Open Positions:

Position Summary

Reporting to the CEO & President, the Managing Director will jointly lead Gulf Coast Symphony’s strategic direction. With responsibility for overseeing the organization’s administrative and business functions, the Managing Director will support the CEO & President’s vision of developing, producing, and presenting work that expands and diversifies audiences and sets new standards of artistic innovation and production excellence. They will share responsibility with the CEO & President for production and artist agreements and attract and retain production staff and human and financial resources to create and support Gulf Coast Symphony’s mission.

The Managing Director will create concrete policies in order to build positive and authentic relationships with all staff, artists, audiences, donors, and community members. They will work collaboratively with all parts of the organization to ensure all departments are fully integrated and aligned with Gulf Coast Symphony’s mission, vision, and values, while maintaining and cultivating deep relationships with community partners, locally and nationally. This individual will also be accountable to the board, including the development of, and abiding by an accepted annual budget. They will work with the board to ensure the Symphony has the ability, credibility, and resources to oversee and support Gulf Coast Symphony’s mission.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Financial Oversight

• Partner with the CEO & President to lead the organization’s strategic vision, collaborating effectively to ensure that all artistic and financial decisions are mission-aligned.
• Serve as a committed and visionary leader, guiding Gulf Coast Symphony into the future through the creation of pathways for new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.
• Lead conversations with staff and board members to inspire organizational growth across all business areas, communicating openly and consistently in full transparency.
• Demonstrate solid fiscal acumen, including overseeing organizational budgets, controlling expenditures, creating forecasting models and scenario plans, and developing financial analysis.
• Provide leadership to the Finance Committee, in overseeing the budget, making recommendations, and reporting key financial issues relating to general operations.

Community Engagement, Fundraising, and Earned Revenue Enhancement

• Act as a visible spokesperson throughout Southwest Florida area, developing relationships and engaging with a wide variety of constituents, including business owners, schools and colleges, elected city officials, and the media, enhancing the organization’s brand and reputation.
• Maintain and grow partnerships and alliances with mission-compatible arts and cultural organizations locally and nationally to expand programs and access, retain relevance, and build community.
• Support ongoing relationships and manage contractual negotiations with a wide range of partners, including artists, unions, guilds, and producing partners.
• Assist in actively seeking out new and renewed sources of contributed income, with a particular focus on identifying and establishing relationships with key individual donors, while motivating and inspiring board members in their fundraising responsibilities to leverage their skills and networks.
• Help cultivate and deepen relationships with foundations in order to grow contributed revenue.
• Oversee marketing and communication strategies to expand and diversify audiences, subscribers, and donors.

Administrative and Organizational Leadership

• Supervise and mentor all administrative staff, providing opportunities for professional development and growth to support employee engagement, satisfaction, and a high level of performance.
• Foster a positive company culture where all staff, fellows, and artists feel safe, valued, and respected and where a healthy work-life balance is actively encouraged.
• Oversee the hire of key staff positions with the CEO, and with the CEO, annually reassess the organizational structure to ensure it meets current needs.
• Assist in the growth and diversification of the Board to include people from different ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds, while managing board relations through regular and effective communication and ensuring that board members are best engaged according to their skills and interests.

Traits and Characteristics

The Managing Director will be a forward-thinking, strategic leader who demonstrates a balanced sense of pragmatism and risk-taking. They must embrace working collaboratively with people from all backgrounds throughout the organization, as well as with community partners locally and nationally. With a flexible and entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving, this individual will be an ongoing learner, receptive to new ideas and adaptable to change. They will have the ability to resolve conflict, handle difficult situations, and make tough decisions with compassion and grace.

Other key competencies include:

• Leadership and Diplomacy – The ability to organize and influence people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction and to effectively and tactfully handle difficult or sensitive issues.
• Time and Priority Management – The capacity to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
• Personal Accountability and Interpersonal Skills – The dexterity to be answerable for personal actions while effectively communicating, building rapport, and relating well to all kinds of people.
• Resiliency and Flexibility – The acumen to quickly recover from adversity while readily modifying, responding, and adapting to change with minimal resistance.

Qualifications

Gulf Coast Symphony does not require specific educational credentials or a specific number of years of experience. Qualified candidates should demonstrate a successful track record of leadership and managerial experience within complex and dynamic organizations, as well as skills in financial management, fundraising, and relationship building. Candidates need not come from within the performing arts sector, although a passion for theater and music, plus a solid knowledge of the field are expected. Exceptional communication skills are required.

Compensation and Benefits

Gulf Coast Symphony provides a competitive compensation package with benefits that include paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; health, dental, vision; and a retirement plan.

Applications and Inquiries

Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments to [email protected].  For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact [email protected].

Job Description: Patron Services Associate

Type of Employment: Hourly (Non-exempt)

Pay Rate: $15-17/hr (overtime after 40 hours per week)

Expected Start Date: July 2023

The Orchestra:

Now entering its 29^th season, the Gulf Coast Symphony (GCS) is one of the most dynamic and innovative orchestras in the United States. The primary goal of the Gulf Coast Symphony is to Create Community through Music. The organization boasts three primary performance groups: a full symphony orchestra composed of both professional and auditioned community members, a fully professional chamber orchestra, and its jazz collective.  High-quality performances with both world-renowned and emerging artists, a history of active community engagement, and commitment to arts education are cornerstone characteristics of the organization.  Professionally managed and led, it produces fourteen to sixteen concerts each season in the premiere performing arts venue in Lee County, Florida, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, plus another 100 nights of concerts at its new, more intimate venue, and educational hub, its Music & Arts Community Center. Additionally, numerous educational outreach events, outdoor concerts, and other activities each year. GCS also runs MusicWorks! an after-school El Sistema program.  The concert season includes musicals, ballet, classical, pops, opera, jazz, chamber music, world music and other genres. The GCS is committed to performing a broad variety of concerts and creating a diverse, innovative and balanced program of performances, events, community and education projects which reaches the widest possible public, year-round. The organization has a current annual budget of $2.25 million dollars.  

Central Role: Job Description: Patron Services Associate

Summary: The Patron Services Associate is responsible for facilitating ticket sales, responding to general inquiries about the Gulf Coast Symphony’s programming, and providing a positive experience for new and returning patrons. Assignments are expected to be carried out under limited supervision within the office or at the MACC box office, therefore only candidates with sound judgment, time management skills, and internal motivation should apply.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Perform box office duties during regular business hours, and serve as primary phone contact during these hours.
• Work in the company’s ticketing database (Tessitura) to process transactions and maintain patron information.
• Facilitate ticket purchases and donations in person and by phone, and serve as representative of Gulf Coast Symphony’s community-oriented philosophy with a positive and professional demeanor.
• Respond to all patron inquiries by phone and email. Along with the Patron Services and Development teams, provide excellent service and working to deepen patron relationships. 
• Maintain thorough knowledge of GCS programming, performances, and educational programs. Promote and suggest add-ons or related products.
• Assist patrons with navigating online interactions as needed, including the GCS website and digital or print-at-home tickets.
• Serve as primary box office personnel at MACC performances, and provide support for performances held at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. 
• Reconcile all daily transactions according to established procedures.
• Provide operational and administrative support as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

As the business evolves, so may this role. These duties may change as Symphony’s leadership identifies the need at any time.

Requirements:

• Estimated average of 15-20 hours per week, with up to 40 scheduled hours available during peak season, and approximately 6 hours per week spent in the MACC box office, depending on performance schedule.
• Weekend and night hours required.
• Extended periods at workstation, using a keyboard, viewing a computer screen, and communicating by telephone and in person. Ability to sit for a period of up to 8 hours, stand for up to 1 hour, and occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Proficiency with standard computer programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• A background in face-to-face customer service with a positive, professional, and high energy demeanor. 

Desirable but not required:

• Prior experience with Tessitura (our ticketing system) or similar CRM platform.
• Knowledge of the arts, theater and/or symphonic music.

Gulf Coast Symphony is willing to teach successful candidates about specific practices unique to the performing arts industry as well as provide specific training on current software platforms.

How to apply:

To apply please send resume, cover letter and three professional references to [email protected]

The Gulf Coast Symphony is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment are considered without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, non-job related disability, or marital status.