Director of Orchestra Personnel - St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer
DIRECT REPORTS: Associate Orchestra Personnel Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Orchestra Personnel is responsible for managing the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s (SLSO) orchestra members. This is an opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact in a leadership role during an exciting time in the SLSO’s history, as the orchestra prepares to return to the renovated and expanded Powell Hall, scheduled to reopen in September 2025. As the primary staff liaison between the musicians and the administration, the Director of Orchestra Personnel works closely with members of the Artistic Operations team and the Human Resources department to ensure that the musicians’ needs are met during orchestra services, with the shared goal of providing an environment for the best possible music making. The position reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and interacts frequently with the Music Director and the President/CEO, working closely with the Musicians and the Orchestra Council, the Librarians, and the Artistic and Operations Team, including the Senior Director of Production, the Artistic Administrator, the Director of Orchestra Operations, and interfaces frequently with the Human Resources Department.

FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Oversees compliance with work rules of the collective bargaining agreement and working conditions of all contracts governing the employment and engagement of musicians including Side Agreements between the SLSO and Local-2-197 AFM, and local and national electronic media agreements.
• Supervises the Associate Orchestra Personnel Manager and delegates work as needed.
• Manages all Orchestra services, including start and stop times, breaks, string seating, wind/brass rotation, and the proper instrumentation on stage to assure the highest artistic quality.
• Ensures the appropriate scheduling of full-time musicians for services, consulting with the Music Director, guest conductors, and section principals in determining performing assignments. Identifies the need for and engages extra and substitute musicians.
• Manages musician leave requirements and requests in compliance with CBA and individual contracts, including vacation time, medical leave, relief, and other time off. Creates and maintains musician personnel records and reports.
• Prepares orchestra rosters, weekly schedules and other orchestra personnel communication as needed for distribution to musicians and staff.
• Collaborates with Artistic Administrator to develop rehearsal plans with conductors, managing changes and ensuring compliance with the CBA. Works with stage management, conductors and musicians to ensure appropriate stage set-up and anticipates issues related to seating configuration.
• Administers orchestra payroll and other compensation according to provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, side agreements, individual musician contracts, and other local and national electronic media agreements.
• Develops orchestral personnel annual budgets and oversees financial management of budgets throughout each season.
• Schedules, advertises and oversees audition process to fill vacant positions in the orchestra. Administers probationary process for full-time, tenure-track positions, and assists with work authorization and visa issues as needed.
• Facilitates clear and productive communication between musicians and library, stage crew, artistic and operations teams and other members of the staff.
• Maintains an ongoing supportive and informative relationship with Music Director and communicates with other staff and guest conductors regarding work rules, illnesses and other issues that may impact artistic considerations.
• Serves as a resource and advisor to other staff and external constituents regarding musician engagement, questions, concerns, issues and requests, including SLSO community partnership programming and casting. Assists in coordinating musicians to perform for special events.
• Collaborates with the Human Resources team regarding musician benefit administration and employment status changes, including hiring, leaves, resignations and retirements.
• Provides assistance and/or coordinates initiatives that further the organizational Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) goals as well as supporting a respectful organizational culture.
• Assists the COO and President/CEO with musician collective bargaining negotiations, individual contract negotiations, and grievances.
• Travels with Orchestra while on tour and runouts as needed; in addition to regular duties, assist in supervising Orchestra related activities and travel.
• Attends operations department, production, and other meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: Extensive working knowledge of orchestral repertoire, practical experience administrating orchestra collective bargaining agreements in a labor environment. Proficiency in a PC network environment, including Microsoft Office suite and ArtsVision.

Experience:   Bachelor’s degree, preferably in music, or otherwise applicable experience; a minimum of 5 years’ experience in an orchestra personnel management role, or a combination of experience in a personnel management role and substantial experience as a professional orchestral musician.

Skills and Abilities:

• A commitment to facilitating an environment and circumstances that support artistic excellence, while balancing organizational priorities and financial considerations
• Managerial commitment to fairness, discretion, trust, confidentiality, and high ethical standards
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to maintain positive working relationships with a wide variety of constituents and personalities
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively with conductors, artists, members of the orchestra, members of the staff, and other SLSO constituents
• Able to work independently, anticipate potential issues, problem-solve creatively, act decisively, and demonstrate good judgment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Refined sense of prioritization, organization, and attention to detail
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, and irregular hours as required