Executive Director
: Job Details :

Description

The Walla Walla Symphony is committed to making our community a better place to live by awakening a passion for the arts in as many people as possible. As the oldest continuously operating symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi, we are the largest arts organization in the Walla Walla valley providing world-class musical experiences.

We strive for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as we support and promote orchestral music, artistry, and music education in our community. Each season, we present an average of seven (7) concerts with an orchestra of local and regional professional musicians as well as a variety of community music education programs serving 8,000-10,000 community members a year. We are a team of about 10 staff (3 full-time, 8 part-time) and 19 governing board members with an annual budget of nearly $ 1 million.

We are looking for a collaborative, engaging, and inspiring Executive Director who is committed to fulfilling the Walla Walla Symphony's potential as an artistic and community resource. Our ideal candidate will enjoy working collaboratively with the Board, Music Director, staff and musicians to fulfill the orchestra's mission, artistic potential, and role in the community.

Our ideal candidate is an excellent listener and communicator who knows how to establish and maintain effective relationships with community members, organizational partners, and donors. They are strategic with an ability to act creatively and inclusively in fundraising efforts for organizational sustainability and growth. Additionally, and importantly, our next Executive Director will understand that one of the most important parts of any effective organization is a supported and well-resourced staff team. Our Executive Director will have the courage and creativity to listen to, invest in, and lead this team with conviction, compassion, and heart.

ABOUT YOU

You are an:

* Engaging and confident leader who can bring vision and strategic thinking to the role and the work;

* Experienced nonprofit professional who is adept at team-building and staff engagement;

* Experienced manager who understands nonprofit finance and fundraising and is excited to lean into the opportunity to grow our donor base and community engagement; and

* Engaging communicator who can build relationships with various communities and represent the organization to external audiences.

With:

* A demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging;

* Past success working and partnering with a Board of Directors to collectively lead the organization to continued success and growth;

* A commitment to supporting and growing the outreach and educational offerings of the organization;

* An understanding of the performing arts industry and the ability and experience to collaborate with our Music Director to bring engaging and creative programs to the community; and

* Past experience and administrative know-how to manage and grow a small organization, to enhance systems and practices, and strive for continual improvement.

If that's you, here's what we can offer:

* An annual salary in the range of $85-95K (commensurate with experience) and a generous benefits package (health insurance, retirement plan w match; paid holidays and a paid year-end closure-Christmas Eve thru New Year's Day; and Summer Fridays, with early closure);

* Engaged, talented, and motivated staff, Board, musicians, and a committed network of volunteers and donors;

* Plenty of opportunity to put your creativity and ideas to good use;

* An organizational culture that values diversity and a sense of belonging, plays to the strengths of its members, works to advance equity and inclusion, and is tirelessly devoted to broadening its reach in our community.

* A flexible work environment. We value your work-life balance. The nature of the position requires some evening and weekend work and we will want you to make time to rest and recharge.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Executive Director provides leadership and direction to the organization in realizing its mission and advancing its vision throughout the region. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in building partnerships, driving strategic initiatives, and ensuring that the work of WWS embodies its mission and core values of equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Leadership

Guide the organization's long-term vision and strategy, ensuring continued relevance and sustainable growth. Lead initiatives to center community relationships, creating inclusive programming and spaces where everyone, regardless of background, feels welcomed and valued.

Financial Management

Oversee budgeting and financial planning to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization. Ensure accurate financial records, including accounts payable and receivable, banking, and budget oversight. Prepare and submit annual operating budgets for Board review, with monthly financial statements for ongoing monitoring. Sit on the Endowment Committee, oversee other funds/endowments as necessary, reporting to donors and stakeholders as needed and appropriate.

Community Engagement and Education

Lead the music education program planning and deployment. Oversee existing educational programs, engaging diverse communities and creating inclusive spaces for learning and musical exploration. Serve as ambassador for the Symphony, building partnerships and fostering relationships with local organizations, patrons, and the community.

Fundraising and Development

Lead all fundraising efforts, including securing corporate sponsorships, cultivating individual donors, and organizing major fundraising events. Oversee and collaborate on grant applications and reporting for funders.

Board Relations and Governance

Prepare Board meeting agenda in collaboration with the President and/or Executive Committee. Attend all Board meetings, prepare reports and presentations as required. Meet regularly with the Board Executive Committee and act as a liaison between the Board and staff, supporting Board development and participating in Board committee work as needed. Collaborate with the Board on policy formation, strategic planning, and major initiatives, ensuring alignment with mission, vision, and commitment to DEIB

Artistic Administration and Production

Collaborate with the Music Director & Conductor, General Manager, and Orchestra Committee to plan artistic programs and initiatives. Assist in selecting guest artists, guest conductors, performing groups, and programming. Negotiate and execute contracts for guest artists, arranging transportation, lodging, and accommodations as necessary. Secure venues, negotiating concert hall leases as required.

Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations

Strengthen the Symphony brand through innovative marketing strategies. Cultivate relationships with media outlets, generating feature stories that promote the Symphony's mission. Oversee ticket sales operations, ensuring efficient and accessible service.

Administrative Management

Recruit, select, and supervise administrative staff, fostering an inclusive work environment and evaluating staff performance. Develop and maintain job descriptions, an employee handbook, and employment policies. Oversee business operations and filings (insurance, secretary of state, forms 990, etc.).

WALLA WALLA SYMPHONY'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

We are committed to centering relationships with our communities as we work to build connections through music. We envision creating welcoming spaces that offer a sense of belonging where all are valued regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, economic status, political affiliation, or education.

We believe that orchestral music is more relevant and alive when it honors tradition while embracing new ideas. We strive to work towards unraveling a history of exclusivity prevalent in classical music and we will continue our pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through learning, listening, and engaging.

We recognize that, at present, neither the musicians, the audience, the board, nor the staff of the Walla Walla Symphony fully reflect the diversity that is present in our valley. We want to transform our relevance to the diverse communities we serve.

TO APPLY:

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter outlining your experience for and commitment to this position along with a resume to: ...@wwsymphony.org

To read the complete job description, please click here.

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on: January 20, 2025

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We strive to build a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

At WWS we are proudly committed to providing an environment of respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law or identities.

QUESTIONS:

Please direct questions about this opportunity to:

* Chris Otis, Chair, Search Committee & WWS Board Member: ...@gmail.com

* Jackie Wood, Chair, WWS Board of Directors: ...@whitman.edu

Listing Type

Jobs | Hybrid | On-Site

Categories

Executive | Nonprofit

Position Type

Full Time

Experience Level

Senior Level

Employer Type

Direct Employer

Salary Min

85000

Salary Max

95000

Salary Type

/yr.