Executive Director

SITUATION OVERVIEW

ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Symphony Tacoma in the search for an Executive Director.

ABOUT SYMPHONY TACOMA

For 79 years, Symphony Tacoma has been a vital part of Tacoma’s cultural landscape, inspiring audiences through live musical experiences that honor tradition and push beyond it. Founded in 1946 by 30 volunteer musicians from the University of Puget Sound, the organization was professionalized in 1993 and now employs more than 80 professional musicians and a volunteer chorus of 70, performing annually for nearly 20,000 residents across Pierce County and the greater Puget Sound region. Symphony Tacoma’s core season includes five main‑series classical concerts, holiday choral pops, an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, and educational concerts, primarily presented at the historic Pantages Theater, where the orchestra has been a principal resident arts organization for over 30 years. In addition, the orchestra partners with a dynamic range of global soloists and visiting composers, presenting adventurous programming designed to serve and inspire the community. The organization is widely recognized as a flagship musical organization within a vibrant regional ecosystem of professional and community‑based ensembles. Symphony Tacoma further engages the community through education programs—Mini Maestros, Simply Symphonic, and Symphony 2U—serving more than 7,000 people annually from early childhood through adulthood. For families, Mini Maestros is a four‑concert series for children ages two to eight; Simply Symphonic equips fourth‑ and fifth‑grade teachers with classroom‑ready music curriculum; and Symphony 2U offers coaching and mentorship for underserved students across all K‑12 levels, collaborating with local arts institutions.

POSITION

The Executive Director (ED) will serve as the chief executive and administrative leader of Symphony Tacoma, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, Music Director and General Manager to advance the organization’s artistic, financial, and strategic goals. The ED will report to the Board President, overseeing overall management, financial sustainability, fundraising leadership, organizational culture, and community presence. The successful candidate will be a visionary, collaborative, and results‑driven leader with a record of success in nonprofit management, preferably in the arts, and a commitment to community engagement and cultural vitality.

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As we approach our 80th Anniversary Season, we seek an Executive Director to lead a renaissance, guiding the organization from the challenges of the pandemic and past leadership transitions into a new era of fiscal discipline, artistic daring, and optimism. The board and staff have already stabilized operations, achieved a clean balance sheet, and built strong core support from patrons and institutional funders. In growth mode, we aim to deepen community engagement, broaden and deepen our supporter base, and further expand online presence and philanthropy. The ED will work alongside staff and the Board, leveraging audience development, digital strategy, donor cultivation, and earned revenue as interconnected drivers of strong, lasting relationships and institutional sustainability. They will also partner with the City of Tacoma, which offers public funding through Tacoma Creates.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic leadership in partnership with the Board, Music Director, and General Manager to advance mission, vision, and long‑term sustainability. Implement and monitor a multi‑year strategic plan with measurable outcomes. Coordinate with artistic leadership and development to align programming, donor cultivation, and community partnerships with audience growth objectives. Lead and execute a comprehensive development strategy, including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, government funding, and special events. Oversee earned revenue strategy, including subscription campaigns, group sales, institutional partnerships, and ancillary ticketing initiatives; establish KPIs, forecasting models, and accountability structures to meet or exceed ticket revenue targets. Ensure highly effective financial operations and best reporting practices aligned with Symphony’s size and resources. Ensure alignment between artistic programming and financial realities. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence across the organization. Build strong relationships with musicians and union leadership, ensuring transparent and effective communication. Build a high‑performing, collaborative team culture rooted in transparency and shared goals, promoting an inclusive workplace that values diversity, equity, and belonging. Work closely with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance practices and board engagement. Serve as a visible and active presence in Tacoma and the broader South Sound community as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the Symphony.

QUALIFICATIONS

Clear commitment to Symphony’s mission and to building community through music. Demonstrated, measurable success in fundraising, including major gifts and institutional funding. Ability to build and strengthen board and staff teams. History of successful community engagement and partnership development. Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets. Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills. Experience working with unionized artistic personnel. Ability to build meaningful relationships across the South Puget Sound philanthropic, civic, and cultural communities. Willingness to serve as a visible and active presence in Tacoma and the broader South Sound community as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for Symphony. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least seven years of senior‑level (required) or executive‑level (preferred) experience in nonprofit management. Experience working with or in partnership with a professional orchestra or performing arts organization is strongly preferred. We look forward to hearing from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr League of American Orchestras