Executive Director

The Executive Director will oversee all business aspects of the Symphony, including financial management, fundraising, marketing, audience development, labor relations, and organizational administration. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with the Music Director, they will provide strategic leadership to advance the Symphony’s artistic, educational, and community engagement initiatives. By building strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and serving as a champion for the musicians, the Executive Director will foster an inclusive and collaborative work culture.

Role and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Organizational Effectiveness

• Align artistic, educational, and community engagement initiatives with financial sustainability in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Implement a comprehensive and long-term institutional vision in partnership with the Music Director, Board, and staff.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Board, Music Director, staff, musicians, and volunteers through open and transparent communication.
• Assist Board committees in developing and implementing their goals and objectives, coordinating closely with appropriate staff liaisons.
• Develop diverse staff capabilities, creating an organizational culture to foster a motivated, self-sufficient, high-performing team.
• Embrace other strategic vision and organizational effectiveness responsibilities, as needed.

Financial Oversight and Revenue Enhancement

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and cash flow management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency, and provide regular and clear updates to the Board and funders.
• Lead operational planning to ensure the effective use of financial resources and institutional efficiency.
• Manage contractual negotiations with the Musicians’ Union, guest artists, vendors, and strategic partners, ensuring both financial prudence and artistic excellence.
• Advance marketing and public relations programs that enhance the Symphony’s visibility and reputation.
• Drive fundraising and revenue-generating strategies by collaborating with the Board and staff to maximize contributed and earned revenue.
• Embrace other financial oversight and revenue enhancement responsibilities, as needed.

Community Leadership and Educational Engagement

• Champion the development of artistic and educational programs through creating strategic partnerships that embrace the diverse needs of the region and advance the Symphony’s education and community initiatives.
• Serve as a primary spokesperson alongside the Music Director and Board President, representing the organization in the media and at public speaking engagements.
• Advocate for the value of orchestral music and musicians in our community.
• Cultivate relationships with city leaders, other arts organizations, and public agencies to enhance the Symphony’s reputation and impact.
• Assist the Board in recruiting prospective Board members who can enhance the Symphony’s efforts while educating and empowering Board members to serve as effective ambassadors.
• Embrace other community leadership and educational engagement responsibilities, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Executive Director will be an effective communicator and engaged listener who fosters trust and transparency across all levels of the organization. With a passion for the arts and community engagement, they will be adept at establishing strong relationships with audiences, donors, and civic partners. This individual will inspire confidence and enthusiasm among staff, musicians, board members, donors, and the broader South Bend community. They will exhibit a spirit of curiosity about new trends in arts organizations and remain flexible when confronted with challenges.

Other key competencies include:

• Personal Accountability and Diplomacy – The ability to be answerable for personal actions while effectively and tactfully handling difficult or sensitive issues.
• Leadership and Interpersonal Skills – The capacity to organize and influence people to believe in a vision, creating a sense of purpose and direction while effectively communicating, building rapport, and relating well to all kinds of people.
• Time and Priority Management – The dexterity to prioritize and complete tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
• Customer Focus and Goal Orientation – The acumen to anticipate, meet, and/or exceed customer needs, wants, and expectations.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess senior management experience and a strong ability to think strategically and creatively in order to continue the Symphony’s forward trajectory in collaboration with Music Director Alastair Willis.  The candidate shall have a proven record of fiscal accountability, including fundraising and development, while building, fostering, and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, patrons, and community partners. Exceptional communication skills tailored to the Symphony’s unique environment are critical to success. Prior leadership at an orchestra or performing arts organization is preferred, but applications are welcome from candidates in other sectors.

Compensation and Benefits

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra offers a competitive and equitable compensation and benefits package, including an annual salary range of $120,000 to $130,000, with an opportunity to earn an annual performance-based bonus. Benefits include paid time off and holiday pay, health insurance that includes vision and dental coverage, and a voluntary 401K retirement plan with a company matching contribution of 3%.  A relocation package is also available if the candidate is not locally based.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/south-bend-symphony-orchestra-seeks-executive-director/.

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors commits to using its financial resources to create a more diverse and vibrant musical experience for its community.