Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra - Employment
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Employment at the MSO

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Administration

President and Executive Director
The Opportunity

The President and Executive Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is the leader of Wisconsin’s largest and most significant performing arts organization. The MSO plays a vital cultural, education and economic role in shaping the vitality of Milwaukee and the surrounding area. This position has the ability to have a positive and long-term impact on both the community and the MSO. World renowned conductor Edo de Waart has an eight year contract with the MSO as its Music Director and is deeply committed to developing the orchestra as one of the best in the world.

 

About the Organization

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the largest cultural organization in Wisconsin – with 88 musicians performing over 140 concerts each season. And since its inception in 1959, the orchestra has received critical acclaim for artistic excellence and the organization as a whole has been a leader in musical education and technology. The MSO is a cultural cornerstone as it provides enrichment and education activities for audiences of every age, economic status, and background.

The 2010.11 season is Edo de Waart’s second as the sixth music director of the MSO. Mr. de Waart is chief conductor and artistic director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor laureate of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland, and he is soon to be an artistic partner with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. As a guest conductor, Maestro de Waart has appeared with every major orchestra in the world. Mr. de Waart has also been the artistic director of the Netherlands Radio and Television Music Centre, music director of the San Francisco Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra, leader of the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, chief conductor and artist director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and chief conductor of De Nederlandse Opera. His understated, disciplined approach on the podium engages musicians, audiences, and critics alike.

Rick Walters of The Shepherd Express writes of Maestro de Waart and the orchestra: “I continue to marvel at what I’m hearing at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Edo de Waart has fundamentally changed the sound… only a communicative master musician/conductor could do that.”

Elaine Schmidt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes of the MSO: “Power, raw emotion, softly blurred colors and ringing brass were all part of a Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra program that left the audience standing, whistling, and cheering…”

The 2010.11 season will include Beethoven’s symphonies No. 9 and No. 3, Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Mahler’s symphonies No. 2 and No. 7, Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony, and John Adams’ Harmonium. In addition, de Waart will lead a three-week-long German Festival featuring major works of Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann, and the first act of Wagner’s Die Walküre in concert. Periodically performing with the Orchestra is the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus. This 150-member volunteer chorus has appeared with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in concert on public television and in recorded performances broadcast on radio stations throughout the U.S. each season. The chorus has also performed a cappella concerts to sold-out audiences and made guest appearances with other performing arts groups including the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the Milwaukee Ballet, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and at the Ravinia Festival.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs at Uihlein Hall. With a seating capacity of 2,305, it is the largest of the Marcus Center theaters, and is also home to the Milwaukee Ballet Company, Florentine Opera Company, the Marcus Center Broadway Series, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Off the stage, the MSO is recognized as a pioneer in the world of new music among American orchestras. For the past 29 years, the MSO has expanded its reach through nationally syndicated radio broadcasts heard on more than 240 stations throughout the United States each year. In 2005, the MSO became the first American orchestra to offer its live recordings for download directly through online music stores, including iTunes. MSO Classics, an e-label created specifically for digital distribution of its recordings, has a continually growing catalog of more than 30 live works.

The MSO’s standard of excellence extends beyond the concert hall and into the community, reaching more than 40,000 children and their families through its ACE (Arts in Community Education) program, Youth and Teen concerts, Kinderkonzerts, Music for Me concerts, and Behind the Notes pre-concert talks. In its 20th year, the nationally recognized ACE program integrates arts education into state-required curricula, providing arts opportunities for students when budget cuts are eliminating music and arts programming. This season, 8,500 students and 600 teachers in 23 Southeastern Wisconsin elementary and middle schools will participate in ACE.

The MSO operates on a $17 million budget, has an endowment of approximately $22.1 million and is guided by the following mission statement: The MSO reaches out to diverse audiences through concert performances and nationally recognized education and outreach programs. All programs are guided by the MSO Family Shared Vision which states that the MSO exists for three purposes: to comfort, educate, entertain and exhilarate the human soul through events of cultural significance, relevance and artistic challenge; to embrace, preserve and foster our musical heritage; and to enhance the vibrancy of our community.

 

Position Summary

The President and Executive Director is responsible for providing strong and effective leadership for all day-to-day business operations and activities. S/he will clearly and passionately articulate the vision and mission of the MSO, providing leadership and motivation to the entire organization including staff, orchestra, MSO Board, volunteers and the community. Working with the MSO Board and the Music Director, the President will develop, manage and direct a long-term strategic plan, maximizing both artistic excellence and increased geographic and demographic market penetration. In addition, s/he is responsible for increasing earned and contributed revenue; prudent and rigorous asset, cash flow, expense and human resource management; advancing the reputation and brand of the MSO; and delivering a “best in class” educational outreach program to the Southeast Wisconsin community.

 

Key Relationships

Reports to:

  • MSO Board (through Chairman)

Direct reports:

  • Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
  • Vice President — Development
  • Vice President — Marketing & Communications
  • Vice President & Chief Program Officer
  • Orchestra Personnel Manager
  • Executive Assistant

Other key relationships:

  • Music Director
  • Chorus Director
  • Musicians
  • Board Members
  • Donors
  • Volunteers
  • Business and Community Leaders
  • Peers in the Field

Major Responsibilities Leadership

  • Works closely with the MSO Board and the Music Director, staff and other key constituents in the development and implementation of a strategic vision and business plan.
  • Actively engages in MSO Board meetings and Board committees; assists the MSO Board in establishing policy and manages governance and compliance.
  • Establishes and grows effective relationships with internal constituents including the Music Director, staff, MSO Board, Chairman’s Council, Musicians, Chorus and the MSO League.
Development & Revenue Generation
  • Directs and actively participates in the development and stewardship of major donors, including individuals, corporations, institutions and foundations for the benefit of the Annual Fund, and endowment support.
  • Works closely with Development staff in establishing goals, plan development and execution, and monitors activities and results.
  • Develops strategies for increasing earned revenue through ticket sales, on-line distribution of music, pricing strategies and creative programming and increasing contributed revenue through multiple channels, including individuals, corporations, institutions, foundations and community events.
Administration
  • Manages day-to-day business operations and develops effective and measurable operations, business and financial performance metrics.
  • Oversees all personnel activities, including hiring, development, retention and performance evaluations; directs compensation and benefits planning and implementation; motivates a high quality staff and orchestra.
  • Represents the Board in all negotiations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with musicians and ensures compliance; serves as a liaison between management and musicians in negotiations and for all musician committees.
  • Works closely with the Chief Financial Officer, manages and directs all activities related to cash flow, annual budgets and revenue projections; pension contributions and liabilities; debt obligations and service; and industry and government reporting.
  • Oversees telecommunications, technology, record keeping and space management activities.
 Artistic
  • Manages to artistic excellence and integrity and works closely with the Music Director, the Vice President & Chief Program Officer, and Vice President – Marketing & Communications on all programming.
External Relations
  • Directs and oversees the development and implementation of a comprehensive marketing plan to generate high gross profit revenue through Classics, Pops and other artistic and educational programs subscription, group and single ticket sales.
  • Oversees effective public and media relations activities to maximize a positive MSO presence in marketplace.
  • Builds effective relationships with business leaders, influential members of the community, opinion makers, government leaders, media, other arts groups and vendor and banking relationships in an effort to positively influence and represent the presence and brand of the MSO.
  • Directs and oversees all educational and outreach activities including, but not limited to, Arts in Community Education (ACE), ensemble school visits, concerts for schools, Stars of Tomorrow, youth concerts, KinderKoncerts and adult education programs such as the lecture series, Beyond the Notes, etc.
Candidate Specification: Key Selection Criteria
Ideal Experience
  • Ten plus years of leadership and P&L experience with a proven track record of successfully managing operations, development, marketing, and finance functions.
  • Knowledge of and keen interest in symphonic music; orchestra, artistic and operations management preferred but not required.
  • Prior experience in strategic and business plan development and execution.
  • Successful experience reporting to, or working with an engaged board of directors.
  • Experience working with major donors, either as a volunteer fundraiser or as an executive. A demonstrated ability for attracting major gifts.
  • Experienced spokesperson, comfortable in the public eye with outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiating and reasoning skills.
  • Experience leading an organization where new models of operating have been successfully implemented.
  • Undergraduate degree is required; and advanced degree would enhance the candidate’s qualifications.

Critical Competencies for Success
Business Acumen

Despite growing audiences, MSO faces significant financial challenges due to the downturn in the financial markets and decreased funding. The new President must respond to these challenges and address the structural deficit by managing costs, improving efficiency and productivity, and developing innovative ways to grow earned revenue. This will be done by:

  • Exercising sound judgment on financial and management issues, knowing when to engage the Board, and how to maximize the input of others.
  • Making decisions, including some that may be difficult or unpopular, based on sound fiscal and strategic analyses.
  • Anticipating shifts in the economic environment and the potential impact these might have on the MSO and then taking timely actions.
  • Recruiting and retaining excellent staff in all areas of the organization; ensuring strong leadership development and succession planning processes are in place.

Strategic Leadership

In an institution poised to go to the next level, the President must develop and communicate a vision for the future that is both exciting and fiscally responsible. S/he must provide the forward-thinking vision, energy and results-focused orientation to anticipate, plan and prepare for the future by:

  • Developing innovative ways to cultivate broader and more diverse audiences.
  • Inspiring and motivating senior leadership, staff, musicians and others within the MSO to innovate and explore effective business models for the future.
  • Being an entrepreneur who can roll up his/her sleeves, take a different and new approach to solving problems and both has an appetite for risk and is comfortable with change.

Fundraising

The MSO is facing a challenging financial climate, characterized by decreased government funding and a $1.2 million drop in funding from Milwaukee-based United Performing Arts Fund. To address these reductions, the President must deliver sustainable and significant increases in philanthropic support to build the endowment and increase annual discretionary revenues. This will be done by:

  • Being a passionate and credible communicator, conveying genuine excitement and enthusiasm for the MSO.
  • Expanding and diversifying MSO’s current sources of funding through effective cultivation of current and prospective donors.
  • Partnering with the Vice President of Development to successfully complete a 3-year, $30 million campaign ($5 million debt reduction; $5 million gap funding; $20 million endowment).
  • Engaging the MSO Board in fundraising and leveraging their relationships to solicit new donors and identify new sources of support.
  • Continuing to attract new board members who will both contribute financially and enhance the MSO’s community relationships and fundraising profile.

Other Personal Characteristics

  • Commitment to the MSO mission and a passion for music
  • Strong interpersonal skills and unquestionable ethics
  • Creative, entrepreneurial, yet collaborative and team-oriented
  • Outstanding communicator, both in writing and verbally
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances
  • An engaging personality that is confident but not dominant.

Applications should be submitted electronically to: MSO@spencerstuart.com, and include a current résumé and letter of interest which addresses the candidate’s fit to the three critical competencies detailed in the position specification.

Vice President of Development 

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the largest professional arts organization in Wisconsin seeks an experienced Development professional to lead a talented Development team charged with cultivating, establishing, and maintaining all donor relations and planning and directing all fundraising policies and activities. 

Education/Experience

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Marketing or a related area, with a Master’s Degree in Business preferred.  A minimum of ten (10) years experience in a fundraising or development position in a not-for-profit environment, with five (5) of those years in a management position, is preferred.  CFRE preferred.  Experience with Tessitura (donor and ticketing software) and knowledge of classical music a plus.

Essential responsibilities

Responsibilities include both managing a development team, and being directly engaged in developing, launching and managing activities related to individual and corporate fundraising campaigns, grants, sponsorships, public funding and endowment campaigns.  Additional responsibilities include activities related to the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), liaison for the MSO League, board and board activities and management responsibilities as a senior officer of the MSO.

 

Please e-mail cover letter and resume to: hr@mso.org

Don Tyler, Interim President & Executive Director

Director of Development - Individual Giving

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, a premier, nationally recognized professional arts organization seeks an experienced Development professional to plan and implement the annual fundraising activities and cultivation of individual donors for gifts of $1,000-$24,999, with particular emphasis on requests of $10,000-$24,999.

Education/Experience:

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline and a minimum of five years work experience in non-profit management, with demonstrated success in achieving annual multi-million dollar fundraising goals; Master’s Degree preferred. Experience with fundraising databases and knowledge of classical music a plus.

Essential responsibilities:

Responsibilities include assisting in the overall planning, goal setting and implementation of fundraising strategy for individual giving divisions and creating, directing and implementing—with the assistance of the development staff—a comprehensive funding strategy for acquiring, maintaining and upgrading donors for general operations and special projects, ensuring revenue goals are met.

 

Please e-mail cover letter and resume to:hr@mso.org

Don Tyler, Interim President & Executive Director

Auditions

For orchestra auditions, please see the MSO Auditions page.

For chorus auditions, please see the Chorus Auditions page.


Sales

Attention arts lovers - join the hottest team in town as we offer patrons subscription packages for the incredible 2010-2011 season! Experience in sales, marketing and customer service are required. Part time and evening hours are available.

Please call Dan Morgan between 1:00 – 9:00 pm at 414.226.7848.


Internships

Development Intern (Part- or Full-time)

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is seeking a computer-savvy college student or recent graduate to intern with the Development Department. This internship will include projects related to research, communications, donor relations and other aspects of fundraising. Specific projects will include, but are not limited to: donor research, general administrative functions such as filing, database management, coordinating large mail projects (mail merge, labels and stuffing), drafting cover letters, scheduling donor meetings, facilitating donor communications, prepping solicitation packets and more.

This unpaid internship requires:

  • Strong computer and research skills.
  • Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Thorough knowledge in developing ethical and timely research strategies using public records.
  • Ability to use a personal computer and related software as well as a printer, telephone, voice mail, fax machine, copier and calculator.
  • A sincere interest in learning the development process.
  • An interest in music and performing arts.
  • A commitment of 10-35 hours per/week.

Please email a cover letter and your resume, as a Microsoft Word or PDF attachment to Jill Desmond, Campaign Director, at hr@mso.org.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 
 

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