Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Reports to:

FLSA:

Employment Status:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:  

Prepare a multi-year, progressively more detailed plan for all classical and semi-classical series and concerts (artists, repertoire, series focus and direction) to ensure artistically optimal and efficient use of the orchestra’s time, and connectivity with the Atlanta community. Responsible for the planning and monitoring of all Artistic department budgeting lines, and for partnering with and providing current information to all departments who rely on program planning to set their budgets and plan their work.  Participate in the planning of media activities (radio, television, and recordings) related to classical programming. 

CRITICAL ELEMENTS: 

A. PROGRAMMING 

1.  In conjunction with the Executive Director, Music Director, and senior leadership team, cast and develop the overall multi-year artistic strategy of the ASO—to include engagement of artists, repertoire and activities for all classical and semi-classical concerts. Provide input and oversight to, embrace, support and ensure the success of all programs managed by other departments (primarily education and ASH Live). 

2.  Identify, engage, negotiate fees, contract, pay and be responsible for the on-site care of guest artists.  

3.  Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with artists and artist managements.  

4.   Seek out artists, conductors, composers, program concepts, and other ideas to keep ASO programming artistically fresh, innovative, and in touch with the tastes of new and existing ASO audiences. Travel as necessary to evaluate or cultivate people and ideas for potential inclusion in ASO schedule. 

5.  Coordinate and convene regularly scheduled programming meetings with the Music Director, Executive Director, senior leadership of Marketing, Development, Sales, et al.—known as “War Room” planning meetings, these are critical aspects of the ASO’s planning process. 

6.  Attend, support, and participate in meetings of the Board and Board committees, as invited. Serve as primary liaison to Board’s Music and Artistic Planning Committee. 

7.  Serve as primary administrative team liaison to the Orchestra’s Artistic Advisory Committee.

8.  Cultivate excellent relationships with conducting staff and with Orchestra members; develop programs that take advantage of individual strengths of resident artists. 

B. ADMINISTRATION 

1.  Consistent with the ASO’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, in partnership with the Orchestra's VP and General Manager, maximize the scheduling of orchestra services, season schedules, schedule changes and rehearsal orders. 

2.  Supervise expense management for Artistic Department budget. Supervise or review drafting, negotiation, justification, management, and control of approved expenses. 

3.  Participate in the development of overall institutional policies and plans with other senior staff and the Executive Director (e.g., CBA negotiations input; developing grant proposals, new concert ideas, and programs with marketing and development; contributing to creation of a long-range plan for the organization). 

4.  Review overall Artistic Administration Department policies, staff structures and staff compensation levels. 

5.  Participate in the annual budget development and review process. 

6.  Disseminate personnel policies. 

7.  Lead, select, develop, evaluate and (if necessary) take corrective action with Artistic Administration staff, facilitating success of the department personnel by assessment of their work, coaching and performance review, and strategies for improvement. 

8.  Represent artistic and programming perspectives to donors, board members and volunteers.  

9.  As requested, meet and speak with community groups to increase awareness of and interest in the orchestra, and encourage greater involvement in all Atlanta Symphony Orchestra activities. 

10.  Assume other duties as assigned by the Executive Director. 

C. FUNDRAISING 

1.  Assist in building relationships with key donors and stakeholders to help raise funds for the ASO. 

D. OPERATIONS 

1.  Serve as Manager on Duty as assigned, with overall responsibility for the performance as well as the safety and enjoyment of the audience. 

2.  When needed, serve as driver for guest conductors and/or guest artists 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF WORK: 

The VP of Artistic Planning is a full-time, exempt senior staff position, with variable hours and regular evening and weekend work hours. While conditions may alter the amount of time spent on any one area and may also alter functions associated with the position, the time spent on the position responsibilities can be expected to be as follows: 

Programming Duties:  70% 
Administrative Duties:  25% 
Operations Duties:  5% 

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES: 

• Experience working internationally and with international artists 

• Keen knowledge of classical music performers, with particular emphasis on singers 

• Track record of community-based programming 

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience working for a professional orchestra 

• Bachelor's degree minimum 

• Extensive knowledge of the orchestral repertoire and requirements for performance 

• Experience in developing repertoire plans and working with conductors 

• Knowledge of contemporary conductors, instrumental and vocal soloists, composers, and other performers 

• Experience in negotiating artist fees and repertoire 

• Supervisory experience 

• Excellent organizational skills 

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal  

• Acute attention to details 

• Ability to successfully administer many projects, immediate and long-range, simultaneously 

• A love of music 

• Creativity