Earl R. Merrill: President & Chief Executive Officer

The Jacksonville Symphony is pleased to be working with HC Smith Ltd in its search for a new President & Chief Executive Officer. The Jacksonville Symphony (www.jaxsymphony.org) brings together orchestral music and choral music as well as youth education and community engagement to strengthen the Southeast community by providing quality live performances, education for lifetime enrichment and the perpetuation of the performing arts. The Symphony seeks a dynamic and experienced individual for the position of President & Chief Executive Officer to be the administrative leader of the organization.

The Jacksonville Symphony is one of Northeast Florida’s most important cultural institutions, with a budget of approximately $10 million. Founded in 1949, the Symphony is ranked among the top orchestras in the Southeastern United States. The Symphony’s home, Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall, is considered to be an acoustic gem. Each year thousands enjoy the Symphony’s performances both at Jacoby Symphony Hall in the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts and at venues located throughout the state of Florida.

As Music Director Courtney Lewis begins his fourth season on the conductor’s podium, the Jacksonville Symphony celebrates an expanded 2018-2019 season that promises more weeks of music reaching more people than ever before. In the 2017-2018 season, the Symphony reached almost 290,000 individuals through 309 performances. Over the years, the Jacksonville Symphony has hosted some of the most renowned artists of the music world including Isaac Stern, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Marilyn Horne, Luciano Pavarotti, Itzhak Perlman, Kathleen Battle, Mstislav Rostropovich, Audra McDonald, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Renée Fleming, Branford Marsalis and Alisa Weilerstein.

The Symphony is also the community’s leader in music education for children, serving four county school districts. In addition to offering free tickets to children under the age of 18 for selected Florida Blue Masterworks concerts, and other special youth pricing, there are several programs to foster music education and community engagement. In June, the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestras embarked on their first national tour as one of only three student orchestras invited to perform in the Los Angeles International Music Festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and in 2020, the Symphony itself will participate in SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Symphony was selected as just one of four orchestras in recognition of its innovation leadership in programming.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The President & Chief Executive Officer will be a transparent, communicating and collaborative leader, responsible for managing the human and financial resources of the Symphony in order to achieve the organization’s mission and the goals of the Symphony’s strategic vision. A true external and internal partner with the music director, the President & CEO is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the organization, and for implementing the policies set by the Board of Directors. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO will possess a genuine love of orchestral music and be passionately committed to the artistic, fundraising, community and financial success of the Symphony. The next President & CEO will work with the Board and administrative leadership to ensure that the Symphony operates on a stable financial basis and that it carries out its obligation and mission to serve as a community, cultural and educational institution.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide creative leadership in developing the institution and maximizing the resources of the Symphony, developing and maintaining productive relationships among all constituents; shaping the vision for the Symphony.
Prepare and manage annual and capital budgets, including providing the Board with timely, clear and accurate reports and projections on financial, fundraising and operational activities; and ensuring a comprehensive system of internal controls
Reporting to the Board of Directors, lead the Symphony’s daily operations, including interfacing with all key constituents both internally (staff, board, musicians) and externally (patrons, supporters, partners, the public), to achieve all expected results related to operational, fundraising and financial objectives. Serve as lead fundraiser and oversee the fiscal operations for the Symphony.
Working with the Board of Directors, develop strategies for increasing contributed income, from both current supporting entities and new funding sources; managing and participating in capital campaign and other comprehensive programs to build contributed revenue.
Lead the development and execution of annual and long-term operating plans that secure the best possible realization of visionary and mission goals and financial performance for the Symphony.
Oversee the hiring and management of employees of the Symphony, including maintaining the effective, efficient and collaborative operation of the organization with respect to both structure and personnel; ensure ongoing successful negotiations with musicians’ and stagehands’ unions, providing leadership and mentoring to staff with an emphasis on teamwork, accountability and productivity;
Working with the Music Director, develop and produce symphonic music performances and educational/community programs to further the strategic and artistic mission of the Symphony.
Serve as the Symphony’s top administrative ambassador locally, statewide, nationally and internationally; increase the Symphony’s reputation to secure its place in the community. Work with the Board to develop strategies to increase awareness of the Symphony and build audiences.
Assure that the position of valued community and regional asset is enhanced; effectively communicating and interpreting community needs, attitudes and values.
Apply new ways to solve complex situations, originating new techniques, criteria or standards to address innovative opportunities, challenges or initiatives.

DESIRED CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES:

Six-plus (6+) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably with a professional symphony orchestra association or performing arts business of similar scale and complexity, with a particular expertise in organizational development, financial administration, and funding success.
Bachelor’s degree (master’s or advanced degree in music, business or related field a plus), with a deep understanding of the importance of classical music in society.
Sterling business and financial management skills and demonstrated track record and success in managing large, complex matters with significant budgetary and employee responsibility.
Deep experience with Board development, recruitment, support and governance.
Success in high level fundraising, donor stewardship, public funding, endowment planning and growth and other strategic development efforts.
Demonstrated success in effectively prioritizing, delegating and executing on multiple projects and initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
Proven experience in creatively and effectively bringing about positive change, and creating and/or maintaining high morale, including a history of development, mentorship and support of effective staff teams.
Successful and collaborative negotiator with experience in a unionized environment.
Current knowledge of issues related to the field of orchestra management.
Skilled communicator, learner, listener and collaborator – open, approachable, personable – who promotes a positive working environment within the organization and community.
Demonstrated poise and integrity representing the institution, and use of that public persona to develop new opportunities for the organization.
Ability to manage vision and purpose as a strategic, decisive, supportive and gracious leader and mentor in a fast-paced environment.

APPLY

H C SMITH LTD – JACKSONVILLE SYMPHONY
President & Chief Executive Officer
24000 Mercantile Road – Suite 7 – Beachwood, Ohio 44122
E-MAIL: rebecca@hcsmith.com
http://www.hcsmith.com
(216) 752-9966

Our client is an equal opportunity employer

https://www.jaxsymphony.org