Description:
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and strategic Chief Operating Officer and General Manager to join one of the world’s premier chamber orchestras at an exciting moment in its evolution. Reporting to the President and Managing Director, this highly visible role serves will help shape the next chapter of the SPCO’s artistic and organizational future by providing the operational leadership needed to support extraordinary music-making, a distinctive musician-led artistic model, and a strong sustainable organization. The ideal candidate will bring strong musical and artistic knowledge, orchestra personnel experience, operational judgment, diplomacy, and the ability to build trust across musicians, staff, artistic leaders, union partners, venues, board members, community stakeholders, and other partners while advancing the SPCO’s mission, impact, sustainability, and leadership within the orchestral field.
About The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. For more than 65 years, the SPCO has enriched the cultural life of the Twin Cities through extraordinary artistry, innovative programming, and a unique musician-led artistic model. Through concerts across the region, community partnerships, and a commitment to accessibility, the SPCO strives to ensure that great music is available to all. Our musicians, staff, and board share a deep commitment to artistic excellence, collaboration, service to the community, and a shared artistic vision, working together to create an inclusive and creative environment where artistry and people can thrive.
Position Summary
The Chief Operating Officer and General Manager provides collaborative leadership for orchestra operations, orchestra personnel, electronic media rights compliance, information technology, and facilities and venue operations. Reporting to the President and Managing Director, this position serves as a member of the senior management team and plays a central role in translating the SPCO’s artistic vision into effective operational strategy, planning, and execution. The position works closely with artistic leadership, musicians, staff, union partners, venues, and external partners to oversee season planning, concert and activity scheduling, touring, recordings, special projects, venue and facility relationships, orchestra personnel matters, collective bargaining agreement administration, labor relations, media rights compliance, operational budgets, and related organizational infrastructure. The Chief Operating Officer and General Manager serves as a primary liaison between the Orchestra and the broader organization, supporting clear communication, productive collaboration, sound decision-making, financial sustainability, compliance with applicable agreements, and the operational excellence necessary to advance the SPCO’s mission and musician-led artistic model. This position reports to the President/Managing Director and supervises the Director of Operations, the Director of Orchestra Personnel, the Orchestra Librarian and the Technical Director.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership
- Serve as a member of the SPCO's senior leadership team, helping shape organizational strategy and advance institutional priorities
- Provide leadership and oversight for orchestra operations, orchestra personnel, media rights administration, facilities, and information technology
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and solutions-oriented culture across departments and constituencies
- Lead, mentor, and support a high-performing operations team, promoting accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement
- Support organizational planning and decision-making through thoughtful analysis, communication, and problem-solving
Orchestra Operations & Production
- Oversee the planning and execution of orchestra activities, including concerts, rehearsals, tours, recordings, and special projects, working closely with the Director of Operations and other staff responsible for day-to-day coordination
- Partner with artistic leadership, musicians, the Director of Operations and the Director of Artistic Planning on season planning, season models and operational plans that support artistic priorities and organizational goals
- Oversee orchestra scheduling and venue coordination, including calendaring and venue scheduling processes led by the Director of Operations, ensuring efficient operations and compliance with applicable agreements
- Supervise orchestra library operations and concert production activities
- Oversee stage crew agreement with IATSE, lead related negotiations, and work with the Technical Director to schedule stage crew in a financially responsible manner
- Oversee touring logistics, travel planning, and residency activities in partnership with the Director of Operations and other operational staff
- Maintain strong relationships with venue partners and ensure the successful execution of performance activities
- Serve as the organization's representative as needed during concerts, rehearsals, tours, and special events, including supporting guest artist and Artistic Partner transportation logistics
Orchestra Personnel & Labor Relations
- Serve as the primary management liaison to SPCO musicians, fostering trust, collaboration, open communication and effective problem-solving among musicians, artistic leadership, and staff. Interpret, administer, and support compliance with collective bargaining agreements, labor agreements, and related policies, including participation in collective bargaining negotiations
- Partner with Human Resources, SPCO legal counsel and organizational leadership to address musician relations matters with fairness, consistency, and professionalism
- Serve as a member of the Artistic Personnel Committee and provide management leadership for applicable CBA processes, including tenure review, identification of vacant positions, artistic review, and related orchestra personnel matters
- Partner with the Director of Orchestra Personnel on audition strategy, recruitment of qualified candidates, and related musician selection processes
- Oversee negotiation and administration of overscale agreements, individual musician agreements, and related orchestra personnel arrangements, in partnership with the Director of Orchestra Personnel, as appropriate
- Build and maintain productive relationships with union representatives, labor partners, and SPCO legal counsel
Media, Recording & Rights Management
- Oversee compliance with electronic media, recording, and related rights agreements.
- Support the planning and execution of recording, streaming, broadcast, and digital media initiatives.
- Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to ensure appropriate use of orchestra media assets and compliance with applicable agreements.
- Monitor developments in media and content distribution that may affect orchestra operations and rights administration.
Facilities & Information Technology
- Oversee relationships with performance venues, landlords, facility partners, and related service providers
- Support management of venue agreements, facility operations, and performance logistics
- Provide strategic oversight of organizational information technology systems, vendors, and infrastructure planning, working with the Director of Operations on day-to-day coordination and implementation
- Oversee administrative office space needs, including lease negotiation, landlord relations, and coordination of facility requirements in partnership with the Director of Operations
- Help ensure that facilities and technology resources effectively support artistic, operational, and administrative objectives
- Serve as an SPCO representative in Arts Partnership, including partnership agreements, facility needs, committees, task forces, and related organizational collaboration
Financial Stewardship
- Oversee, develop and/or manage operational budgets for assigned areas of responsibility
- Monitor expenses, evaluate resource needs, and support long-term organizational sustainability
- Balance artistic priorities and operational requirements with sound financial management
- Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, efficiency, and resource utilization
Requirements:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in music, arts administration, business, liberal arts, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in orchestra management, performing arts administration, venue operations, or a comparable live performance environment
- Demonstrated experience leading orchestra operations, artistic operations, concert production, touring, scheduling, or related performing arts activities
- Experience working in a unionized environment and administering and supporting negotiations for collective bargaining agreements
- Strong understanding of orchestra personnel practices and musician relations
- Experience managing budgets and complex operational activities
- Proven supervisory experience, including the ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and navigate complex organizational relationships
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and organizational skills
- Familiarity with music, repertoire, and artistic/orchestral needs
- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and effective decision-making in a dynamic environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Senior leadership experience with a professional orchestra or major performing arts organization
- Experience working with AFM, IATSE, Integrated Media Agreements, or similar labor and media agreements
- Experience overseeing recording, streaming, broadcast, or digital media production projects
- Experience managing performance venues, touring activities, or multi-site operations
- Familiarity with orchestra management, scheduling, production, and administrative systems
- Experience working within a musician-led artistic organization or similarly collaborative artistic environment
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- A collaborative and relationship-oriented leader
- A strategic thinker who can translate vision into effective execution
- An exceptional communicator and skilled negotiator
- A thoughtful and diplomatic problem-solver
- A highly organized manager capable of balancing multiple priorities and competing demands
- A leader who values artistic excellence, operational rigor, transparency, and teamwork
- An individual who embraces collaboration and thrives in a complex, mission-driven organization
Working Conditions
This position requires regular attendance at rehearsals, concerts, events, and meetings, including evenings and weekends. Occasional travel, including touring activities, may be required.
Benefits
- Medical and Dental Insurance with generous employer contributions
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Voluntary Vision Insurance
- Company paid Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability insurance
- Voluntary workplace benefits including Short Term Disability, Cancer Care, Hospitalization and Accident insurance plans
- Workers Compensation insurance
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan (Traditional and Roth options) with 5.5% match for administrative employees
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Sick time
- Free tickets to most SPCO concerts
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. The SPCO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable law.
For best consideration, please apply by July 17, 2026. Position will be open until filled.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
All applicants must submit a cover letter along with a resume for consideration.
