Senior Vice President & General Manager

The Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) invites applications and nominations for a Senior Vice President (SVP) & General Manager (GM).

Reporting to the President and CEO, this individual serves as a member of the GRS senior management team and has overall responsibility for management of orchestra operations including season scheduling, concert production, budgeting, touring, recording and labor relations. In collaboration with the Music Director, Pops Conductor, Assistant and affiliate conductors, the SVP/GM is responsible for ensuring the artistic elements of each production have been properly planned and contracted including confirming appropriate artists, conductors, repertoire and necessary instrumentation.

This is an office-based professional position with night and weekend requirements around rehearsals, concerts and events.

• Leads with a driving force to accomplish the mission and strategy of the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS) and develops the future direction for the organization.
• Participates in fundraising and other activities that heighten public awareness, appreciation and support for the Grand Rapids Symphony.
• Ensures the Orchestra’s production and income requirements are met.
• Develops and monitors budgets and achieves income goals for programs and activities within the Production department’s budget.
• Serves as a member of the GRS’s financial management team and ensures that requests for budgets, cost estimates and financial projections are filled in a complete and timely manner.
• Reviews and approves payroll for Production team and musicians.
• Attends meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees as needed.
• When requested, represents the President at meetings and functions in the community.

• Assists in achieving GRS’s goals for developing partnerships and building bridges to the community.
• Seeks out live performance opportunities throughout West Michigan and other areas, including run-out and tour concerts as well as media opportunities, recordings, television, radio, video, social media and other digital outlets.
• Steers the development of marketing strategies and action plans for concerts, ticket sales, program book and patron experience activities with the Marketing leaders.

• Responsible and accountable for planning, directing and supervising all Orchestra operations, scheduling, concert production, community programs and media activity as it relates to Orchestra and artistic matters, special events and touring.
• Works with each leader (artistic, marketing, and financial), evaluates and approves next season’s artistic planning.
• Ensures that the highest standards of professional excellence are maintained in the execution of all GRS productions.
• Including, but not limited to, the sound and look of the orchestra to maintain a consistent quality/brand across all venues.
• Supports and processes confidential matters such as musician relations/reports and grievances along with the Personnel Manager and/or President & CEO when needed.
• Serves as a key member of management’s negotiating team for all collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensures compliance with agreements and maintains a positive work environment that allows musicians to achieve the highest possible artistic standards.
• Maintains excellent communications between musicians and management.
• Serves as the principal staff artistic advisor and liaison with the Music Director, Pops Conductor, Assistant and affiliate conductors and other artistic personnel as required.
• Upholds open, collaborative and productive working relationships with artistic leadership.
• Collaborates with other administrative departments to prepare a multi-year, progressively more detailed plan for all classical and non-classical series (artists, repertoire, series’ focus and direction) to ensure optimal and economical use of Orchestra services.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervises the Senior Director of Community Engagement & Education, Principal Librarian, Personnel Manager, Manager of Operations, Production Stage Manager and various affiliate administrators.