Executive Director - Boulder Symphony & Music Academy

With regularly sold-out performances, Boulder Symphony & Music Academy (BS&MA) is the fastest growing orchestra in Colorado. We are on the forefront of symphonic music innovation, performance, and education. The Executive Director reports to and collaborates with the Board of Directors, works in partnership with the Music Director, and leads the General Manager and Director of Education and Community Outreach to make symphonic music and education accessible to all.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership, championing excellence and engagement with all stakeholders and segments of the BS&MA community. Areas of focus include:

1. driving enrollment/scholarships for the Music Academy;
2. securing sponsorships/grants/other financial opportunities for BS&MA;
3. working with external organizations to promote BS&MA’s capabilities and to secure creative opportunities for the orchestra, such as recordings, performances for film, and other engagements that contribute brand and revenue growth;
4. driving sold-out events through strategic marketing and brand development; and
5. working with the Board of Directors and Music Director to develop strategies and activities that drive community interest/engagement and Academy enrollment and retention.

Overseeing the financial growth of the organization, the Executive Director functions as the “Conductor” of the Board of Directors and Staff by inspiring, leading, and engaging in the following areas:

• Creates and leads execution with respect to the organizational fundraising plan, including the cultivation of individual donations, BS&MA endowment, corporate giving, scholarships, and grant writing. Meets or exceeds fundraising targets, manages CRM databases, and develops donor relationships and stewardship in collaboration with Board of Directors and Music Director.
• Oversees General Manager/Marketing to fill the house for all Symphony events, concerts, and outreach activity. Oversees email marketing, social media, and other marketing strategies. Elevates the Symphony image locally and internationally through a consistent and effective PR strategy.
• Oversees Director of Education and Community Outreach to grow attendance at the Music Academy; coordinates educational and outreach events, including the Curiosity Concerts; and collaborates with local music educators.
• Oversees General Manager to produce all Symphony concerts and events, including a master plan for Symphony operations, and coordinates box office and event management with venues.
• Establishes and drives Board-approved operating budget each season and negotiates and administers contracts for musicians, artists, and contractors.
• Serving as the Administrator of Symphony operations, communicates logistics across the organization, ensuring collaboration and communication between Board and orchestra, staff and volunteers, and different committees. Updates and maintains organized online databases/records that can easily be accessed and understood by all stakeholders.
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and measuring performance management standards for administrative staff and teachers, and reporting organizational performance to the Board.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• A strong working knowledge of music and the business of music, including commissioning, recording, and electronic media. Interest in and knowledge of contemporary and American music will be an asset. The candidate will have the demonstrated ability to work successfully with a music director, professional musicians, and other creative and performing artists in a collective bargaining environment.
• Availability to accommodate a full-time hybrid position (working from home/office/off-site), including some evening/weekend events and concerts totaling approximately 40 hours per week. BS&MA generally has around 10 concerts per season, and additional opportunities are available to hire out the orchestra.
• The successful candidate has experience reading and communicating all financial documents for the organization. Includes management of the P&L, balance sheet, and budget.
• Experience in symphonic music, be a self-starter, and someone looking to grow BS&MA and recommend further staff additions, contractors, or other organizational enhancements as their position evolves.
• Strong communication skill with the proven ability to present and engage successfully with large public groups, current and potential donors, and sponsors. Leading diverse teams and driving consensus and cooperation while managing accountability and key deliverables for the organization are also critical requirements.
• They will be a champion and stalwart advocate for BS&MA in the community.

To apply, please submit the following: cover letter, resume, and a 1-2 minute video introduction to jobs@bouldersymphony.org. Applications will be considered as they are received.

Salary range of $55-70K, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

At Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, we strive to be diverse, equitable, and inclusive in all aspects of our organization. We believe the most important responsibility as docents of the arts is to bring new voices into the music community.

Boulder Symphony prioritizes giving a voice to underrepresented composers and artists, including performing works by living, BIPOC, and female composers. We explore ways to reflect inclusivity, plurality, and curiosity in all parts of our organization, including programming, and we believe our art form is enriched by supporting and embracing different cultures and contemporary influences.

Boulder Symphony Music Academy likewise prioritizes DEI by providing bilingual instruction when possible and supporting under-resourced students with scholarships to take private music lessons. The Music Academy’s mission is to bring economic diversity to music education through outreach and student programs that target under-served areas and schools in Boulder County.

Our goals are to give a voice to the voiceless and bring equity to those who have been denied it in the music community. We take the responsibility of sharing music and expanding the audience that traditionally attends classical music events very seriously. BS&MA will continue to be inclusive, educate the community about diversity in music, and eliminate barriers to accessibility to classical music.

Overall, we at BS&MA prioritize diversifying our staff, orchestra, instructors, board, guest artists, volunteers, and patrons to the extent possible. These objectives are not a quest with an end goal but rather a foundational commitment and the heart of our organization.