General Manager

Hire Our Heroes Veteran Job Board; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is seeking a General Manager to lead orchestra operations and concert production. This executive role requires expertise in orchestra management, exceptional interpersonal skills, and experience in financial and strategic oversight to ensure the BSO's performance excellence and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in orchestral management or performing arts.
• Expertise in concert production and operations.
• Experience managing enterprise-wide scheduling systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of performances across the concert seasons.
• Lead collective bargaining negotiations with musicians' union.
• Develop and execute complex, multi-million-dollar budgets for production and touring.

Skills

Orchestra management

Production logistics

Strategic planning

Financial management

Education

Advanced degree in Arts Administration, Music, Business, or a related field

Job description

The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) seeks a General Manager (GM) to lead orchestra operations, concert production, touring, media projects, and enterprise-wide scheduling. Reporting to the President and CEO, the GM will ensure the seamless execution of the BSO’s performances and initiatives across Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, and beyond.

This role requires deep expertise in orchestra management, production logistics, tour management, and media. Additionally, the role requires exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate closely with musicians while providing strategic oversight of all personnel-related matters. The GM will work closely with the President and CEO, Music Director, Pops Conductor, and executive team to maintain the highest standards of artistic excellence, production quality, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability, while also expanding the BSO's presence across traditional and digital media platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Orchestra Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations of performances across the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s concert seasons, including the Boston Pops, Tanglewood, and touring.
• Collaborate with the Music Director, conductors, and artistic leadership to uphold artistic integrity and excellence.
• Build and foster a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and innovation between orchestra musicians and management, promoting shared ownership of the BSO’s artistic and institutional goals.
• Serve as the organization’s expert on the musicians’ collective bargaining agreement, ensuring its consistent application while identifying solutions that balance contractual obligations with the best interests of the orchestra, its players, and institutional priorities.
• Serve as primary liaison between orchestra members and management, ensuring open communication and organizational alignment.
• Lead collective bargaining negotiations in partnership with executive leadership, serving as the management representative in discussions with the musicians' union and in the negotiation of individual player contracts.
• Ensure all auditions are planned and executed to the highest professional standard, overseeing the Director of Orchestra Personnel in management of the audition process.
• Collaborate closely with the Music Director to plan for the timely filling of orchestra vacancies and develop strategies to attract and retain world-class artistic talent, ensuring the BSO continues to uphold its reputation as a world-class orchestra.
• Oversee the Director of Orchestra Personnel in managing contracts, scheduling, labor relations, and hiring of substitute and extra musicians.
  
  

Production and Concert Operations

• Oversee the Director of Production in all aspects of concert production and operations, including technical staging, sound, lighting, and stage management to ensure a world-class audience and performer experience.
• Maximize the value of vendor, media, touring, and production contracts by negotiating favorable terms, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring operational decisions align with the BSO’s long-term financial strategy.
• Oversee the Director of Production in the management of technical teams to maintain production standards, safety compliance, and innovative staging solutions.
• Oversee scheduling and operational planning for rehearsals, performances, and special events.
• Collaborate with marketing and ticketing teams to align production logistics with audience experience initiatives.
• Design contingency plans to address production risks, emergencies, and equipment maintenance.
  
  

Media and Digital Projects

• Oversee planning and execution of media projects, including recordings, livestreams, broadcasts, and digital content initiatives.
• Lead media strategy to ensure that all digital, broadcast, and recording initiatives authentically amplify the BSO’s brand, mission, and values, while supporting long-term audience development and institutional visibility.
• Coordinate with external production partners, record labels, and media distributors ensuring the best possible outcomes for all media projects.
  
  

Touring Management

• Plan and execute regional, domestic, and international tours for the BSO and Boston Pops, ensuring artistic and operational excellence and financial sustainability.
• Advise artistic and executive leadership on strategic touring opportunities by identifying markets, partnerships, and timing that best advance the BSO’s artistic vision, brand visibility, and institutional goals.
• Lead negotiations with presenters, venues, and local partners to secure favorable terms and ensure that touring agreements support both artistic integrity and financial sustainability.
• Oversee the production team in the management of tour logistics, contracts, budgeting, travel, and compliance with international touring regulations.
• Collaborate with marketing and development teams to maximize touring visibility and fundraising opportunities.
  
  

Enterprise Calendar Management

• Lead centralized management of the BSO’s enterprise-wide calendar, coordinating rehearsals, performances, events, recordings and special projects across all venues.
• Maintain ultimate authority over all scheduling decisions, working in close collaboration with the Artistic, Pops, Education, and Production departments to ensure seamless integration and organizational alignment.
• Ensure alignment among departments to optimize scheduling efficiency.
• In close partnership with the Information Technology team, provide oversight of enterprise calendar technology solutions.
  
  

Financial and Strategic Oversight

• Development and execute complex, multi-million-dollar budgets for production, touring, media, and orchestra operations, ensuring rigorous cost controls, accurate forecasting, and full alignment with institutional financial targets.
• Monitor and actively manage financial performance across all areas of responsibility, adjusting operational strategies in real time to ensure expenses remain within budget and organizational sustainability goals are met or exceeded.
  
  

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and inspire artistic, administrative, and technical teams to achieve operational excellence.
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration between BSO teams.
• Champion a workplace culture that advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
  
  

Institutional and Industry Relations

• Serve as an official spokesperson for the BSO as delegated by the President and CEO, representing the organization at public events, press engagements, industry conferences, and with key external stakeholders.
• Build strategic partnerships to support artistic projects, touring opportunities, and media collaborations.
• Advocate for the BSO’s leadership role in orchestral innovation and the broader performing arts industry.
• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience in orchestral management or performing arts.
• Advanced degree in Arts Administration, Music, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Expertise in orchestra management, concert production and operations, media operations, and touring logistics.
• Experience managing enterprise-wide scheduling systems.
• Proven leadership working with unionized musicians and familiarity with collective bargaining agreements.
• Deep knowledge of orchestral music and production best practices.
• Strong understanding of recording, licensing, and digital media strategies within the performing arts sector.
• Excellent strategic planning, financial management, and problem-solving skills.
• Skilled in negotiating contracts with musicians, venues, media partners, and touring presenters.
• Demonstrated success in building relationships with donors, sponsors, media outlets, and government agencies.
  
  

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