Career Center

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY: Founded in 1972, Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) is one of the nation’s premier youth orchestra education programs. MYS provides the opportunity for young people to develop their musical abilities through a comprehensive and nurturing musical environment. MYS is dedicated to the highest quality orchestral training for youth, grades elementary through high school, offering a year-round mix of programs to meet the varying needs of young musicians, regardless of their ability to pay. Learn more about MYS at www.mnyouthsymphonies.org

Job Summary:

Minnesota Youth Symphonies is seeking a mission-focused, strategic, and enthusiastic leader with a passion for youth music education to serve as Executive Director. This position is responsible for managing the human and financial resources of Minnesota Youth Symphonies (MYS) to achieve the orchestra’s mission. Reporting to the board of directors, the Executive Director implements the strategic plan as set by the board.

The Executive Director and Artistic Director will work together as a team to develop and implement the artistic mission of MYS. The Executive Director supervises the administrative staff including the operations manager, communications coordinator, and head librarian. The Artistic Director supervises the artistic staff including conductors, coaches, sectional leaders, and instructors. The Executive Director along with the administrative staff assist the Artistic Team by providing logistical and administrative support.

The Executive Director is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the organization, both earned revenue and contributed revenue. Earned revenue includes accounting, payroll, budget preparation and expense management. Contribute revenue includes researching grant opportunities, grant writing, grant reporting and fundraising.

The Executive Director manages all operations for the organization, collaborating with the Artistic Director on items related to artistic programming. From Human Resources to benefits enrollment, securing insurance to vendor contracts, the Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day items to keep MYS functioning smoothly and efficiently.

MYS is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in our organization and our community, and thus we seek a broad spectrum of employees. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color, as well as those who are from other underrepresented communities.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with the artistic director and MYS board of directors in the development and implementation of a strategic plan for the organization that supports the artistic and financial objectives of the organization.
• Operate a comprehensive accounting and budget system.
• Create and manage an annual operating budget in consultation with the board of directors.
• Provide leadership and direction of fundraising activities, working with the MYS board and appropriate staff members on securing funding for the activities of MYS.
• Ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed while fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
• Recruit, select, supervise, and review administrative staff.
• Create the season calendar in collaboration with the Artistic Director
• Manage organization operations including human resources, benefit enrollment, liability insurance, vendor contracts and space rental.
• Ensure effective communication with MYS constituencies: parents, students, concert patrons, volunteers, music educators, government funding agencies, and donors.
• Work in collaboration with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement and subsequent action plan.
• Collaborate with the President of the Board of Directors to create the monthly meeting agenda. Attend all board meetings and report on the financial and administrative aspects of the organization.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Strong interpersonal communication skills including the ability to work closely with parents and families, artistic staff, administrative staff, and donors
• Demonstrated experience leading a small, highly engaged, administrative team
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office and Quick Books or similar applications
• Financial management experience including accounting, payroll, and budget preparation
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience
• Positively contribute to an anti-racist/anti-bias organization and work to dismantle structural racism in classical music education
• Able to work in a professional, respectful, and appropriate manner as outlined in MYS Administrative Guidelines and Policies manual, including the MYS policies regarding harassment, sexual harassment, and anti-discrimination
• 5-7 years of non-profit administrative or management experience with a focus on music or arts education
• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree preferred

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please forward your resume and a cover letter to Melissa Falb, Chair of the Hiring Committee at [email protected]. Interviews will begin the week of July 11. A start date of August 15, 2022 is preferred.

Minnesota Youth Symphonies is an equal opportunity employer. It maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, and medical condition to the extent protected by law. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all employment practices, including hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.