Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Operations Council; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Health benefits

Retirement plan with match

Job summary

Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc. seeks a Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) to partner with the CEO and leadership in driving the organization’s mission in Pittsburgh.

The COO will oversee artistic planning, operations, labor relations, technology, and business intelligence to execute annual and long‑term plans. Reporting to the CEO, the role leads capital projects, staff development, and community programs, while collaborating with the Board and executive team on strategic direction

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in operational leadership and strategic planning.
• At least 8 years in arts management, preferably orchestra management.
• 5+ years in a senior management role in a professional arts organization.
• Experience with large capital projects and labor negotiations.
• Working knowledge of orchestra repertoire and operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide organizational leadership with a focus on daily internal operations and strategic planning.
• Supervise departments for seasons, programming, education, and operations.
• Oversee capital projects and financial planning with the CFO/CEO.
• Develop staff capabilities and performance management.
• Manage labor relations and collective bargaining processes with unions.
• Collaborate with CEO, Board and leadership team on mission delivery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Change management

Budgeting/financial planning

Labor relations

Team development

Capital project oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Musical background (preferred)

Job description

JOB PURPOSE AND REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key strategic and operational partner with the CEO and other organizational leadership in decision making and fulfilling the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s mission and goals. The COO is responsible for executing on annual and long-term plans of the PSO through leadership and supervision in the following areas: artistic planning, strategic planning, orchestra-, stage-, and facility-operations, electronic media, technology, orchestra personnel, labor relations, community programs, business intelligence, and general operations. The COO is part of the senior leadership team and works closely with the CEO, the CFO, the CDO, the CREO, the Music Director, the Board of Directors and other members of the leadership team on the execution of mission and strategic direction of the organization.

Direct Reports: Vice President of Artistic Planning, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Information Technology, Senior Vice President of Learning & Engagement, Director of Commercial & Popular Programming and Executive Administrative Associate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Leadership – the COO provides organizational leadership with a focus on daily internal operations as well as partnering with the C-Suite on strategic planning for the future. The COO provides organizational leadership in the CEO’s absence and is the public face of the organization in the CEO’s absence. The COO provides general oversight of the PSI’s management operating system to ensure that planning processes, management controls, and internal communications effectively deliver the business of the PSI.
• Span of Control - the COO supervises and directs all departments responsible for planning, developing and executing the Symphony seasons, Heinz Hall programming and operations, as well as activities related to education, electronic media and community programs. They work closely with the CFO and CEO on budget development and monitoring as well as long-range financial planning for operational expenses. The COO also works in conjunction with senior leadership on the development and execution of the strategic plan, community projects, community relationships, run out and tour relationships as well as fundraising and marketing and communications when appropriate.
• Capital Projects - The COO provides executive leadership and oversight for the PSO’s capital projects, ensuring investment strategies align with corporate objectives, operational priorities, growth initiatives, and long-term financial goals. Direct capital planning and resource allocation processes across departments to maximize return and support sustainable organizational growth. Partner with executive leadership and key stakeholders to develop business cases, assess risks, establish funding priorities, and make strategic decisions regarding major capital investments.
• Staff Development and Management – The COO is responsible for ensuring that the departments are staffed appropriately and within the financial forecasts. The COO ensures that performance expectations are clearly defined, measured and if needed addressed. The COO, in conjunction with department leadership, identifies opportunities for employee growth and training. The COO leads the efforts to ensure that the work environment allows staff to perform, thrive and succeed.
• Labor Relations – The COO, in conjunction with the CEO, CFO, CREO and VP of Operations, is responsible for the labor relations management on behalf of the Symphony and for developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with the labor unions working within the organization. This includes working closely with the VP of Operations and CREO on regular contract management, grievance processes and the collective bargaining negotiations process with seven unions. The COO ensures that the collective bargaining processes are aligned with the organizational direction strategies and goals. The COO also works with the CEO, VP of Operations and Director of Orchestra Personnel on individual contract negotiations with PSO musicians.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College degree required, advanced degree and musical background preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of increasing responsibility in operational leadership and strategic planning.
• At least 8 years of experience in arts management, preferably in orchestra management.
• At least 5 years of experience in a senior management role with a professional arts organization.
• Demonstrated experience in motivating, managing and developing teams.
• Experience with large capital projects.
• Experience with labor negotiations and collective bargaining agreements.
• Working knowledge of orchestra repertoire and orchestra operations.

Compensation and Location:

This is a full-time exempt position with an annual salary between $200,000 - $270,000 depending upon experience.

• paid holidays
• paid time off
• employer paid health benefits
• retirement savings options with an employer match

Heinz Hall in downtown Pittsburgh is the work location for this position. The PSO supports a flexible, hybrid work environment, which currently includes three days per week in-person work, including work on weekends and evenings during PSO and Heinz Hall concerts or events.

Pittsburgh Symphony, Inc. (PSI) provides equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other class or category protected by local, state, or federal law.

The specific statements shown in each section of the description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully.

The PSI recognizes that an individual with a disability may require a job modification/accommodation to enable them to successfully perform a job function. Consideration will be given to such requests. Such requests should be directed to Human Resources.