Vice President of Orchestra and Production (Minneapolis)

Description

Department:

Orchestra Operations

Reports To:

President and CEO

Classification:

Exempt

Status:

Regular, Full-time

Direct Reports:

10 direct reports; 3 in-direct reports

Salary Range:

$150,000 - $175,000

Position Summary:

The Vice President of Orchestra and Production (VPOP) is an executive leadership role responsible for overseeing orchestra management and concert operations of the Minnesota Orchestra, guided by the MOA’s vision, values, and strategic plan. As a member of the senior management team, the position reports to the President and CEO and ensures operational and production implementation of concert experiences for audiences at Orchestra Hall, in the community, and throughout the region. The VPOP manages a team of five full-time staff, three librarians, and five stage crew and collaborates closely with the Music Director, Orchestra leadership, and the entire senior management team to support artistic excellence while maintaining financial sustainability and operational efficiency.

About the Minnesota Orchestra

The Minnesota Orchestra is a Grammy Award-winning orchestra known for acclaimed performances in Minnesota and around the world, a storied history of recordings and radio broadcasts, innovative educational engagement programs and a commitment to new orchestral music. Founded by Emil Oberhoffer in 1903 as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, the organization was the eighth major orchestra established in the United States. In 1911, it began a series of children's concerts under the sponsorship of the Young People's Symphony Concert Association (YPSCA), which continues to this day. Early in the 1920s, the orchestra was one of the first to be heard on recordings and on the radio, playing a nationally broadcast concert with guest conductor Bruno Walter in 1923. In 1968, the orchestra changed its name to the Minnesota Orchestra (or Minnesota Orchestral Association).

Today the Orchestra performs a wide variety of music including nearly 175 concerts in a typical year, primarily at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, the organization’s home since 1974. The Orchestra is led by Music Director Thomas Søndergård and has historically toured regularly throughout Minnesota, nationally and abroad.

The Minnesota Orchestra has an annual budget of $42.6M and ended FY2024 with net assets of $185.5M. The organization employs 92 musicians, 86 FT staff and many more PT staff, and is supported and governed by an 80+ member Board of Directors. Last year, 224,049 guests attended in-person concerts and an additional 168,810 watched digitally – for a total audience of 393,859. With streaming listeners included, the Orchestra reached more than 2 million people.

At the Minnesota Orchestra, we believe every employee is essential to the success of the organization and critical to accomplishing our mission to enrich, inspire and serve our community. Our working relationships are based on respect for each other as individuals, confidence in one another, and a genuine desire to actively listen and collaborate with each other. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization that honors and reflects the community we serve, welcomes, and instills diversity across our organization, and nurtures an equitable and inclusive culture.

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Essential Functions:

Orchestra Management

• Serve as an advocate for the Orchestra, nurturing a strong rapport with Orchestra leadership and fostering a work environment characterized by healthy relationships with Orchestra musicians. Primary staff liaison with the musicians’ committee (MOMC).
• Administer the Orchestra’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and serve as first point of contact with American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 30-73, ensuring accurate adherence to all terms of the Agreement and applicable labor laws.
• Collaborate with the President and CEO and other senior leadership in the collective bargaining process with AFM Local 30-73, ensuring productive negotiations that advance the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
• Provide counsel to the Music Director on Orchestra audition planning, recruitment, retention, culture, and personnel matters impacting the artistic excellence of the ensemble.
• Oversee functions and related activities of the Orchestra library and librarians.
• Negotiate individual musician contracts.

Concert Operations and Production:

• Oversee all aspects of on-stage and backstage production, including rehearsals, performances, special events, rentals, and concerts outside of Orchestra Hall.
• Ensure equipment and production needs are fulfilled, maintained, and optimized in accordance with artistic standards, safety requirements, and financial parameters.
• In consultation with the VP of Artistic Planning and Director of Artistic Operations, develop and maintain multi-year rehearsal, performance, and venue calendars, ensuring adherence with labor agreements and balancing efficient use of orchestra services and Orchestra Hall.
• Manage the work of the stage crew consistent with the terms of the Orchestra’s agreement with IATSE Local 13 and applicable labor laws. Interpret, implement, and uphold terms of the Agreement while cultivating an on-stage environment supporting high artistic standards and operational efficiency.
• Lead the collective bargaining process with IATSE Local 13, ensuring productive negotiations that advance the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
• Manage relationships and negotiations for fee-based engagements and co-productions within the state of Minnesota, ensuring compliance with contracts and agreements.

Team Leadership & Financial Management

• Supervise the Director of Artistic Operations, Orchestra Personnel Manager, librarians, and stage crew, fostering a culture of collegiality, excellence, and collaboration.
• Manage recruitment, training, and performance evaluations for orchestra operations and production staff. Serve as a key liaison between artistic and operations teams.
• Lead and implement strategies, in collaboration with VP of People and Culture, to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, internal culture, belonging, recruitment, and retention of Orchestra, production, and operations personnel.
• Develop and oversee the Orchestra, stage crew, library, and production budgets, ensuring cost-effective resource allocation, monitoring, and forecasting.
• Identify ongoing opportunities for process improvements and efficiency in concert production, orchestra operations, and touring logistics.

Electronic Media & Touring

• Administer and interpret AFM media agreements, ensuring accurate payments, required reporting, and any applicable royalty distribution. Negotiate and administer recording contracts in collaboration with other senior management.
• Execute national/international tours and residencies, coordinating logistics, travel, and production needs for the Orchestra.
• Coordinate local broadcasting plans and schedule with Minnesota Public Radio.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend concerts and events frequently to gain additional insight into the performance of the Orchestra and develop meaningful relationships with audience members.
• Communicate with orchestra, staff, and Board of Directors regarding orchestra operations and production matters.
• Engage with industry organizations such as the League of American Orchestras, the American Federation of Musicians, Sphinx, and the International Conference of Symphony and Orchestra Musicians, to stay informed of trends and activities in the orchestra sector.
• Perform other duties as needed or directed.

Leadership Expectations:

The leader in this position is well-informed, of high integrity, and can easily build trust. The following are expected leadership qualities for this role:

• Demonstrate integrity in actions and words
• Demonstrate a commitment to the MN Orchestra Values
• Set clear goals and priorities, holding yourself and direct reports accountable to meet strategic priorities
• Ability to effectively lead through changing priorities
• Coach and counsel direct reports regarding individual performance and other career development areas, taking corrective action when necessary
• Create an environment that inspires a high level of commitment and performance
• Lead innovation and positive change on your team and across the organization
• Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, and training employees

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, business, music, or a related field
• Minimum of 8 years of experience with an orchestra or performing arts organization, with at least 4 years in a director or senior-level leadership role
• Strong knowledge of orchestral music, orchestra management best practices, production and technical equipment, back-of-house venue operations, and stage management
• Experience developing and managing complex budgets and union agreements (AFM, IATSE, etc.)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills
• A people-oriented leader who demonstrates emotional intelligence, flexibility,