Executive Director

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra (FSO) seeks a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking Executive Director to lead the organization at an exciting time of growth and community engagement. Working in partnership with the Music Director and Board of Directors, the Executive Director will advance the mission of the FSO, which is to educate, entertain, and inspire the community through music. They will also foster meaningful relationships across the community, ensuring organizational sustainability, and expanded impact.

About the Organization:
Founded in 1956, the FSO is a professional, regional orchestra serving Fayetteville and the surrounding region. The FSO is committed to presenting high-quality performances, fostering educational opportunities for youth and adults, and building connections through innovative and accessible programming. The organization offers a youth orchestra program and an adult community band. The organization’s annual operating budget is around $615,000, and the organization benefits from a significant endowment fund held at Cumberland Community Foundation. The Executive Director will play a key role in guiding the next phase of the FSO’s development, leading administrative operations, fundraising, marketing, community partnerships, and strategic initiatives. Yearly engagements typically include 6 season concerts (mix of masterworks, pops, and chamber), 5-7 community/family concerts, 4 community band concerts, 2 youth orchestra concerts, and 4-6 community outreach concerts (called Symphony on Tap).

About the Community:
Located in southeastern North Carolina, Fayetteville is a dynamic and welcoming community known for its deep military roots and growing arts and cultural scene. A neighbor to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world, Fayetteville embraces a diverse and globally connected population. The city’s revitalized Downtown District offers a vibrant mix of locally owned restaurants, shops, galleries, and performance venues, while organizations like the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County help foster a thriving creative community. With its rich history, affordable cost of living, and cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, Fayetteville is an ideal place to live and work.

Position Summary:
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors/Board Chair and is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. This includes leadership in strategic planning, finance, fundraising, marketing, operations, education programs, and community engagement. Two full-time and four part-time staff members report to the Executive Director, who works out of the FSO office during business hours and supports evening and weekend concerts. The Executive Director works collaboratively with the Music Director to ensure the Symphony’s artistic and organizational success. The hiring range for this position is $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience, and includes a cash benefit stipend.

Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Administration
Oversee all business operations, including marketing, finance, development, and strategic planning.
Drive the development of a general vision for the organization, which may be translated into identifiable objectives.
Develop annual budgets, financial plans, and long-range goals in alignment with the Symphony’s mission.
Ensure compliance with contracts, policies, and local, state, and federal regulations.
Hire, supervise, and evaluate administrative staff.
Delegate authority to professional staff as appropriate and necessary while retaining overall responsibility, particularly in such areas as Concert Production and Education & Community Engagement.

Concert Production
Collaborate with the Music Director to create and execute an annual operations plan for concerts, rehearsals, and related events.
Direct logistics including venue contracts, equipment, licensing, staffing, guest artist arrangements, ticket sales, and event execution.

Board Relations
Advise and support the Board of Directors, providing regular updates and strategic recommendations.
Assist in Board recruitment, orientation, and development.

Fundraising & Development
Lead fundraising campaigns, grant writing, and donor cultivation in collaboration with the Board.
Manage donor relations, acknowledgments, and reporting.

Marketing & Public Relations
Direct marketing strategy and oversee promotional materials, audience engagement, and media relations.
Serve as community-facing representative for the FSO. Attend community events and functions, remain available for press engagements.

Finance
Prepare budgets, monitor financial health, authorize expenditures, and ensure accurate financial records.
Assist with the completion of an annual financial audit.
Ensure grant compliance and timely tax filings.

Education & Community Engagement
Support youth educational initiatives and the Fayetteville Youth Symphony Orchestra (FSYO) in partnership with the FSYO Music Director.
Coordinate educational programming, ensuring adequate staffing and resources.
Support adult education initiatives and the Fayetteville Symphonic Band (FSB) in partnership with the FSB Music Director.

Desired Qualifications:
The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least two to five years of leadership and management experience with an orchestra, performing arts organization, or other non-profit organization.
Demonstrated communications, marketing, fundraising, organizational, and managerial skills.
Ability to connect with diverse stakeholders including community leaders, board members, and donors.
Strong financial management experience and reporting skills.
Ability to work independently as well as with a team.
Familiarity with symphony orchestras strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:
The hiring range for this position is $70,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience
The FSO does not offer traditional benefits at this time. In lieu of traditional benefits, a cash stipend equivalent to 14% of the employee’s base salary is offered. This stipend is paid monthly with the employee’s regular salary.
The FSO offers 12 paid holidays and 18 days of PTO per year.

Application Instructions:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until filled. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references as PDF documents to search@fayettevillesymphony.org.

Statement of Nondiscrimination:
The FSO is committed to equity, inclusion, non-discrimination, and it is our policy and goal to promote the inclusion and engagement of the residents of Fayetteville and across eastern NC to protect all classes of people, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, cultural background and experiences, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, socio-economic status, physical and mental ability, and religion in all aspects of employment.