About the Columbus Symphony

The Columbus Symphony is in a period of dynamic growth, renewed artistic ambition, and deepened community engagement. As one of the city’s cultural anchors and poised to celebrate our 75th Anniversary season, we are shaping a future that honors our artistic legacy while embracing innovation, inclusivity, and the evolving expectations of our audiences. Under new executive leadership, the Symphony is strengthening organizational culture, building on a sustainable operating model, expanding educational and community impact, and planning a state-of-the-art new concert hall that will elevate not only the Symphony but the entire region. This is an exciting moment to join a forward-looking organization poised for transformation.

The Opportunity

• Are you excited about shaping the artistic future of an orchestra at a pivotal moment of organizational growth and renewed ambition?
• Can you translate big artistic ideas into practical, well-run programs that delight audiences and honor the institution’s fiscal realities?
• Are you motivated by connecting great art to real community needs in ways that are inclusive, innovative and sustainable?

Primary Function

The Vice President for Artistic Planning and Programs serves as the organization’s chief artistic strategist.  Guided by CSO’s strategic plan and the artistic vision of the Music Director, they oversee the planning and implementation of all artistic programming across classical, pops, education and special projects.  The VP collaborates closely with the Music Director, Principal Pops Conductor, Chorus Director, GM and external partners to shape a coherent and compelling artistic and educational portfolio that grows audiences, deepens impact, positions the orchestra as a cultural leader in the region and beyond, and supports revenue goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team in establishing organizational strategy, priorities, goals and budget and fostering a positive and inclusive organizational culture
• Lead the multi-year artistic planning process in collaboration with the Music Director, Principal Pops Conductor, Chorus Director, Artistic Administrator, Artistic Advisory Committee and Community Engagement & Belonging Committee, developing and planning innovative and inclusive artistic and educational programs and concert experiences that attract and educate audiences and support revenue goals, including selection of themes, repertoire and guest artists
• Ensure programming reflects artistic excellence, a broad range of voices and perspectives, and relevance to the community
• Align repertoire and projects with budget parameters, revenue goals, and organizational capacity
• Cultivate a network of professional contacts in classical music and pops, including conductors, soloists, composers, artist managers, agents, designers, directors, etc.
• Invite, schedule, negotiate with, contract and engage guest artists, including conductors, soloists, composers, dancers, stage directors, guest designers, and other collaborators
• Manage commissioning and contracting of works of music and music-related works of video and projection design, choreography, theatrical productions
• Establish artistic partnerships to collaborate on co-commissions, content creation, etc.
• Collaborate with the Music Director, General Manager, VP of Marketing and other pertinent staff in developing each season’s calendar, including schedule of rehearsals, concerts, and other activities
• Attend rehearsals and concerts, ensuring high-quality productions and artist/audience experiences
• Develop and oversee the Artistic Programs and Education budgets
• Provide leadership and vision for Education and Community Engagement, including CSO’s four youth symphonies, youth concerts, in-school programs, family events, adult learning and community partnerships
• Integrate education and engagement programs with the broader artistic strategy, ensuring clear throughlines between the stage, the classroom and the community.
• Support the Education team in curriculum development, teacher partnerships, and program evaluation, balancing quality, scale and impact
• Champion access, inclusion and equity through program design, partnerships, and pricing strategies
• Represent artistic and educational needs in planning for CSO’s new building, including stage configuration, acoustics, technology, rehearsal/education spaces, and flexible venues.
• Collaborate on digital strategy, including live streams, recordings and media projects that extend the reach of artistic and educational work
• Identify and pilot additional ways to monetize CSO’s artistic expertise and assets
• Participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospective donors interested in funding artistic and education programs, initiatives or collaborations; ensure programming is aligned with donor/sponsor values
• Stay abreast of emerging artists, composers, visual content creators, and artistic activities in the classical music field and recommend new activities and models to advance the organization’s priorities and drive the future of the art form

 This job description is not designed to cover or contain an exhaustive listing of duties, responsibilities, and key performance objectives that are expected of the employee. These items may change, or new job-related items may be assigned from time to time.

Key Performance Objectives

• Manager effectiveness rating is acceptable from CEO’s perspective, showing clear attention to team performance and engagement
• Deliver a fully programmed season (Classical, pops, special projects), at least 12-18 months in advance, aligned with strategic goals, budget parameters, and community impact objectives
• Maintain <2% variance from approved artistic and education budgets, with timely monthly forecasting and cost-containment strategies
• Achieve 90% satisfaction from post-engagement surveys (musicians, Music Director, guest artists) and secure a balanced slate of emerging, mid-career, and marquee talent
• Ensure programming includes underrepresented and underperformed composers, new commissions and/or genre-expanding projects, aligned with goals of the Community Engagement & Belonging committee
• Increase annual participation of youth, schools and adults in education programs year over year while improving measurable learning and/or engagement outcomes.
• Launch at least 2 collaborative or cross-sector artistic initiatives per year that deepen community engagement, drive audience growth, or elevate institutional profile.
• Support marketing and development efforts by participating in cultivation and audience-facing events tied to artistic programming
• Secure at least one major commission or multi-year artistic project per season that strengthens the institution’s artistic identity and national visibility

30/60/90

• First 30 days:
  • Establish strong working relationships with key collaborators including Music Director, Principal Pops Conductor and Chorus Director
  • Meet with CEO, peers on the leadership team, musician leaders and board members to understand collaborative and interdependent relationships and deadlines and to gain opinions on what is going well and what could be improved; document and share observations and suggestions with supervisor
• First 60:
  • Understand Music Director’s artistic vision
  • Develop collaborative working relationships with senior leaders including GM, VP of Marketing, CDO, and CFO
  • Quickly get up to speed on where we are on current and future season artistic planning
• First 90:
  • Understand budget process
  • Assume primary responsibility for artistic planning process including meeting deadlines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess a strong appreciation for the mission and culture of the Columbus Symphony
• Extensive knowledge of classical orchestral and chamber music repertoire
• Familiarity with Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Commitment to developing programs and opportunities that support the organization’s goals for community engagement and inclusion
• An unwavering commitment to artistic and production excellence
• Ability to cultivate trust and credibility with colleagues
• Ability to successfully manage resources—human, financial and physical—to maximize productivity and assure the highest quality work
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of personalities
• Ability to negotiate favorable terms for contracts and agreements
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to simultaneously manage and meet deadlines for numerous long- and short-range artistic initiatives

Credentials and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in music performance, music education or related field
• Typically, 10+ years of experience in an artistic planning role within a conservatory or performing arts environment, including five or more years of experience in a senior-level position are needed to have sufficient experience and judgement to perform a role of this size and complexity.

Special Requirements

• Successful background check
• The majority of CSO’s public events take place at night and on weekends. This position requires the ability to have reliable transportation, frequently working evenings and weekends when theatre activity is required.