Los Altos Hills, California
Denver, Colorado
BETHESDA, Maryland
Posted: 11-Sep-23
Location: Medford, Oregon
Type: Full Time
Salary: $50,000-$65,000
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Britt Music & Arts Festival seeks an ORCHESTRA OPERATIONS DIRECTOR to join our team.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Orchestra Operations Director (OOD) is a position that leads the planning and execution of the Britt Festival Orchestra season. Reporting to the Director of Programming and working closely with the Music Director (currently interim), this position is responsible for managing all details required to successfully produce the annual season of the Britt Festival Orchestra. The orchestra season comprises 6-7 concerts performed by a roster of approximately 70 professional orchestra musicians from all over the United States, plus guest soloists, composers, and more. This position also books and manages production for off-season chamber music performances (approximately 2-3 annually) with the opportunity to expand programming in the future. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to participate in the search for the Britt Festival Orchestra’s next Music Director in the 2024-2025 seasons.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Orchestra Management
- Work directly with the Music Director, Artistic Advisor, Guest Conductors, or other musical leadership to program each season within the guidelines set by the President & CEO and the Director of Programming
- Work with the Director of Programming to fulfill Britt’s contracted responsibilities for all guest soloists and artists for the Britt Festival Orchestra
- Serve as the organizational liaison to the Britt Orchestra Committee
- Oversee musician Personal Service Agreements, homestays, and travel plans for all orchestra musicians, guest soloists and artists, and conductors
- With conductor(s), create and distribute all rehearsal and performance schedules
- Administer the annual audition process, string seating rotations, and tenure review process, working with the Music Director/conductor(s) and section leaders according to requirements in the Master Agreement
- Hire and supervise seasonal positions like the Orchestra Assistant and Librarian
- Oversee the Host Family program, including site visits to new Host Family residences (by the Orchestra Assistant, if necessary), placement of musicians, reassignments as needed, and distribution of Host Family benefits
- Work with the Production Manager, Stage Manager, and production personnel to set stage plots; ensure all auxiliary and non-standard instrument rentals; and manage rehearsals and concerts
- Proactively create opportunities for crossover programming with other members of the Programming Team (for example, engaging orchestra musicians to work with Britt Education for visits during the school year)
Administration
- Oversee the Orchestra Master Agreement: ensure compliance by all parties and assist in triennial negotiations
- Prepare and manage the Britt Festival Orchestra annual budget (currently approximately $650,000)
- Manage content creation and gathering for the annual orchestra program book, including program content, biographies, program notes, and letters
- Work with Marketing department on a collateral, advertising campaigns, and other promotional content
- Work with the Development department to provide information for orchestra-related grants and solicitations
- Work with the Development department and other staff to create orchestra parties and special events
- Participate in all full-staff activities such as weekly staff meetings (in person or Zoom), retreats, and other events
Concerts and Other Events
- Attend all Britt Festival Orchestra performances and special events
QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in orchestra administration/operations
- A bachelor’s degree in music and/or experience as an orchestral musician is a plus!
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This full-time exempt position is in Band D of Britt’s compensation structure and offers a starting salary in the range of $50-65,000 annually. Additionally, Britt offers an excellent benefits package including 100% of health, dental, and vision insurance paid for employees beginning the first day of the month following employment; life insurance coverage of $25,000 comprising two separate policies; 16 annually accrued days of flexible time off plus extended sick leave; 11 paid holidays; and a paid week off every year between Christmas and New Year’s days. At three years of service, employees are eligible for 50% of family/dependent health insurance coverage and additional flexible time off days. Britt employees also receive perks like complimentary concert tickets.
WORK SCHEDULE, ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This is a full-time, exempt position. As an events-driven organization, Britt’s work schedule varies depending upon the activities of the season and the day. This position requires working many nights and weekends leading up to and during the Britt Festival Orchestra season.
Britt has two primary work locations: the administrative office in downtown Medford, and the Britt hill park in Jacksonville, Oregon. Due to the nature of the work of the OOD, this position is open to candidates who would work remotely most of the year. The OOD is expected to be in residence for the month prior to the Britt Festival Orchestra season, the duration of the 3-week season, and for a week following the season (a total of two months, currently May-early July). The OOD would also be required to travel to Medford/Jacksonville 3-4 additional times each year, with a travel stipend and housing provided.
During in-office days, this position requires frequent computer use and the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. While at the Britt hill park, this position requires the ability to carry items of up to 30 pounds, to sit or stand outdoors for long periods of time, and to travel up and down steep hills.
TO APPLY
Please submit a statement of interest and a resume to jobs@brittfest.org. Please use the subject line “OOD application – YOURLASTNAME. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1, 2023.
Britt Music & Arts Festival is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Britt believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. All are encouraged to apply.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Britt Music & Arts Festival is a mission-driven community-based arts organization founded in 1963 in Jacksonville, Oregon. Britt provides the best in arts entertainment, engagement, and education to Southern Oregon audiences through a diverse array of live arts events: approximately 30 popular music & comedy shows, 6-7 orchestra performances, and dozens of admission-free education events each year. Recent performers include: violinists Anne Akiko Meyers and Alexi Kenney, country star Kelsea Ballerini, blues legend Buddy Guy, Pulitzer prize-winning composer and musician Caroline Shaw, contemporary jazz icon Norah Jones, and so many more. Britt’s programs and grounds are enjoyed by around 100,000 people each year, and we strive to serve the broadest possible community with opportunities for discovery through the arts. Britt’s primary performance venue is the amphitheater and public park known as the Britt Hill, which we steward 365 days per year.
The Britt Festival Orchestra was founded by John Trudeau and is the longest-running component of Britt’s programming. The orchestra season spans 20 days and includes 6-7 performances with the full orchestra, plus additional events like chamber music, children’s performances, and more. Past Music Directors include founder John Trudeau, James DePriest, Peter Bay, and Teddy Abrams. In 2024, the orchestra will be led by three guest conductors as a Music Director search is launched. Candidates for that position will lead the orchestra in 2025, and the next Music Director will likely be announced in late summer 2025.
Learn more at brittfest.org.
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in orchestra administration/operations
- A bachelor’s degree in music and/or experience as an orchestral musician is a plus!