Personnel Manager

JOB TITLE: Personnel Manager
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Seasonal, Non-Exempt, Part time

ABOUT NHMF: The New Hampshire Music Festival (NHMF) is a 4-week annual summer festival in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, presenting classical orchestral and chamber music concerts in the month of July. 2026 marks 74 years of music-making for the New Hampshire Music Festival. Musicians come from across the country to participate from top orchestras and academic institutions in the US. NHMF is a cornerstone of classical music in the region, fostering a shared experience of music that connects and uplifts the community.

JOB SUMMARY: The Orchestra Personnel Manager plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations at the New Hampshire Music Festival through administering the personnel of the orchestra. This role includes overseeing implementation of the Personnel Agreement, preparing payroll, acquiring availability and contracting musicians, coordinating audition needs with the Orchestra Committee, addressing musician personnel issues and serving as liaison between musicians, the conductor, guest artists and administrative staff. This position requires a friendly and detail-oriented individual to support the festival’s efforts.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Orchestra Personnel
Maintain current contact information list for all contract musicians including address, phone numbers and email addresses
Maintain up-to-date biographies for rostered musicians
Maintain substitutes and extras list in consultation with Principal players
Hire Permanent Roster, substitute and extra musicians, consistent with NHMF’s artistic standards and as as necessitated by repertoire and player absences
Provide personnel lists for the Season program book and each concert
Distribute general announcement emails to rostered players each week of the Festival
Coordinate with the Orchestra Committee to ensure availability and proper scheduling of candidates and committee members for auditions

Rehearsals
Provide both fifteen-minute & five-minute calls for rehearsals and notify the conductor of the start and close of rehearsals.
Make personnel announcements at rehearsals as required.
Email and post rehearsal orders as determined by the conductor
Log significant events in connection with rehearsals or concerts such as complaints, tardiness, failure to wear appropriate dress, and general deportment
Respond to conductor and musician requests, problems, and issues arising out of or in connection with an imminent service in a manner consistent with the Personnel Agreement; communicate such events to the Executive Director as soon as possible for collaboration and final approval of action to be taken
Coordinate changes in seating, on-call musicians, and engagement of last-minute substitutes due to unscheduled absence or tardiness.

Housing
Coordinate housing assignments by matching musicians to appropriate housing
Maintain accurate records of placements, move-in/move-out dates, and occupancy status
Serve as a point of contact between musician residents and campus representatives
Support campus apartment move-in and move-out, including coordination of keys, storage box delivery, and apartment checks

QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must be 18+ and authorized to work in the US.
Strong attention to detail and organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
Proficient with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
Knowledge of orchestral repertoire and instrumentation with an ability to read musical scores.
Ability to work with diverse personalities while maintaining diplomacy and a calm demeanor under pressure.
Prior personnel management experience preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The Personnel Manager should be able to move about freely, move large and cumbersome items, and lift at least 40 lbs without risking personal harm.

TIME REQUIREMENTS & WORK MODALITY: This is a part-time seasonal position beginning in April and running through the New Hampshire Music Festival’s performance season (July). The estimated seasonal time commitment is 300 hours; estimated hours of 10 hours/week between start date and mid-May and 20-25 hours/week mid-May through August 1. NHMF offers a hybrid modality that is remote during the planning season and on-site during the Festival (housing will be provided if necessary). Hours can be flexible, but a schedule will be confirmed with the Executive Director. The Personnel Manager must be on-site for all scheduled orchestra services including evenings during the Festival.

Estimated start date: February 2, 2026
End date: August 1, 2026

COMPENSATION: $20 per hour

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, one-page résume, and contact information for three references to jobs@nhmf.org with “Personnel Manager” in the subject line. Application review is expected to begin January 18, 2026.