The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) seeks a visionary Vice President to lead artistic planning strategy that will enable the CSO to realize its vision to be the most relevant orchestra in America. This position has the opportunity to affect the trajectory of the Orchestra through a wide range of programming, commissioning, and artistic endeavors that will drive the organization toward this ambitious goal.

A vital member of the Senior Management Team, the Vice President of Artistic Planning works in close collaboration with the Music Director, executive leadership, and administrative colleagues to elevate the Orchestra’s artistic profile, nurture its continued growth, and ensure its prominence within the community and the sector. 

In partnership with CSO and May Festival executive and artistic leadership, the Vice President catalyzes and guides the development and execution of artistic plans for both organizations throughout the year. This involves the curation and creation of engaging and innovative programs across all series; seeking new opportunities for artistic and institutional collaborations; and, most importantly, aligning artistic objectives with the strategic goals of the CSO and May Festival.

1. Artistic Planning and Programming

• Work with the CSO Music Director to design and execute the Orchestra’s multi-season artistic programming in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals to: evolve how the Orchestra presents itself to excite 21st century audiences; reflect and welcome the diversity of the Cincinnati community on the stage, in the audience, on the administrative team and Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with the Music Director, other conductors, the CSO Musicians’ Advisory Committee, and Marketing staff on repertoire selection, digital programming, and commissioning plans.
• Oversee the development of engaging programming across all series.

2. External Relationships and Collaborations

• Utilizing insights from audience research, embrace community, collaboration and diversity of thought to: create and evolve a meaningful number of artistic experiences to engage new and more diverse audiences; increase the diversity of guest artists and composers represented across all Orchestra performances.
• Work with Orchestra leadership to create unified orchestral programs for community engagement activities, such as Brady Block Parties, that meet the considerations of all stakeholders.
• Identify and engage diverse and compelling guest artists and conductors for programs and assignments.
• Serve as an ambassador to foster and promote artistic collaboration ventures.
• Oversee project progress, performance, evaluations, and reporting. Support guest artists, contracts development, and philanthropic initiatives in line with the Orchestra’s strategic plan.

3. Artistic Operations

• Plan and schedule concerts, aligning with the Vice President of Orchestra & Production, and adhere to master agreements.
• Handle negotiations and contracts for guest artist engagements. Review and approve guest artist contracts.
• Supervise domestic and international tours in collaboration with the Vice President of Orchestra & Production.
• Supervise Artistic Planning Department team, staff conductor auditions, contracts, program content and departmental budgets.
• Advise on recording/broadcast agreements and press releases in collaboration with Vice President of Communications & Digital Media.

4. Support organization’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives as well as a respectful organizational culture.

5. May Festival

• In collaboration with May Festival artistic leadership, create and implement multi-season artistic programming for the May Festival that aligns with the vision of leading, sparking, and championing choral actives worldwide.
• Work with the Director of Choruses and the May Festival Artistic Advisory Committee to recruit May Festival artistic leadership.

6. Consistently attend concerts, and fulfill essential travel requirements for conducting searches and scouting activities.

7. Other duties as assigned.

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Direct Reports: Director of Artistic Planning, Senior Advisor for Cincinnati Pops Planning, Assistant Conductors

• Seasoned in orchestral planning, operations, and programming.
• Deep knowledge of orchestral repertoire, artists and programming trends.
• Demonstrates steady leadership with strong communication, listening and collaboration skills.
• Proficient in building connections and actively engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders while demonstrating the capacity to manage competing priorities with decisiveness and poise. 
• Experience aligning artistic objectives with organizational strategy; managing a complex budget; and negotiating, securing, and fulfilling guest artist contracts in a timely manner.