedures are followed.

·        Make connections and help forge strong relationships among Board, staff, musicians, volunteers, donors and subscribers.

·        Work with the Board to help to identify and recruit qualified candidates for Board membership.

Management

·        Foster a collaborative working environment with volunteers, orchestra members, public, donors, rental facilities and other arts organizations.

·        Develop, coach and manage a high functioning team to ensure the fulfillment of organizational goals.

·        Communicate effectively with and respond in a timely manner to Directors of the Board, donors, subscribers and community members.

·        Assist the Board President with all lease and contract negotiations based on established contract policies

Development

·        Working the with Board, takes a leadership role in the fundraising efforts of the MSO and serves as spokesperson for the organization.

·        Works with the Board and Development staff to

o   Identify, cultivate and solicit donors and other sources of revenue

o   Develop and implement fundraising activities, corporate sponsorships, special events, endowment campaigns, planned giving program, and identification and cultivation of donors.

o   Lead, manage, and guide the organization’s grant writing/reports to attain continued growth and success.

·        Join other arts leaders in the region to advocate for increasing public support of a regional arts culture

·        Serves as primary community liaison for organization working actively to develop and grow the organization’s connections within the fiber of the local and regional communities.

Marketing, Public Relations and Audience Development

·        Working with the Board, Music Director and Marketing and PR staff

o   Oversees the development and implementation of strategies to develop and expand audiences for the orchestra and its programs, seeking to increase both diversity of audience and regional reach.

·        Working with Marketing and PR staff,

o   Oversees the development and implementation of strategies to maximize the MSO’s visibility, brand and earned revenue possibilities.

o   Oversees the development and implementation of marketing plans performances, using appropriate advertising and publicity to achieve maximum subscription and single ticket sales.

o   Oversees the development, management, and evaluation of the organization’s presence online and on social media.

·        Serve as the primary media contact for the MSO and build a consistent media presence; generate feature stories in print and broadcast media about the orchestra.

Artistic and Educational Programming and Operations

·        Work with the Board, the Music Director and the Artistic and Educational Operations staff to oversee, create and implement successful and financially sustainable artistic and educational programs.

·        Ensure that artistic and educational programs meet the needs of the community while maintaining the integrity of the MSO’s mission

·        Work with the Music Director and the Artistic and Educational Operations staff to oversee all aspects of concert operations and production and the development and implementation of the MSO education programs.

Finance

·        In concert with the Finance Committee, create and execute a multi-year balanced budget and report out on the financial performance of the MSO at monthly meetings of the Board.

·        Manage the business affairs of the orchestra including cash flow and expense management in accordance with MSO policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

·        Self-motivated, strategic, and able to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

·        Enthusiastic fundraiser with the demonstrated ability to compete successfully for philanthropic support and the ability to cultivate relationships with donors, community leaders, musicians, staff and Board members.

·        Experience working with a diverse group of personalities and stake holders including professional musicians, conductors, performing artists and educators, as valued collaborators

·        Exceptional leadership skills, interpersonal skills and ethical mindset.

·        Ability to think strategically and execute strategic plans in accordance with established goals

·        Adept to problem solving and conflict resolution.

·        Handle confidential matters with the utmost discretion and professionalism

Desired Education and Experience:

·        Five plus years of leadership experience in non-profit, public, or private businesses

·        Five or more years of experience managing a variety of staff roles

·        Proven experience in fundraising, strategic donor development, and major gifts

·        Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office, donor database software, and social media sources (e.g. Facebook, Instagram) desired

·        Experience working closely with local arts donor communities and organizations

·        Knowledge of and experience with orchestral music and orchestral performance, production, and education desirable.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

·        Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.  The employee frequently is required to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

·        While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, listen and observe.  Specifically, the employee must be able to communicate clearly on the telephone with others.

·        Position may require the employee to ascend and/or descend ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like.

·        High stress, fast-paced environment with a high volume of work to be completed daily.

·        Limited physical effort required or exposure to physical risk. However, must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  The Maryland Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.  We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

To apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume by email to Jason Call, Vice President, Maryland Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, at jcall@marylandsymphony.org .

Position opens for applications: February 20, 2023

Position closes: March 20, 2023

About the Maryland Symphony Orchestra:

Founded in 1982, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a fully professional orchestra under the leadership of Music Director, Elizabeth Schulze. For its first sixteen seasons, horn virtuoso Barry Tuckwell provided artistic leadership. Musicians come from throughout the greater Baltimore-Washington DC metro area to performance with the MSO.

The orchestra presents five pairs of classical concerts in a Masterworks series at the 1,270-seat historic Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown, MD. A typical season also includes two MSO Pops! Concerts, two Home for the Holidays concerts, four Link Up Youth Concerts, and a free Salute to Independence concert. Each year, over 14,000 young people participate in the MSO’s extensive education programs and concerts such as Ensembles in the Schools, Kinder Konzerts, Series, Symphony Saturdays, and masterclasses.

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra has an annual operating budget of $1.5 million and an endowment of $4.1 million. The orchestra is governed by a Board of twenty-five and has a staff of five full-time and four part-time employees.

Hagerstown is in western Maryland – 70 miles from Washington, DC and 75 miles from Baltimore, Maryland. The area is well-known for historic sites such as the Antietam National Battlefield, and has extensive park areas for hiking, skiing, biking, white-water rafting, and other outdoor activities.

The MSO provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other character protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, compensation, and training.