The mission of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (GSO) is to enrich the cultural life of Greensboro and surrounding areas through the development, production, and promotion of the highest quality music and music education programs. Its programs include the Masterworks, POPS, and a diverse suite of music education programs that span five North Carolina counties and inspires the hearts of children and adults who need it most.
Position Summary
The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra seeks an energetic, strategic, and relationship-centered Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter. This leader will build on the Symphony’s strong reputation, talented artists, dedicated supporters, long-standing educational programs, the talents of a world-class Music Director, state-of-the art performance and rehearsal venues, and an important role in the cultural life of Greensboro. The ideal candidate brings a forward-looking approach, proven ability to turn vision into action, and experience and success in audience growth, donor engagement, sponsorship growth and ticket sales, and community impact.
The Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer is the chief executive and strategic leader of the symphony orchestra, responsible for advancing the organization’s artistic mission, financial sustainability, community impact, and organizational excellence. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in close partnership with the Music Director, the Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer provides visionary leadership to a complex organization that includes board members, musicians, staff, donors, volunteers, a guild, civic partners, and audiences.
This role requires an exceptional leader who can unite diverse constituencies around a shared vision for the future of the orchestra while balancing artistic ambition with operational and financial realities. The Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer must be a skilled communicator, diplomat, strategist, and relationship builder who thrives in an environment shaped by strong personalities, creative collaboration, and public visibility. A defining responsibility of the Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer is cultivating a productive and respectful partnership with the Music Director. The Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer also partners with the Board of Directors helping trustees develop and sustain a compelling long-term vision for the orchestra’s artistic excellence, financial health, audience growth, education relevance, and civic importance.
Primary Responsibilities
- Organizational Leadership
- Provide visionary and strategic leadership for all aspects of the symphony orchestra.
- Inspire alignment among board members, musicians, staff, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders.
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.
- Develop and implement strategies that maximize the organization’s strengths and future potential.
- Establish actionable goals and drive measurable outcomes across artistic, financial, and audience-development areas.
- Board and Leadership and Governance
- Partner with the Board Chair and Board of Directors to establish and execute a compelling strategic vision for the orchestra.
- Guide the board in governance best practices, long-range planning, fiduciary oversight, and institutional stewardship.
- Support board development, recruitment, engagement, education, and succession planning.
- Help trustees become effective ambassadors, advocates, and philanthropic leaders for the organization.
- Ensure timely, transparent, and accurate communication with the board regarding organizational performance, opportunities, and challenges.
- Lead discussions that build consensus around artistic priorities, financial sustainability, audience engagement, and community impact.
- Maintain clarity around the respective governance and management roles of the board, Executive Director/ President and Chief Executive Officer, and Music Director.
- Partnership with the Music Director
- Develop and maintain a highly collaborative and respectful relationship with the Music Director.
- Support the artistic vision of the Music Director while ensuring alignment with organizational strategy, financial realities, and institutional priorities.
- Facilitate healthy communication and collaboration between the Music Director, board, musicians, and administrative staff.
- Operations and Administration
- Oversee daily administrative functions, policies, and systems (ie. IT, financial reporting software), etc.
- Supervise office staff, production staff, marketing personnel, development, and other administrative team members.
- Support a healthy, professional, and accountable workplace culture.
- Contract Negotiation and Venue Relations
- Lead negotiations and manage contracts with musicians, guest artists, and relevant institutional partners.
- Oversee contractual relationships with the City of Greensboro, including partnerships connected to the Tanger Center, and Cultural Arts Center; and the Dean & Marilyn Green Rehearsal Hall.
- Ensure agreements support both artistic excellence and operational efficiency.
- Human Resources and Organizational Culture
- Foster a workplace culture grounded in professionalism, collaboration, respect, and accountability.
- Provide leadership (clear expectations, strong communication, and team accountability) to office staff, musicians, production staff, development staff, and marketing staff.
- Oversee recruitment, retention, supervision, performance management, evaluation, and professional development of staff.
- Marketing and Communications
- Oversee institutional branding, audience development, public relations, and communications strategy.
- Collaborate with staff to expand audiences, strengthen patron loyalty, and increase public visibility.
- Guide and innovate playbill creations, print advertising, radio and television outreach, social media presence, and digital communication.
- Serve as a compelling spokesperson for the organization in media, civic, donor, and community approaches.
- Development and Fundraising
- Support a culture of philanthropy that advances the Symphony’s long-term sustainability.
- Participate actively in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Lead development efforts involving corporate sponsorships, individual giving, foundation grants, and special campaigns.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and philanthropic partners.
- Financial Oversight
- Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal management in coordination with staff and board leadership.
- Monitor revenue and expenses carefully to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Help position the organization for financial health and future growth.
- Promote transparency and accountability in all financial matters.
- Artistic and Educational Oversight
- Work in close partnership with artistic leadership to support season planning, programming, and artistic goals.
- Support education and community engagement programs that broaden access to music and deepen community impact.
- Provide oversight for music education initiatives and community engagement efforts.
- Ensure that artistic vision, educational programming, and organizational strategy are aligned.
- Community and Civic Engagement
- Represent the Symphony with energy, professionalism, and optimism in the community.
- Build and strengthen relationships with civic, business, educational, and arts partners.
- Expand the Symphony’s visibility and relevance throughout Greensboro and the broader region.
- Strengthen the orchestra’s visibility, accessibility, and relevance across diverse audiences.
- Advocate for the importance of music, arts education, and cultural investment within the broader community.
CONTACT
To be considered, please include a Letter of Interest/ Cover Letter and Resume or CV.
ALL INQUIRIES AND CANDIDATES WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL!
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in arts administration, nonprofit management, business, public administration, music, or a related field preferred.
- Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, arts, cultural, educational, or mission-driven organization.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, sponsorship development, and community engagement.
- Strong financial management, budgeting, and operational oversight skills.
- Experience supervising staff and working effectively with boards, donors, artists, volunteers, and leadership teams.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and public-speaking skills.
- Ability to lead with positivity, clarity, and accountability.
- Appreciation for orchestral music and its value to community life.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to balance artistic goals, operational needs, and financial responsibility.
- Proven ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and relationship management across multiple constituencies.
- Deep appreciation for orchestral music and the role of arts in civic life.
Preferred Attributes
- Experience in a symphony orchestra or performing arts environment.
- Track record of increasing ticket sales, donor participation, and sponsorship support.
- Familiarity with nonprofit governance, earned income, contributed revenue, and campaign strategy.
- Strong ambassadorial presence and the ability to inspire confidence among stakeholders.
- Commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and broad community engagement.