General Manager, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Association of California Symphony Orchestras; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra seeks a General Manager to lead production and artistic operations, reporting to the Executive Director. The role ensures smooth orchestral activities, coordinating with the Music Director, artistic partners, musicians, venues, and staff.

The GM oversees staff, budgets, and contractual relations, and represents the organization in external partnerships and committees. Residency in Southern California is required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working positively with professional classical musicians and negotiating artistic contracts.
• Strong budgeting and financial planning skills for large departmental budgets.
• Proven track record managing diverse staff and unions in a performing arts setting.

Responsibilities

• Work strategically with Music Director and Executive Director on season planning, hiring, and budgetary matters.
• Prepare and manage $2.5 million+ departmental budgets for Artistic and Orchestra production expenses.
• Maintain relationships with committees, unions, and venues; lead collective bargaining negotiations.
• Oversee production, touring, and special concerts; ensure operational excellence.
• Mentor staff and coordinate with Finance, Development, Marketing, and PR teams.

Skills

Relationship-building

Artistic contract negotiations

Budgeting & finance

Staff leadership

Communication

Orchestra operations knowledge

Job description

General Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Description

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as an integral member of the senior management team, the General Manager will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for production and artistic functions. The successful General Manager is an experienced relationship-builder who ensures the smooth operations of all the orchestra's activities, facilitating communication with the Music Director, artistic partners, musicians, venues, community partners, and staff. The General Manager functions as a liaison between the orchestra and the rest of the organization and is responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Master Agreement. The General Manager works closely with the Executive Director and Music Director and plays a key role in ongoing interactions and communications with various partners and committees such as the Artistic Advisory Committee. The position supervises the Artistic Operations Assistant, Artistic Administrator, Orchestra Librarian, Orchestra Personnel Manager, and Stage Manager.

General Responsibilities

• Work strategically with Music Director and Executive Director on key initiatives, season planning, hiring, and budgetary matters.
• Prepare and manage $2.5 million+ departmental budgets for Artistic and Orchestra production expenses.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with Orchestra Committee, Local 47, and AFM, and lead collective bargaining negotiations.
• Execute/oversee tenure review process.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Finance on orchestra payroll and multi-year Artistic/Orchestra budgeting.
• Communicate and collaborate with Development, Learning, Marketing & PR Departments on an ongoing basis.
• Mentor and develop departmental staff using a supportive and collaborative approach: assign accountabilities; set objectives; establish priorities; monitor and evaluate results.
• Oversee special projects such as digital content distribution, touring and recording.
• When necessary, serve in the Executive Director’s stead both internally and externally.
• Oversee LACO Fellowship program strategy, timelines, and budget, coordinating closely with the Artistic Operations Assistant on daily execution.
• Meet regularly with LACO Fellows to provide executive-level mentorship, serving as a representative of the orchestra and the programs’ leadership.

Artistic Planning

• Work with Music Director and Executive Director on season planning, budget, and hiring.
• Leads Artistic Advisory Committee with agenda-setting duties included.

Production

• Maintain open communication with Orchestra Committee, Audition Committee, Tenure Review Committee, and respond to issues in a timely manner in consultation with appropriate staff.
• Promote a positive relationship between the musicians, staff, and Board.
• Supervise the implementation of current season production and planning of future activities, including seasons, run-outs, tours, and special concerts.
• Comprehensive management of relationship with all facilities and partner venues.
• Coordinate, supervise, and implement various ancillary activities, including auditions, receptions, and informal musical events involving musicians.

Desired Characteristics

• Demonstrated experience working positively and productively with professional classical musicians and experience negotiating artistic contracts and collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of classical music and the performing needs of orchestral musicians; musical training or experience as a professional musician a plus
• Excellent knowledge of orchestra and venue operations, including backstage and front-of-house production elements.
• Track record of ensuring a safe and productive work environment for performers and production crew.
• Experience managing impactful community programs, plus experience working with diverse constituents and building a welcoming and inclusive environment that encourages broad participation in the arts.
• Superior planning, organizational, and scheduling skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and act swiftly and calmly under pressure.
• Familiarity with budgeting and a commitment to fiscal responsibility.
• Experience in managing full-time and part-time, at-will and unionized staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

Direct reports

• Artistic Operations Assistant (FT)
• Artistic Administrator (FT)
• Librarian (PT)
• Personnel Manager (PT)
• Stage Manager (PT)

Overtime exempt annual salary range: $125,000-$135,000 annually. Position requires residency in Southern California.

LACO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or creed, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) is recognized as one of the world’s top musical ensembles, known for its artistic excellence, adventurous programming, and commitment to education and community engagement. LACO’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through intimate, transformative musical experiences that exemplify and foster artistic excellence, inclusion, and innovation.

For more information about LACO, please visit www.laco.org.