The San Diego Symphony is at a pivotal moment in its history with the appointment of Rafael Payare as Music Director in 2019, the opening of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park™ in August of 2021, and the re-opening of Jacobs Music Center on September 28, 2024 after a $125 million dollar renovation. The Director of Artistic Planning will play an impactful role in working with Rafael Payare, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Martha Gilmer, and members of the administrative staff to create a vibrant season imagining new ways of engaging with our indoor audiences in innovative ways.

General Summary:

The Director of Artistic Planning is a key partner in all aspects of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s artistic planning for Masterworks, Chamber Music, Festivals, Presentations, Touring, Galas, and Special Events, working closely with the Vice President of Artistic Administration and Audience Development, the Music Director, President and CEO, Creative Consultant, and other key staff members. The Director of Artistic Planning manages day-to-day artistic matters in relation to all Classical programmed concerts. The Director of Artistic Planning is a central figure in the institution for disseminating programming information, serving as an inter-departmental resource and developing positive relationships with conductors, artists, and composers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop the artistic schedule of concerts and rehearsals for the Indoor season by working with the Music Director and President and CEO on overarching themes, guest artists, and programming.
• Build relationships with artists and their managers, ensuring that the San Diego Symphony is well known for its artistic excellence and as a destination for guest artists.
• Create a three-year repertoire plan for the Music Director including recordings and commissioned works. Assure the repertoire’s relevance in our EDI commitment with a balance of different styles and compositional periods. 
• Work with the Vice President of Impact and Innovation and Marketing leadership to rebuild audiences as we return to Jacobs Music Center after a 4-year hiatus.
• Explore new ways to bring audiences closer to the music and its meaning in their lives.
• Attend rehearsals and concerts assuring best possible atmosphere for Music Director and guest artists, making them feel at their best for their performance.
• Manage current classical season budget and participate in budget process with the Vice President of Artistic Administration and Audience Development.
• Program the Chamber Music series.
• Develop a sustainable series approach to presented classical artists in the Jacobs Music Center.
• As we return to our newly renovated hall, imagine ways of using all the new spaces.
• Interact with artists and artist managers to discuss and coordinate availability, programming, fee negotiations, and rehearsal schedules.
• Travel as required to identify and research potential programming opportunities.
• Work closely with the Production and Orchestra Operations teams to ensure successful events produced at a high, professional level.
• Lead artistic discussions, ensuring clear technical and project requirements are disseminated to Production, for multidisciplinary special projects, as needed. With Special Projects, integrate and steward creative personnel (Stage Directors, Designers, etc.), into the overall classical projects event timeline, keeping Artistic, Production, and Orchestra Management colleagues updated on a regular basis.
• Supervise Artistic department staff members on artist contracting, payment, and hospitality.
• Oversee classical artist work visa applications with consultants as needed, ensuring adherence to deadlines. Be aware of necessary visa requirements and the required scheduling for approvals.
• Understand the negotiated CBA agreement clauses that relate to the Music Director and to the schedule requirements of the orchestra.
• Work with the orchestra musicians to support their artistry.
• Process conductor and guest artist contracts and payments on a need by basis.
• Process all required financial reports and documents in a timely manner.
• Supervise (as required) Artistic department staff members on logistical follow-up as it relates to the Music Director, guest conductors, soloists, and visiting composers with rehearsal orders, rehearsal, and performance schedules.
• Contract for and manage production deadlines for commissioned works, in cooperation with the Principal Librarian, including instrumentation, music copying, and delivery in compliance with contract deadlines.
• Manage artistic content and future planning in ArtsVision in collaboration with Artistic and Orchestra Management colleagues.
• Negotiate conductor, artist, and chorus fees as assigned.
• Assist in season calendar planning in accordance with the orchestra CBA and subscription series requirements with the Vice President of Artistic Administration and Audience Development and the Director of Orchestra Operations.
• Partner with key orchestra operations staff and electronic media staff/committees to obtain artist rights and approvals for all media projects.
• Together with the inter-departmental Audience Development team, oversee content (musical and non-musical) for various concert enhancements to help guide a further plan for audience development.
• Partner with Grant writing team to identify opportunities for funding and write grant applications.
• Serve on committee of Directors to drive ongoing improvements to internal processes and other initiatives.
• Participate in Artistic musician committees.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Detailed knowledge and passion for classical music is essential to this position.
• Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• A desire to build relationships with our musicians and our valued guest artists.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and supportively.
• Able to work effectively on several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of the symphonic and chamber music repertoire, as well as current American and international performers (conductors, composers, soloists).
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills combine with effective negotiating skills.
• Detail oriented, capable of planning and prioritizing work with a sense of urgency and appropriate timing.
• Prior management experience preferred.
• Proficiency in word processing and spreadsheet programs.
• Knowledge of ArtsVision.
• Skilled at conducting internet research.

Education and Experience:    

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• A minimum of seven years related experience required in orchestra management or classical performing arts institution.
• Experience with orchestral repertoire and classical music required.
• Familiarity with symphony orchestra operations.
• Foreign language skills a plus.

General Requirements: 

• Available to work nights, weekends, and overtime (in addition to regular day shifts) as required for concert and rehearsal coverage.
• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Able to pick up and move a minimum of 20 lbs.
• Willing to travel to see conductors and guest artists

Working Conditions: 

• Regular, predictable attendance required as well as evening and weekend work shifts.
• Normal office working conditions: sitting at a desk and computer terminal for long periods of time, typing and computer work, light to moderate lifting.

About San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association

San Diego Symphony Orchestra – Changing Lives Through Music The San Diego Symphony, through unquestionable commitment to the highest levels of artistic achievement, seeks to elevate human potential by providing a shared sense of pride and belonging to something bigger than any of us can achieve alone. We offer audiences the wonder of live music and transformative learning experiences that develop an understanding and passion for the arts. To ensure we are an enduring force in the region we commit to fiscal responsibility. We serve and shape the culture of the region, by being for all and with all, the musical heart of San Diego. •Strive: Always the Best •Learn: Creative, Expressive, Curious •Reach: Music for Everyone •Ignite: Spark Passion An Introduction The San Diego Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert on December 6, 1910. In the 100-plus years since its inception, the SDSO has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States and was designated a Tier 1 Orchestra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010. It is committed to providing musical experiences of superior quality for the greater San Diego community and beyond. Through a rich mixture o...f innovative and educational programming designed to appeal to all ages and cultures, the Symphony makes music an integral part of the cultural and intellectual fabric of Southern California, valued by and relevant to all its residents. The Music Director of the San Diego Symphony is Rafael Payare. The Symphony comprises 82 full-time musicians. The Orchestra offers a wide range of concert experiences and performs more than 140 concerts each year. The SDSO's performances at the Jacobs Music Center, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park and beyond include: Jacobs Masterworks offers traditional classical repertoire and features guest artists such as Joshua Bell, Yuja Wang, Pacho Flores, Lang Lang and Gil Shaham. Broadway @ The Jacobs focuses on Broadway hits and the Great American Songbook; it features popular guest artists such as Michael Feinstein, Lea Salonga and Patti Lupone. (Note: this series is currently suspended.) Family Concerts feature family-friendly concerts and an opportunity to expose children to classical music. The Fox Theatre Film Series shows classic Silent Era films and contemporary favorites. The Hall’s built-in, mighty Fox Theatre Robert Morton Theater Organ often accompanies the classics of the Silent Film Era while modern films are screened with the San Diego Symphony providing the musical soundtrack. (Note: this series is currently suspended.) Jazz @ The Jacobs brings together the finest local and international artists of modern jazz music at the Jacobs Music Center. Each summer the Orchestra presents an outdoor season of concerts at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, mixing classical favorites and pop music on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront. Our Home Jacobs Music Center is regarded as one of the finest classical music venues on the West Coast. Originally built in 1929 as The Fox Theatre, this lush movie palace style hall became the property of the SDSO in 1984. The beauty and majesty of this historic hall added to the stature and artistic growth of SDSO. In October 2013, the complex consisting of Copley Symphony Hall, the newly renovated lobbies, the backstage areas, the Grosvenor Family Musicians' Center and the Symphony administrative offices was officially named the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center, which opened in September 2024. The Gift On January 14, 2002, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra celebrated the announcement of the single largest donation ever made to a Symphony Orchestra, totaling $120 million. This pledged gift was generously given by Joan and Irwin Jacobs, solidifying a sustained period of stability for the orchestra marked by what has now been over 15 straight years of balanced budgets. At the time of the gift, The New York Times declared the San Diego Symphony Orchestra was "placed firmly on the nation’s musical landscape" as a result of this news. (Click here for a thorough explanation of the Jacobs Gift as detailed in a Voice of San Diego story on the 10th Anniversary of the Gift.) The Music Director San Diego Symphony’s music director is Rafael Payare, who began his leadership role in July of 2019. Mr. Payare’s profound musicianship, technical brilliance and charismatic presence on the podium has elevated him as one of the most sought-after conductors, working regularly with the world’s leading orchestras. Since being awarded first prize at the prestigious Malko Conducting Competition in 2012, Payare has been celebrated as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. The 2014-15 season saw his acclaimed debut with Vienna Philharmonia at the Musikverein, and invitations to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic. This was followed by his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival. In September 2014, he was announced as Chief Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra in Northern Ireland and their partnership is now recognized as one of the most dynamic in the United Kingdom. Mr. Payare is a graduate of the celebrated El Sistema in Venezuela. He began his formal conducting studies in 2004 with renowned conductor, José Antonio Abreu. Mr. Payare has conducted all the major orchestras in Venezuela, including the Simón Bolivar Orchestra. Having also served as principal horn of the Simón Bolivar Orchestra, Mr. Payare took part in many prestigious tours and recordings with conductors including Guiseppe Sinopoli, Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle and Lorin Maazel. He also recently became Music Director of Canada’s Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (Montreal Symphony Orchestra/OSM) as well. With impressive experience working with some of the world’s most elite orchestras, Mr. Payare is considered one of the classical music world’s most charismatic and acclaimed conductors. We have no doubt that Mr. Payare’s commitment to artistic excellence will bring the SDSO to ever-higher levels of achievement and renown and we are very much looking forward to this musical partnership.

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