EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CHARLESTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is seeking an Executive Director who shall be the “Chief Executive Officer” and as such, provide the leadership and direction necessary to enable the orchestra to achieve its on-going mission of providing high quality symphonic music to diverse audiences throughout the Greater Charleston community. The CSO makes orchestral music a vital part of the region’s cultural life by introducing its audiences to a large repertoire of classics, pops, chamber and choral music during a season beginning in September and ending in June.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra is the largest resident orchestra in the State of South Carolina and its largest nonprofit performing arts organization. Founded in 1936, it has evolved over the years into a full-time orchestra with 46 musicians who perform a demanding 10 month concert schedule from September through June of each year. Under the leadership of Maestro David Stahl, who became the Music Director in 1984, the orchestra grew from an annual budget of approximately $300,000 to its current operating level of more than $2.4 million.

The CSO includes a Symphony Chorus, a Gospel Chorus, in-school chamber music ensembles, a Youth Orchestra and frequent performing partnerships with other music and festival organizations.

CSO presents several concert series: Masterworks, Backstage Pass, Pops, CSO Chorus, CSO Gospel Choir and Youth Orchestra.

The Orchestra is highly regarded for artistic excellence and the quality of its presentations. Under the leadership of Maestro Stahl it regularly has attracted outstanding musicians from all of the well-known national and international conservatories. For young performers, it has served as a training ground for positions with major orchestras including Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, and Principal positions with such major orchestras as Boston, Houston, San Francisco, and Seattle.

THE CHARLESTON COMMUNITY: Charleston is a city of great charm and allure. With a population of 106,000 in a metropolitan area of 500,000, Charleston is internationally known for its historic preservation and well-established cultural traditions. A temperate climate, the Atlantic beaches, and a proliferation of outdoor activities attract people from all over the world who seek a more relaxed lifestyle either as tourists or those who aspire to make Charleston their home.

Charleston is a welcoming community for CSO musicians to live and work. They are able to augment their CSO income with teaching jobs at such institutions as the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University. There are many opportunities to work as free-lance musicians at weddings, receptions, festival recitals, and the like. Leading the CSO is a true challenge, but there are enormous rewards for the successful candidate including residing in Charleston, SC, one of the greatest arts and cultural centers in the USA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Executive Director shall be the “Chief Executive Officer” and as such, provide the leadership and direction necessary to enable the orchestra to achieve its on-going mission of providing high quality symphonic music to diverse audiences throughout the Greater Charleston community. The CSO makes orchestral music a vital part of the region’s cultural life by introducing its audiences to a large repertoire of classics, pops, chamber and choral music during a season beginning in September and ending in June.

The Executive Director shall oversee all aspects of management and operations including: concert production, contracts, marketing, public relations, community relations, budget preparation, financial controls, human resources, staff supervision, fund raising, development, planning and board operations.

The Executive Director shall report directly to the CSO Board of Directors, shall work closely, cooperatively and collaboratively with the Music Director who also reports directly to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director shall be responsible for hiring and supervising all managerial and administrative staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will be a true entrepreneur with a reputation for innovating, leading through challenging situations, fueling change, and capitalizing on non-traditional opportunities for growth. S/he will rapidly perceive market opportunities and then have the motivation, drive and ability to mobilize resources to leverage those opportunities. Key personal attributes include: the ability to move self-confidently through uncharted waters, tenaciousness, innovativeness, results-orientation, a measured risk-taker, and a total commitment to the non-profit mission of the CSO.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced orchestra executive with proven leadership ability and a record of success in fund raising, financial management, audience development, and human resource management. S/he will be a passionate advocate for symphony orchestras and the music they play. S/he will have a thorough knowledge of orchestra operations and production.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with excellent planning, analytic, financial management, and budgeting skills. S/he will be an enthusiastic fundraiser who can speak and write persuasively about the importance of music and orchestras in general and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in particular. S/he will have the marketing skills needed to build audiences and increase sales. S/he will have a proven record of success in achieving goals for earned and contributed income.

The successful candidate will have superb interpersonal and communication skills. S/he will have the ability to lead a staff in an environment that fosters creativity, teamwork, a commitment to excellence, and mutual respect. S/he will be an effective motivator of Board, staff, and volunteers. S/he will have a reputation for honesty, fairness, and high ethical standards in all aspects of professional work.

The successful candidate will be a person of high energy, humor, creativity, enthusiasm, and optimism. S/he will have a thorough understanding of the challenges facing orchestras today, with the vision and intellect to address them effectively. S/he will welcome the opportunity to be an active and visible participant in the Charleston community and to join in a leadership role with the Board, musicians, staff, and volunteers in realizing the orchestra’s vision, mission, and goals.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Open until Filled

RATE OF PAY: Compensation, including benefits, is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

HOW TO APPLY: Send resume/CV, cover letter and references to the address listed below:

ATTN: Chairman, Executive Director Search Committee
Charleston Symphony Orchestra
145 King Street, Suite 145
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 720-3885

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit: www.charlestonsymphony.com