Executive Director

Boston Landmarks Orchestra seeks an inspiring leader to advance the Orchestra’s mission of building community through innovative, free classical musical programming, accessibility and inclusiveness. Our new Executive Director will have a proven track record in fund raising and community outreach, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to lead the Orchestra to achieve its strategic, organizational and financial goals.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director manages an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million and currently a full time professional staff of 2, plus part time, seasonal staff and consultants, and collaborates with the long-time and visionary Music Director, Christopher Wilkins, and the Artistic Administrator to achieve the artistic priorities of the Orchestra. The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the civic and cultural roles that the performing arts in general, and orchestral music in particular, can play in bringing people together and improving the quality of life in our society, as well as, a commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion through the arts.

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Responsibilities include:

Fundraising: As Chief Development Officer, the Executive Director creates and executes a comprehensive development and institutional advancement program, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual, foundation, corporate, and government donors. He/she plans and executes fundraising events such as the annual Gala, and leads endowment and capitalization campaigns.

Board Development and Governance: Works closely with the Board to ensure strong fiscal health and effective governance following best practices in the industry. Helps to identify and recruit new Trustees and Overseers; energizes Board members in their roles as fundraisers, policymakers and community ambassadors. Works with the Board Chair to plan the meetings of the Trustees, Overseers, and their committees. Ensures that by-laws and written policies are followed and recommends potential changes to such policies. Serves as ex-officio member on all Board committees. Attends all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee; prepares and presents reports for each Board and Executive Committee meeting and for other committee meetings as required.

Budgeting: With the Board, Music Director, Artistic Administrator, and Finance Manager, develops and manages the annual budget and financial strategies of the Orchestra. Oversees the management of cash flow and ensures the most effective use of financial resources to support the Orchestra’s mission.

Administrative Management: Manages and leads the Orchestra’s administrative (non-artistic) staff. Hires additional staff in accordance with the annual budget and the mission of the Orchestra. Advises the Board on Human Resource policies, and assures that these policies comply with state and federal laws. Supervises the operation of the Landmarks office. With the advice and authorization of the Board, conducts lease negotiations; and with the assistance of the Office Manager, ensures that information technology needs are met.

Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations: Campaigns for increased awareness and impact of the organization, clearly articulating its mission, vision, programs and strategic direction, and develops plans to attract a diverse audience. Oversees all marketing, social media and public relations initiatives for the organization, with the assistance of part time staff and consultants. Ensures that the work and mission of the Orchestra is effectively communicated to the public through the media and electronic publications (website, newsletter emails, and social media).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Works with the Board, Music Director, and staff to further the Orchestra’s goals of increasing diversity, equity and inclusion in our audiences, staff, musicians, Board, and partners. Seeks the advice of experts in these fields, and stays current with current recommendations on best practices from sources such as the League of American Orchestras.

Community Outreach: In collaboration with the Music Director, develops and maintains partnerships with community arts, education, and cultural organizations to advance the Orchestra’s outreach activities and collaborative partnerships throughout Boston.

Labor Negotiations: In consultation with the Board, the Artistic Staff and, outside counsel, acts as the principal representative of the Orchestra in labor negotiations with the Boston Musicians’ Association and other unions, as necessary.
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• Qualifications – the successful candidate will demonstrate the following or similar experience:
• At least 7 years of management and administrative experience in the non-profit sector, including a minimum of 3 years of experience designing and executing development strategies and fundraising efforts for a non-profit
• Solid financial management and budgeting skills
• A strong understanding of and passion for classical music, and an ability to communicate its importance persuasively to a broad range of audiences
• Proven leadership ability and measurable experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing, audience development and increasing revenue
• Passion for and dedication to raising funds personally, especially cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and transformational gifts
• Experience managing or working in a capital or endowment campaign
• Strategic thinker with the capacity to envision the future and plan long-term, while managing multiple current activities with care and attention to detail
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with the Board, staff, patrons, donors, and the community
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate the organization’s vision in person and in writing
• Ingenuity, dedication, enthusiasm, humor, and energy, good judgment. A desire and ability to work collaboratively with the Board, Music Director, Artistic Staff, and to lead and inspire by example

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Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience for similar positions with Group 5/6 orchestras, as defined by the League of American Orchestras. Boston Landmarks Orchestra offers a competitive benefits package to its employees including health insurance and paid annual vacation.

Applications: The position is available immediately. Please send a cover letter, resume and three (3) professional references to: search@landmarksorchestra.org. Applications will reviewed on a rolling basis until January 17, 2020. Questions may be addressed to the Search Committee at the above e-mail address. No calls please.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra

The Boston Landmarks Orchestra was founded in 2001 by conductor and community advocate, Charles Ansbacher. The Orchestra is comprised of professional musicians, and is active in the neighborhoods of Boston. The Orchestra is currently led by Music Director and Conductor, Christopher Wilkins in collaboration with the Executive Director and Artistic Administrator, Arthur Rishi. The name of the Orchestra comes from the close connection the Orchestra has to Boston’s public spaces, having performed on the Boston Common, in the Charlestown Navy Yard and at Fenway Park, in addition to public parks, youth centers and under-served neighborhoods throughout the City. In 2007, the Orchestra established a regular summer concert series at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade, entertaining a growing audience along the banks of the Charles River on a weekly basis.

The performances of the Orchestra are designed to be approachable, with storylines and visual elements adding context and excitement to the experience. The Orchestra regularly collaborates with other Boston area artists and organizations including Boston Ballet II, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the New England Aquarium. In recent years, the Orchestra has become a leader in promoting accessibility and inclusiveness, and is proud to be a Massachusetts Cultural Council UP Organization, and is the only orchestra to have earned that distinction.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra is part Boston tradition, part Beantown innovation; and has become an essential part of summertime in Boston.

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Boston Landmarks Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.