Elgin Symphony Orchestra

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra, four-time winner of Orchestra of the Year!

Employment Opportunities

Administrative Positions

Chief Executive Officer

Reports to: Board of Directors

Oversees: All Staff (direct reports – Director of Finance & Administration, Director of Development & Marketing, Director of Artistic Operations, and Director of Patron Services)

Overview: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will be the primary steward of the organization’s mission, is responsible for ensuring the administrative and financial success of the ESO, and works closely with the Music Director and Board of Directors to set the vision for the ESO’s future.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

  • Ensures the continued programmatic excellence of the ESO
  • Maintains strategic and tactical leadership of the ESO staff and board
  • Values and communicates successfully with all ESO stakeholders: Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Elgin Symphony League, staff, musicians, donors, volunteers and concert goers
  • Works closely with local governments, organizations and the wider community
  • Creates and maintains partnerships across the artistic and not-for-profit community
  • Fosters and maintains a productive relationship with the Music Director to develop programming that ensures the integrity and growth of the orchestra

Fundraising & Development

  • Expands local and extended revenue generating and fundraising activities to support existing program operations and grows innovative and diverse programming
  • Supports and mentors board members in the process of building relationships with significant donors
  • Maintains existing major donors support, significantly grows financial support from both major donors, regional funders and identifies potential legacy support

Minimum Requirements

  • Degree from an accredited 4-year college/university, with a preference for an advanced degree or equivalent experience in arts organization management, business or nonprofit management, or other arts fields (music, theater, dance, visual/digital arts)
  • Work and leadership experience relevant to the position: e.g., employment by an arts or other non-profit organization, or experience such as personnel supervision, budget and program management, marketing, accounting, grant writing, or donor development
  • Knowledge of and passion for symphonic music
  • Ability to work standard office hours as well as evenings and weekends as appropriate
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

Desirable Qualities

  • Proven track record of donor development, fundraising and/or marketing
  • Strong financial management ability, especially budget development
  • Ability to convey the ESO vision through public speaking

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to admin@elginsymphony.org.

Start Date: June 15th, 2021 or Upon Agreement

Elgin Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Director of Development and Marketing

The Director of Development and Marketing is responsible for articulating the mission and vision of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO) to patrons, donors and the broader community. The role will have primary responsibility for the ESO’s fund development efforts and is responsible for overseeing the creation and dissemination of digital and print content. This position oversees the contract work of external firms handling graphic design, public relations and grant writing. The Director of Development and Marketing reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Position Supervises:

  • Grant Writer (PT)
  • Graphic Designer/Web Developer (PT)
  • Public Relations Manager (PT)

Basic Functions of the Position:

  1. Planning and evaluating fundraising campaigns and activities.
  2. Managing the organization’s budget and fundraising income programs.
  3. Identifying and stewarding prospective donors.
  4. Recruiting and training fundraising staff and volunteer leaders.
  5. Staying on top of fundraising trends and the nonprofit community.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in music, arts administration or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 5 – 7 years of experience in fundraising, resource development and marketing communications, preferably in a nonprofit, and demonstrated success in at least two of the three categories.

Minimum Skills, Knowledge and Experience:

  • Understanding of the role of arts in society
  • Ability to articulate the mission, vision and brand of Elgin Symphony Orchestra to board, donors, orchestra and public. Ability to focus various communications around that brand. Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral skills
  • Prepared to devise creative strategies to bring in new audiences during a transitional time for the arts
  • Ability to be respectful of the diverse cultures of the people served by the ESO and to provide culturally appropriate, competent, and individualized treatment in accordance with each client’s age, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and culture.
  • Ability to manage and monitor the progress and cost effectiveness of fundraising activities
  • Ability to work independently under stress, and successfully handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Other Duties

The Director of Development and Marketing is expected to work flexible hours, including late hours and weekend hours.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to admin@elginsymphony.org.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Summer Internships

The ESO is now accepting applications for internships for the 2021 summer season. To apply, please send a resume to admin@elginsymphony.org no later than April 30, 2021.

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Program for the 2020-21 season, please complete the 3-page application below.  Applications are accepted year-round.

Click here to view Volunteer Application

Please submit the completed application to the Elgin Symphony Orchestra administrative office

Mail: Elgin Symphony Orchestra, 20 DuPage Court, Elgin, IL  60120
Email: boxoffice@elginsymphony.org
Fax: 847-888-0400

ESO Auditions

There are no auditions scheduled at this time. Check back next year!