Career Center

The Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) invites applications and nominations for a Senior Vice President (SVP) & General Manager (GM).

Reporting to the President and CEO, this individual serves as a member of the GRS senior management team and has overall responsibility for management of orchestra operations including season scheduling, concert production, budgeting, touring, recording and labor relations.  In collaboration with the Music Director, Pops Conductor, Assistant and affiliate conductors, the SVP/GM is responsible for ensuring the artistic elements of each production have been properly planned and contracted including confirming appropriate artists, conductors, repertoire and necessary instrumentation.

This is an office-based professional position with night and weekend requirements around rehearsals, concerts and events. 

Key Responsibilities

Senior Leadership

• Leads with a driving force to accomplish the mission and strategy of the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) and develops the future direction for the organization.
• Participates in fundraising and other activities that heighten public awareness, appreciation and support for the Grand Rapids Symphony.
• Ensures the Orchestra’s production and income requirements are met.
• Develops and monitors budgets and achieves income goals for programs and activities within the Production department's budget.
• Serves as a member of the GRS's financial management team and ensures that requests for budgets, cost estimates and financial projections are filled in a complete and timely manner.
• Reviews and approves payroll for Production team and musicians.
• Attends meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees as needed.
• When requested, represents the President at meetings and functions in the community.

Marketing & Community Engagement Efforts

• Assists in achieving GRS's goals for developing partnerships and building bridges to the community.
• Seeks out live performance opportunities throughout West Michigan and other areas, including run-out and tour concerts as well as media opportunities, recordings, television, radio, video, social media and other digital outlets.
• Steers the development of marketing strategies and action plans for concerts, ticket sales, program book and patron experience activities with the Marketing leaders.

Artistic Operations

• Responsible and accountable for planning, directing and supervising all Orchestra operations, scheduling, concert production, community programs and media activity as it relates to Orchestra and artistic matters, special events and touring.
• Works with each leader (artistic, marketing, and financial), evaluates and approves next season’s artistic planning.
• Ensures that the highest standards of professional excellence are maintained in the execution of all GRS productions.
  • Including, but not limited to, the sound and look of the orchestra to maintain a consistent quality/brand across all venues.
• Supports and processes confidential matters such as musician relations/reports and grievances along with the Personnel Manager and/or President & CEO when needed.
• Serves as a key member of management's negotiating team for all collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensures compliance with agreements and maintains a positive work environment that allows musicians to achieve the highest possible artistic standards.
• Maintains excellent communications between musicians and management.
• Serves as the principal staff artistic advisor and liaison with the Music Director, Pops Conductor, Assistant and affiliate conductors and other artistic personnel as required.
• Upholds open, collaborative and productive working relationships with artistic leadership.
• Collaborates with other administrative departments to prepare a multi-year, progressively more detailed plan for all classical and non-classical series (artists, repertoire, series’ focus and direction) to ensure optimal and economical use of Orchestra services.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises the Senior Director of Community Engagement & Education, Principal Librarian, Personnel Manager, Operations Manager, Production Stage Manager and various affiliate administrators. 

Skills & Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Combine strong entrepreneurial instincts and ability with a solid record of success in producing concerts and special events.
• Have the creative energy needed to enjoy the rapid pace of a vibrant musical organization and the creative talent to contribute substantially to the organization's continued growth, development and success.
• Have the ability to synthesize different viewpoints and make complex decisions for the best interest of the organization.
• Exemplify balancing artistic excellence, financial discipline, orchestra relations and organizational confidentiality while upholding healthy working relationships with all constituencies.
• Have experience working with an orchestra or ensemble in operations, media projects and touring.
• Have experience in conducting successful collective bargaining negotiations; scheduling of services, booking and managing orchestra run-outs and tours and special events, media activities and developing community programs and partnerships.
• Have experience in managing backstage functions of a concert hall.
• Have a proven record of success in managing complex projects, developing and managing budgets and achieving budget goals.
• Be comfortable with use of technology for current operations and will be actively interested in adopting future programs and applications.
• Have experience using Microsoft Office, DropBox, DocuSign and other commonly used applications.
• Have excellent organizational and communications skills and be capable of handling multiple demands, deadlines and competing priorities.
• Be able to quickly make decisions and respond promptly and effectively to meet the needs of musicians, staff and others for information and action.
• Be a strong team builder and team player with excellent personnel management and supervisory skills.
• Have the ability to work effectively with a volunteer Board and its committees
• Be skilled and experienced in working with diverse community populations and organizations.
• Be a person of the highest integrity and ethical standards with a deep love of symphonic and choral music, a passionate belief in the value and importance of symphony orchestras, and an abiding respect for musicians and staff.