President and Chief Executive Officer

Position Summary

​​The CEO will be responsible for leading a multi-faceted arts organization and must have strong financial acumen with a passion for fundraising and development. They must be a creative, dynamic, and visionary leader who is collaborative, diplomatic, and inspires confidence. Balancing the budget while focusing on growth potential will be critical. The capacity to collaborate with members of the Board, artistic leadership, and senior staff to conceive, design, and execute a coherent organizational strategy which will enable H+H to achieve its strategic ambitions is essential. Key elements of the role will also include financial management, fundraising, strategic planning, sales and marketing, human resources management, and operations. The CEO will implement and support the strategic direction of H+H, focusing on financial resiliency, donor and audience engagement, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, and other key initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision, Leadership, and Planning

• Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement policies that support a fiscally responsible and artistically vibrant strategic direction.
• Invigorate a galvanizing vision that unifies H+H around an impactful mission and strengthens its relevance to local, regional, and national communities.
• Increase attendance and broaden audience diversity, engagement, philanthropic support, and visibility to expand the critical acclaim of H+H artistic leadership and programs.
• Participate in the refresh and implementation of an organization-wide strategic plan, working closely with the Strategic Planning Committee and Board.

Revenue Generation

• Lead major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, as well as continued annual fund, capital campaign, and planned giving initiatives.
• Drive the growth of earned and contributed revenues, including ticket sales, touring, and audience engagement, as well as extend support for deeper education program participation.
• Advocate as H+H’s primary public representative and media spokesperson, strengthening the organization’s visibility and relationships throughout Boston and nationally while highlighting the importance of classical music and arts education fields.

Artistic Partnerships and External Relations

• Partner with the Artistic Director to elevate H+H’s artistic profile.
• Guide collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the AFM and AGMA in supporting strong partnerships with musicians and artistic personnel.

Fiscal Resiliency, Team Vibrancy, and Technological Advancement

• Develop achievable short- and long-term operating plans and budgets that ensure artistic excellence, cross-departmental collaboration, and high production standards.
• Explore, embrace, and implement appropriate technological advances to promote effective audience development, community engagement, brand awareness, and social visibility.
• Ensure that the organization is led in a fiscally responsible and operationally rigorous manner in collaboration with the Board, Artistic Director, and staff.
• Engage, manage, inspire, and mentor a dynamic senior leadership team and ensure that H+H staff are afforded opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Embrace technological advances for internal operations and business management.

Traits and Characteristics

The CEO must have a dynamic leadership style with strong fiscal fluency, emotional intelligence, and the capacity to collaborate with artistic leadership, members of the Board, and staff to enable H+H to achieve its strategic and artistic goals. They will enjoy and be comfortable in interacting with people within and outside of the organization. A leader who honors the legacy of a historically important organization, the CEO will be an innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial leader who embodies a respectful approach and is an excellent motivator. They must be a strong leader, a unifier of people, and charismatic in their approach. The CEO must also support evolving technological, financial, human capital, and organizational practices.

Other key competencies include:

• Personal & Professional Leadership — The capacity to take ownership for decisions and actions while organizing and influencing people to believe in and support the organization’s mission, vision, values, and relevance.
• Problem Solving and Planning & Organizing — The ability to define, analyze, and solve complex issues and to establish appropriate courses of action.
• Interpersonal Skills and Stakeholder Focus — The capacity to effectively communicate, build strong relationships, and address complex issues while maintaining organizational stability.
• Goal Orientation — The ability to set, pursue, and attain goals, regardless of obstacles or circumstances.

Qualifications

At least seven to ten years of progressive senior management experience with strong financial acumen and demonstrable fundraising results in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities is essential. Excellent business acumen is also required, including strategic planning, sales and marketing, branding, human resource management, and operations. A career trajectory in orchestras, choruses, music festivals, or arts education institutions is preferred, but leaders may also have business, multi-faced nonprofit, or other related experience. A previously demonstrated interest and participation in classical music is expected.

Compensation and Benefits

H+H provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated base salary in the range of $275,000 to $325,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurances; short- and long-term disability; employer-sponsored life insurance; an employer-sponsored flexible spending account; health savings account; transit and commuter benefits; and sick days, paid time off, and holidays. H+H has a hybrid work environment; however the CEO needs to reside in Greater Boston to become deeply embedded in this vibrant community.

Applications and Inquiries

As part of an inclusive process, interested applicants are invited to inquire and/or submit a cover letter that highlights their interest and qualifications, as well as a resume that highlights a chronological career progression, education, and associated accomplishments. Those who do not meet all the criteria outlined in the position announcement but have relevant experience are welcome to contact Arts Consulting Group (ACG) for a confidential exploratory conversation. H+H and ACG are committed to inclusion and accessibility and welcome applicants with disabilities and provide accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. To submit materials (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/handel-and-haydn-society-seeks-president-chief-executive-officer/  

H+H is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace by maintaining a team that represents the traditions and voices of contemporary Boston.