Opportunities

Description

The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras welcomes applications and nominations for the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, available in the early Summer of 2023.

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras

https://www.bysoweb.org/

The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that has been in residence at the Boston University College of Fine Arts since 1958. BYSO’s mission is to encouragemusical excellence in a professional and supportive environment by providing the highest-quality orchestra training and performance opportunities to qualified musicians, grades K-12. Also at the core of BYSO’s mission is making exceptional classical music experiences accessible to youth from all Boston communities.

At the time of its founding, BYSO was a modest orchestra of 80 high school students. Since then, theorganization has grown exponentially in terms of size and scope. Today, BYSO provides an unparalleledmusic education experience for more than 500 students annually across a robust array of programs that includes three full symphonic orchestras, two young string training orchestras, a preparatory wind ensemble, a chamber music program, and the Intensive Community Program (ICP) – a nationallyrecognized outreach program offering exceptional musical training to students of color from greater Boston.

Not only does BYSO provide students with a pathway to artistic mastery, but participation in BYSO’s orchestral training programs also offers students ages four through 18 a unique opportunity to cultivate important skills for lifelong success. One hundred percent of BYSO students graduate from high school and 99% go on to seek undergraduate degrees upon leaving BYSO’s programs.

Since its founding, BYSO has relied on the Boston University College of Fine Arts and other partner institutions to host its programs. Year after year, facilities partnerships have allowed BYSO to expand the size of its student body and the scope of its impact. However, BYSO’s programs have now outgrownthe space available at the University. In February 2023, BYSO took a momentous step forward tostrengthen the quality, visibility, and accessibility of its programs by acquiring 235 Huntington Avenue, an historic iconic building on Christian Science Plaza across from Boston’s Symphony Hall, to be the BYSO Youth Center for Music.

BYSO is currently in Phase One of a two-phase plan to acquire, renovate, and build a three-story addition to the existing building. In the 2023/2024 season, the new space will host several of BYSO’s orchestra ensembles and all activities for the Intensive Community Program. Once Phase Two is complete, the BYSO Youth Center for Music will host all BYSO programs and will include orchestra rehearsal,educational, gathering, and community spaces. The BYSO Youth Center for Music will be designed to encourage musical curiosity and growth and will provide unfettered access to music-making at the highest level for all of Boston’s children for generations to come.

BYSO is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors and has an annual operating budget of $4.5million. BYSO has a part-time conducting and artistic staff of 13 in addition to 20 ICP teachers and an administrative staff of 20. Federico Cortese has been Music Director of BYSO since 1999.

With the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer, Catherine Weiskel, who has been Executive Director since 1996, will become President and Chief Executive Officer. The President and CEO will focus on the funding and development of the BYSO Youth Center; the COO will oversee the programs and on-going operations of BYSO, ensuring that the organization continues to fulfill its mission and achieve its goalsfor excellence and access.

The Opportunity

The new Chief Operating Officer (COO) will join a dynamic, forward-thinking organization at a pivotal moment in its 65-year history. The COO will work in partnership with the CEO, the Music Director, the Chief Development Officer, and the Chief Facilities Officer to expand the vision of BYSO and seize the opportunities and possibilities presented by the new BYSO Youth Center for Music. The COO will take a leadership role in an organization with a dedicated and engaged Board, an experienced and highly skilled staff, and well-deserved reputation for musical and educational excellence, financial strength, and organizational stability.

The Position

With the President and CEO, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Development Officer, and the Chief Facilities Officer form the executive leadership team of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. The COO reports to the CEO and provides leadership, oversight, guidance, and support to a staff of 10 that includes the Director of Operations and Community Programs, Director of Finance, and Director of Marketing and Public Relations and their respective team members. The COO interacts on a regular basis with all BYSO stakeholders, including the Board and its committees, the artistic staff, parents, patrons, and the greater Boston music and music education community.

The COO is responsible and accountable for the day-to-day operations of BYSO, ensuring that the organization continues to meet and exceed its standards of excellence in music, education, and impact in the greater Boston community. The COO works with the Director of Operations and Community Programs to provide direction, impetus, and oversight to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of BYSO programs and operations, consistent with the vision of the CEO, the Music Director, and the Board. The COO works with the Director of Operations and Community Programs to foster and ensures a safe and supportive environment that enables the Music Director, youth orchestra musicians, and faculty to focus on making music and to do their best work. The COO encourages innovation, creative problem-solving, and interdepartmental collaboration throughout the organization.

The COO ensures the implementation of best practices in human resource management. The COO works with the CEO and the Director of Finance to embed the principals of equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and belonging in the administration, employment practices, and operations of BYSO. The COO takes a leadership role in developing a diverse workforce and ensuring that the compensation, benefits, and professional development opportunities offered to staff are equitably implemented and are competitive in the Boston market.

The COO oversees the financial operations of BYSO, including the preparation of operating and capital budgets, operating statements, and monthly forecasts. Working with the Director of Finance, the COO monitors cash flow and overall performance against budget, recommending adjustments as needed and ensuring that the CEO and the Board have timely and accurate financial reports to inform their decision-making. The COO is BYSO’s liaison with consultants, legal counsel, etc., on matters of administration and operations.

The COO, working with the Director of Marketing and Public Relations, ensures effective communication throughout the organization among staff, Board, musicians, faculty, and parents. The COO oversees the implementation of effective marketing, branding, public relations, and social media strategies that promote the programs and activities of the BYSO, attract audiences, and drive sales for concerts and special events. The COO represents the CEO at BYSO and community events as requested.

Candidates for this position must be able to accept a work schedule that includes regular Sundayrehearsals and performances, occasional evenings, a two-week summer camp each August in Maine, and some international touring.

Requirements

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a leader who combines a passion for music and music education with successful experience managing human and financial resources in a not-for-profit performing arts organization. The candidate will have a strong working knowledge of music and orchestras, successful experience collaborating with creative and performing artists, and a deep commitment to the development of young musicians. Experience working in a professional symphony orchestra, though not required, will be an asset.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and a superb listener with a management style that encourages creativity, innovation, risk-taking, and collaboration. The candidate will have a high level of emotional intelligence and the proven ability to work effectively with multiple and diverse stakeholders.The candidate will have excellent supervisory skills and the willingness to mentor talent.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, access, and belonging in all aspects of a performing arts organization. Experience working in a multi-cultural K-12 environment will be considered an asset.

The successful candidate will be a person of integrity and high ethical standards with a strong commitment to transparency. The candidate will be curious, imaginative, flexible, nimble, and decisive. The candidate will welcome the opportunity to inspire, encourage, support, and add value to a high performing administrative team, and to be an active participant in the Boston music education community.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $110,000 to $115,000, including a contribution to health insurance.

Applications

The Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all facets of the organization and welcomes recommendations, nominations, and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or national origin.

Please prepare a cover letter that describes your specific interest in the BYSO and outlines your qualifications for the position. Please submit with a resumé, salary requirements, and contact information for at least three professional references. Electronic submissions are requested. All applications will be treated as confidential and references will not be contacted without the candidate’s knowledge and agreement. The position will remain open until filled; application review will begin in early May.

Please send materials to:

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras - COO

c/o Catherine French Group

2500 Q Street NW, Suite 623

Washington, DC 20007

applications@catherinefrenchgroup.com

Please submit material in Adobe PDF format