Manager, Orchestra Personnel

Boston Symphony Orchestra; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boston Symphony Orchestra invites applications for a Manager, Orchestra Personnel. This role supports day-to-day operations of the Orchestra Personnel Office across the BSO, BPO, BPEO, and BSCP, with emphasis on scheduling, payroll, and records.

The position travels with the Orchestra, relocates to Tanglewood in summer, and requires discretion, sharp organization, and strong communication to serve conductors, musicians, and colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in arts administration, music, humanities, nonprofit administration, or related field.
• Minimum of three years in orchestra personnel or related area, including experience with collective bargaining.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and complex schedules.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Orchestra Personnel Office, coordinating with the Director.
• Serve as personnel manager for rehearsals and performances, ensuring compliance with the Trade Agreement.
• Prepare and maintain rosters, rehearsal orders, and personnel information for all ensembles.
• Hire and coordinate guest musicians as directed.
• Process bi-weekly payroll for Players and Extras across ensembles.
• Maintain personnel records and support systems development.
• Coordinate auditions and support Fellowships and tenure reviews.
• Attend meetings and document discussions and actions.
• Travel with the Orchestra on tours as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Discretion / confidentiality

Problem solving

Independent & team player

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Scheduling software

Payroll systems

Database systems

Job description

Summary/Objective Job Description

About the BSO

The Boston Symphony Orchestra engages millions of people each year in the remarkable diversity and wonder of orchestral music and maintains homes at its iconic venues, Boston's Symphony Hall and Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts. From the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade to free community concerts throughout Greater Boston, an annual BSO Youth and Family series at Symphony Hall, humanities programs at the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and tour performances in concert halls around the world, the BSO remains committed to innovation, creativity, artistry, cultural relevance, education, civic engagement, and making orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity. At home, abroad, and through recordings, television, and radio broadcasts, a deep and inclusive commissioning legacy, and a history of cultivating emerging artists, the BSO reinforces its status as one of the world's most accomplished and versatile ensembles, attracting world-renowned guest artists, composers, and conductors.

About the Role

The Manager, Orchestra Personnel works closely with and reports to the Director of Orchestra Personnel in administering the personnel operations of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Boston Pops Orchestra (BPO), Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra (BPEO), and Boston Symphony Chamber Players (BSCP). This position plays a central role in the day-to-day operation of the Orchestra Personnel Office, with responsibility for musician scheduling and rosters, payroll, personnel records, and support of auditions, tenure processes, tours, and other orchestra activities. Working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, the Manager, Orchestra Personnel serves as an important point of contact for orchestra members, conductors, and colleagues across the organization and helps ensure that personnel matters are handled accurately, thoughtfully, and in accordance with the Trade Agreement. The role requires excellent judgment, attention to detail, discretion, adaptability, and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to changing personnel needs, competing priorities, and unexpected circumstances. This position works across BSO, Inc. venues and participates in tours as assigned. Position relocates to Tanglewood during the BSO's summer season in July and August.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Orchestra Personnel Office in coordination with the Director of Orchestra Personnel, maintaining supportive and informative relationships with orchestra members, conductors, and colleagues across BSO, Inc.
• Serve as personnel manager, as assigned, for rehearsals and performances, coordinating personnel, addressing issues as they arise, and ensuring compliance with the Trade Agreement.
• Prepare and maintain orchestra rosters, rehearsal orders, assignments, and related personnel information for BSO, BPO, and BPEO rehearsals and performances.
• Hire and coordinate guest musicians (Extras) as directed by the Director of Orchestra Personnel.
• Prepare and process bi-weekly payroll for Players and Extras across BSO, BPO, and BPEO activities, serving as a primary point of contact for musician payroll questions.
• Maintain accurate and detailed personnel records using Orchestra Personnel scheduling, payroll, database, and information systems, including records of attendance, leaves, benefit services, and additional payments, and support the continued development and implementation of departmental systems and processes.
• Schedule and coordinate Boston Symphony Chamber Players rehearsals and performances in collaboration with Artistic Administration, Event Services, Stage Management, the BSO Library, and partner venues.
• Support the planning and day-of operation of auditions for the BSO, BPO, BPEO, and BSO Resident Fellowship in accordance with the Trade Agreement.
• Assist with administration and coordination of the BSO Resident Fellowship Program.
• Assist with administration and coordination of the BSO tenure review process.
• Coordinate with departments across BSO, Inc. on orchestra musician participation in additional performances, events, education and community programs, media activities, and other engagements.
• Attend meetings as assigned and maintain accurate, thorough documentation of discussions, decisions, and action items.
• Participate in Trade Agreement negotiations as assigned, including preparation, research, and action items.
• Participate in domestic and international tours, runouts, and other off-site orchestra activities as assigned.
• Undertake special projects and other Orchestra Personnel responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Orchestra Personnel.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a background in arts administration, music, humanities, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in orchestra personnel, orchestra administration, or a closely related area, including experience working with collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of classical music and orchestral repertoire; formal musical training desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, diplomatically, and professionally with a wide range of individuals.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and work effectively with complex schedules and detailed information.
• Strong technical aptitude and proficiency with Microsoft Office, with the ability to learn and work effectively with scheduling, payroll, database, and other information systems.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess complex or rapidly changing situations, determine an appropriate course of action, and recognize when consultation or escalation is necessary.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities, and follow issues through to resolution while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive personnel matters with discretion and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Composure and adaptability in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to respond calmly and effectively to unexpected or time-sensitive personnel and operational needs.
• Ability to work regular business hours as well as evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the Orchestra’s rehearsal, performance, touring, and operational schedule, including responding appropriately to time-sensitive personnel matters outside regular business hours.
• Position relocates to Tanglewood during the BSO's summer season in July and August and travels domestically and internationally with the Orchestra as assigned.

Salary Range: $75,000 - 85,000 annually

The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra gave its inaugural concert on October 22, 1881, and has continued to uphold the vision of its founder, the businessman, philanthropist, Civil War veteran, and amateur musician Henry Lee Higginson, for well over a century.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, South America, and China; in addition, it reaches audiences numbering in the millions through its performances on radio, television, and recordings. It plays an active role in commissioning new works from today's most important composers; its summer season at Tanglewood is regarded as one of the world's most important music festivals; it helps develop the audience of the future through BSO Youth Concerts and through a variety of outreach programs involving the entire Boston community; and, during the Tanglewood season, it sponsors the Tanglewood Music Center, one of the world's most important training grounds for young composers, conductors, instrumentalists, and vocalists.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and encourages applications from female and minority candidates.