Overview
The Nashville Symphony (Symphony) is one of the most artistically ambitious and community-rooted orchestras in the United States, dedicated to inspiring and engaging a diverse and growing audience through extraordinary live music experiences. With a mission to entertain and educate, the Symphony is recognized for its innovative programming and its commitment to American music, including works by underrepresented composers. Founded in 1946 by World War II veteran Walter Sharp, the Symphony has grown into a leading cultural institution in the South and throughout the nation.
The Symphony owns and operates the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, located in Music City, and presents more than 150 concerts annually across genres for a broad audience. Education and community engagement are central to the Symphony’s mission, with programs such as Young People’s Concerts, sectionals, lessons for band and orchestra students, and Community Concerts throughout Middle Tennessee. Signature initiatives, the Accelerando program, and collaborations with cultural organizations reflect the Symphony’s commitment to equity, access, and educational impact.
The Symphony’s governance includes a President & CEO (role described in detail below), a Board of Directors, an Associate Board, and leadership across artistic, administrative, and development functions. The organization employs a mix of full-time and part-time staff and musicians and operates under a Master Agreement with the Nashville Musicians Association. The current leadership and board composition are described in the role specifics that follow.
Position Summary
The President & CEO will be a visionary who guides the strategy, planning, and implementation of the Symphony-Schermerhorn business model in an iconic music, arts, and entertainment destination. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for overall revenue generation, capital and artistic initiatives campaigns, community engagement, musician relations, and managerial direction. The CEO will align the Symphony’s mission, vision, and values with its artistic, educational, strategic, and financial goals in a rapidly evolving community, ensuring fiscal resiliency and facility vibrancy while leading programmatic and revenue initiatives that promote artistic excellence and national impact.
The CEO will actively engage in cultivation and stewardship of donors to sustain the Symphony’s infrastructure and legacy, representing the Symphony as a leading community asset. They will foster authentic, collaborative relationships with arts, social, educational, and business organizations and guide artistic and managerial teams to explore opportunities that expand access, increase audiences, and ensure long-term success. The role includes fostering a welcoming culture designed to promote teamwork, unity, collaboration, innovation, adaptability, equity, and inclusion across the organization.
Roles and Responsibilities
Visionary Leadership and Business Model Innovation
* Lead the innovative application of a strategic plan that ensures resilient growth, sustainability, and relevance of the Symphony in the community it serves.
* Partner with the Board, artistic leadership, executive team, and community to define and achieve long-term artistic, educational, and financial goals.
* Collaborate with artistic leadership to design programs that highlight musicians, guest conductors, and guest artists, ensuring high-quality performances.
* Empower innovative program concepts, audience engagement activities, revenue diversification opportunities, and special events aligned with financial capacity.
* Guide artistic planning, programming, and production strategies in alignment with resources and community relevance.
* Expand and support education and outreach programs addressing community needs and promoting music literacy and appreciation.
* Champion the Symphony’s role in education, development, access, and inclusion through programs like Accelerando and other initiatives.
* Oversee labor relations, including negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements.
* Embrace other visionary leadership and business model innovation responsibilities as needed.
Revenue Enhancement and Financial Resiliency
* Serve as the Symphony’s primary ambassador for investment and advancement, in partnership with the Board and staff.
* Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts, endowments, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and government grants.
* Strategize and implement capital, endowment, and planned giving campaigns with the Development team.
* Drive innovative marketing to elevate revenue from programs and donor initiatives.
* Prioritize revenue diversification that aligns with the organization’s brand and impact.
* Guide Development and Marketing teams to meet annual and long-term revenue goals.
* Oversee financial health, including budgeting, cash flow, and compliance; ensure transparent reporting and strong internal controls.
* Embrace other revenue enhancement responsibilities as needed.
Board Relations and Community Engagement
* Be a visible ambassador and advocate for the Symphony across the region.
* Build and deepen relationships with donors, civic and business leaders, press, and community partners locally and nationally.
* Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Directors, partnering on policy, governance, and financial resiliency.
* Cultivate and onboard diverse Board members in collaboration with the Board Governance Committee.
* Prepare reports and presentations for Board and Executive Committee meetings with senior leadership and Board Officers.
* Serve as a voting Board member and participate in Board committees with staff liaisons.
* Leverage digital technologies and partnerships to extend reach and impact; foster collaborations with schools, arts organizations, and nonprofits.
* Embrace other board relations and community engagement responsibilities as needed.
Team Empowerment and Organizational Leadership
* Maintain strong, respectful relationships among musicians, artistic staff, guest artists, production, and administration.
* Lead a high-performing senior artistic and managerial team, fostering inclusion and accountability for best practices.
* Promote teamwork and a one-team ethos across all departments.
* Design recruitment, retention, and professional development practices for all staff and musicians.
* Cultivate a positive organizational culture emphasizing communication, collaboration, and mutual respect.
* Ensure the Symphony’s physical infrastructure is well-maintained, safe, and actively utilized.
* Embrace other team empowerment responsibilities as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The President & CEO will be an inspirational leader with excellent communication skills and the ability to lead, motivate, and collaborate across artistic, administrative, and community spheres. They will be passionate about the Symphony’s mission and core classical repertoire, with high emotional intelligence and a track record of engaging diverse stakeholders. The CEO should model integrity, collaboration, empathy, and transparency, and be accessible to the Board, staff, musicians, and community. They will be an active listener who translates ideas into actionable reality, elevating the Symphony’s impact regionally and beyond.
Other key competencies include:
* Futuristic Thinking – envisioning aspirational initiatives with measurable outcomes based on audience and market needs.
* Leadership and Professional Accountability – inspiring others, taking responsibility, and maintaining accountability for organizational needs.
* Decision Making, Time and Priority Management – timely decisions balanced with resources and capabilities.
* Influencing Others and Diplomacy – building trust, alliances, and networks across diverse backgrounds, with sensitivity and creativity in addressing issues.
Compensation and Benefits
Nashville Symphony provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated base salary in the range of $350,000 to $400,000. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurances; flexible spending accounts; dependent care FSA; 403(b) retirement plan with discretionary employer match; life and disability insurance; voluntary benefits; generous paid time off and holidays; parking, flexible schedules, and employee assistance program.
Qualifications
A minimum of 10 years of senior management experience in maximizing philanthropic support, increasing earned revenues, designing resilient business models, and engaging diverse communities. Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and financial/facility stewardship. Experience in strategic partnerships and community involvement. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills; willingness to attend evening and weekend performances. A master’s degree or equivalent in business, arts administration, nonprofit governance, or related field is preferred. A deep understanding of producing, presenting, or touring in the performing arts is valued but not required. Candidates with transferable experience are encouraged to apply and highlight relevant strengths.
Application Instructions
Applications and Inquiries: To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments, please visit: https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/nashville-symphony-seeks-president-chief-executive-officer/
Note: Nashville Symphony provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic. This EEO policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
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