Executive Director

Brazos Valley (Bryan/College Station, Texas) Symphony Executive Director Search

The Brazos Valley Symphony is a non-profit performing arts organization with the mission to maintain a symphony of high artistic standards, and to promote the musical arts for cultural and education purposes in the Brazos Valley.

With an annual budget in excess of $850,000 and an endowment over $ 1M, the orchestra typically performs each year six subscription concerts; two children’s concerts; a Holiday Brass and Choir Concert; and a three-concert, open air, chamber music Summer Series that is free to the public.

The Brazos Valley area is a unique community centered on Texas A&M University and the cities of Bryan and College Station. In recent years, the area has experienced considerable economic and population growth, along with increased cultural offerings to a highly sophisticated audience.

The Brazos Valley Symphony Society serves as the administrative body for the Orchestra and is governed by an elected Board of Directors. Members of the Society are those patrons and businesses who make annual financial contributions to the organization. The Society is an affiliate of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, a member of the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras, and of the League of American Orchestras.

The Society also houses a dynamic symphony guild, the Friends Association of the Symphony Orchestra (FASO) that offers financial as well as logistical support to many of the Symphony’s fundraising activities. With the assistance of the Symphony office, FASO also coordinates the two annual Children’s Concerts and the Brazos Valley Symphony Youth Concerto Competition.

The orchestra employs a full-time music director, a full-time executive director, a full-time orchestra manager, a part-time office assistant, a part-time orchestra operations employee, a part-time bookkeeper, and a part-time orchestra librarian.

Executive Director Search

The Brazos Valley Symphony (BVSO) is seeking a visionary, dynamic, collaborative, and strategic leader to become the Orchestra’s new Executive Director. The prospective executive director will show a proven track record of establishing solid community relations, an unquestionable ability to increase the organization’s financial resources, and highly developed interpersonal and communication skills. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for all aspects of the Symphony’s administration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Besides the fundraising and community building requirements described above, the executive director is expected to provide leadership in the following areas:

• Marketing and Resource Development: Including coordination of all fundraising activities, actively seeking outside grant opportunities, oversee ticket sales and annual fund drives, develop and oversee audience building initiatives, and coordinate all marketing and public relations communications including development of season brochures and individual and concert playbills
• Fiscal Management: Including budget development, management of the financial resources of the Brazos Valley Symphony including maintaining internal controls necessary to ensure operational and fiscal integrity, and negotiating and executing concert hall leases and related equipment as needed.
• Human Resource Management: Including contractual negotiations with guest artists based on recommendation of the Music Director, oversee hiring of musicians based on recommendation of the Music Director.
• Other Responsibilities: Representing the Symphony to the community, maintain collaborative relations with the other arts organizations in the community, and serve as an ex-officio member of the Board.

The Executive Director will also work with the BVSO’s Music Director to assist in the implementation of the organizations’ artistic goals. It is imperative that the executive director establishes a trusted close relationship with our orchestra representatives, our musicians, our office personnel, and Music Director.

Title: Executive Director

Organization: The Brazos Valley Symphony Society 501(c)3.

Job Type: Full-Time, Full-Year

Salary: $70,000 – $85,000

Benefits: monthly stipend of $436.25 to be applied toward the executive director health insurance, flexible schedule approved by board president, and professional development opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications and/or Experience: Proven track record of establishing solid community relations.

• Proven track record of establishing solid community relations.
• Extensive executive and development experience.
• Solid financial and budgeting experience.
• Unquestionable ability to increase the organization’s financial resources.
• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills.
• Reputation for strong work ethic and for building a welcoming work environment.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience managing nonprofit organizations including fundraising/development, budgeting, and financial management.
• Experience with donor relations.
• Transparency and high levels of integrity.
• Detail oriented and instills high levels of professionalism in all facets of the organization.
• Ability to navigate high-pressure situations in a calm and confident manner.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Quicken.
• Ability to produce to the board detailed reports including graphs and charts as needed.
• Appreciation for the arts, music, and cultural activities.
• Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Will accept work schedules that include evenings and weekends.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

The Brazos Valley is a region located in Central Texas that includes Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Madison, and Robertson counties. The area is known for its natural beauty, with rolling hills, lush forests, and scenic rivers.

The community in the Brazos Valley is diverse, with a mix of rural and urban areas. The region is home to several universities, including Texas A&M University, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the state. As a result, the area has a vibrant and dynamic energy, with a strong focus on education and research.

In addition to its academic strengths, the Brazos Valley is also known for its agricultural heritage. The area is a major producer of cotton, corn, and cattle, and is home to several large agribusinesses. The local economy is also supported by a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.

The community in the Brazos Valley is welcoming and friendly, with a strong sense of pride in its traditions and culture. Residents enjoy a wide range of recreational activities, from hiking and fishing to shopping and dining. The region is also home to several annual events, including the Texas Renaissance Festival and the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo.

Overall, the Brazos Valley is a beautiful and vibrant region with a rich history and strong sense of community.

How to Apply

Please combine in a single PDF file the following files: 

a) letter of intent describing qualifications

b) an up-to-date resume

Submit the requested material by email to careers@bvso.org  Please include in the subject line: BVSO Executive Director Search