The Erie Philharmonic welcomes nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director, available in the fall of 2024. The next Executive Director of the Erie Philharmonic will be a dynamic and visionary leader, ready to build on the foundation of a 110-year-old orchestra that has tripled its operating budget to $3 million in less than a decade, performs to sold-out audiences in the historic Warner Theatre, and makes a $10 million economic impact across the broader area.
Erie Philharmonic
Founded in 1913, the Erie Philharmonic is one of the oldest continually-operating professional orchestras in the United States. Music Director Daniel Meyer, first named to the post in 2007, is now the longest-tenured conductor in the Philharmonic’s history. Under Meyer’s leadership, the Philharmonic has enjoyed sold out performances, record subscription sales, world premieres, and far-reaching educational programming. The Philharmonic maintained its visibility and relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains committed to its mission: to strengthen our community and region by providing high-quality live concerts and programs that enrich, entertain, and educate.
The Erie Philharmonic presents a five-concert Symphonic series and ten performances of five Pops programs in the historic Warner Theatre. The hall is a cultural gem of downtown Erie; a $27 million renovation was completed in 2022 and the Warner now boasts state-of-the-art acoustics and technical capabilities as well as upgrades to the artist and audience experience. The operations of the Erie Philharmonic include the Eric Philharmonic Chorus, a thriving 145-voice symphonic choir. In addition to their own programming throughout the season, the Chorus will join the Philharmonic at the end of the 2024/2025 season in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem.
The Erie Philharmonic has made a long-standing commitment to arts education in the community. The Philharmonic’s robust music education program includes the Erie Junior Philharmonic and the Student Ensembles of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus.
The Philharmonic’s In Your Hometown summer series includes nine free outdoor concerts in Erie and neighboring communities including North East, Meadville, Fairview, and Corry. The Philharmonic’s annual Summer Camp serves young and emerging musicians each year in affordable and accessible arts programming. Additional community programs include early childhood music classes, instrument petting zoos, master classes, and performances in Erie’s schools.
The Erie Philharmonic is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors and is managed by a professional staff of 16 employees. The annual operating budget is $3.6 million.
The Opportunity
The next Executive Director of the Erie Philharmonic will be a dynamic and visionary leader, ready to build on the foundation of a 110-year-old orchestra that has tripled its operating budget to $3 million in less than a decade, performs to sold-out audiences in the historic Warner Theatre, and makes a $10 million economic impact across the broader area. The next Executive Director will lead an organization that continues to refine its role in the community post-pandemic and will have the opportunity to partner with an enthusiastic Board and Music Director to engage new audiences in order to achieve financial security in the years to come.
About Erie
Located on the southern shore of its namesake lake, Erie is Pennsylvania’s primary access point to the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania with a total metro population of approximately 270,000. Erie’s revitalized downtown includes restaurants, cultural nightlife, and new businesses. Erie County is home to picturesque hiking trails, miles of lakefront views, historic lighthouses, and outdoor sporting opportunities. Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania’s most visited state park, surrounds downtown Erie. With an affordable home market and cost of living significantly lower than the national average, Erie is a family-friendly community within a two-hour drive of Buffalo, NY, Cleveland, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA.
The Position
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) provides leadership and management for the Erie Philharmonic’s human and financial resources to ensure that the organization fulfils its mission and achieves its goals for artistic success and service to the community. The ED is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the Erie Philharmonic’s operations, including: strategic planning; fundraising and business development; marketing, communications, and public relations; audience development; artistic administration; collective bargaining negotiations; concert production; budgeting and financial management; board engagement; human resource management; education; and community engagement.
The ED ensures that the Erie Philharmonic fulfills its commitment to equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination.
The ED is a partner with the Music Director in assuring that the Philharmonic achieves its goals for artistic excellence. The ED negotiates and assures compliance with the Philharmonic’s collective bargaining agreement, and fosters an environment that allows orchestra members, conductors, and guest artists to do their best work.
The ED manages the business operations of the Erie Philharmonic. The ED executes the Philharmonic’s strategic growth plan and oversees the development of annual budgets and multi-year financial and operating plans. The ED recruits, motivates, supervises, and evaluates a high caliber administrative staff.
Together with the Music Director, the ED is the visible representative of the Philharmonic throughout the community and in all community, patron, and donor activities. The ED is an active and enthusiastic fundraiser and gives impetus and support to the fundraising work of the Board. The Executive Director facilitates the governance work of the Board and ensures that the Board and its committees have timely and accurate information for decision-making. The ED sets the tone for organizational operations and is responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to administration, budgeting, and staffing.
The ED, in partnership with the Music Director, other artistic personnel, and key staff, provides leadership to the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and the Philharmonic’s music education programs, including the Erie Junior Philharmonic and the Student Ensembles of the Erie Philharmonic Chorus.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a proven leader who combines a passion for music and orchestras with excellent interpersonal skills, strong business management skills, and a track record for achieving and exceeding fundraising goals. The candidate will have a minimum of five years of senior management experience, preferably with a professional symphony orchestra or other not-for profit arts organization.
The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of music and orchestras, artists, and symphonic repertoire, including music of our time. Experience programming and producing pops concerts will be an asset. The candidate will have the proven ability to work effectively with a music director. The candidate will have successful experience negotiating and working with creative artists in a collective bargaining environment.
The successful candidate will have excellent planning, budgeting, and financial management skills. The candidate will have a record of success with fundraising from both institutional and individual donors. The candidate will have experience developing and executing effective marketing plans to drive both revenue and patron engagement. The candidate will have experience assembling, managing, motivating, and leading teams to achieve program and organizational objectives.
The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to speak and write persuasively about the value and importance of the Erie Philharmonic. The candidate will have the demonstrated ability to build successful collaborative relationships with a wide and diverse number of stakeholders, including the Board, staff, artistic personnel, volunteers, subscribers, donors, audience members, and the broader Erie community. The candidate will have experience that reflects a personal commitment to the principles of access, equity and inclusion.
The successful candidate will have the ability to manage competing demands and multiple priorities, and to make judgment calls and sound, ethical decisions. The candidate will be able to handle sensitive situations with poise, tact, and diplomacy. The candidate will be a problem solver who is able to bring differing points of view into alignment. The candidate will welcome the opportunity to participate in the civic and cultural life of the greater Erie community.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $105,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience.
Applications
The Erie Philharmonic welcomes recommendations, nominations, and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, or national origin.
Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter that describes specific interest in the Erie Philharmonic and outlines experience and qualifications for the position as described in the candidate profile. Please send this letter with a resumé. On a separate sheet, please also include the names and contact information for several professional references. All applications will be treated as confidential and references will not be contacted without the applicant’s knowledge and agreement. Electronic submissions are requested.
The position will remain open until filled; the Search Committee will begin to review credentials in November.
Erie Philharmonic – Executive Director
c/o Catherine French Group
2500 Q Street NW, Suite 623
Washington, DC 20007
applications@catherinefrenchgroup.com
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