The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a General Manager to join its senior leadership team. The General Manager reports to the President and CEO. The General Manager is responsible for the planning and execution of all Grant Park Music Festival productions including rehearsals, concerts, neighborhood run-out programs, education and community engagement activities, and electronic media projects.

The General Manager supervises the Education and Community Engagement Manager, the Orchestra Personnel Manager, the Chorus Personnel Manager, as well as the production and artistic operations team. The General Manager works closely with the President and CEO, Artistic Director, Chorus Director, senior staff, musicians of the orchestra and chorus, guest artists, and board members.
 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and administer the overall execution of productions of the highest caliber, ensuring smooth operation and adherence to budgets; oversee the technical elements of productions, including facility booking/rental and scheduling, as well as equipment and instrument acquisition, maintenance, rental, transportation and security; coordinate activities with the orchestra and chorus personnel managers, librarian, and production staff, ensure rehearsals and performances are properly staffed, coordinate arrangements with sound and recording engineer(s) and oversee media projects.
• In coordination with the President and CEO, Artistic Director, and Chorus Director, oversee the scheduling of the Festival’s rehearsals, concerts, and educational activities. Manage the master calendar for the orchestra, chorus, and artistic leadership and ensure service schedules adhere to the requirements of the Festival’s collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure the successful management of, and best possible working environment for, the orchestra and chorus in accordance with their respective master agreement; serve on the Association’s committee for both American Federation of Musicians and American Guild of Musical Artists negotiations; lead regularly scheduled orchestra and chorus committee meetings, and production team meetings; provide supervision to the orchestra and chorus personnel managers, principal librarian, production manager, and assist them with supervision and development of their respective staffs; ensure individual musician contracts, tenure notifications, and related documents are issued and executed in accordance with the Master Agreements; work with the orchestra and chorus personnel managers to resolve any musician issues, complaints or grievances.
• Work with the Director of Finance to oversee the creation and execution of the artistic, production, community engagement and library budgets; reconcile budgets quarterly and report on any variances; mitigate necessary budget changes as needed; manage procurement and inventory of supplies, licenses, equipment and services for operational purposes.
• Coordinate with the Development Department to identify, align and fulfill funding opportunities as they relate to Festival productions; coordinate with the Marketing Department to ensure accuracy in messaging and adherence to brand standards; coordinate with both Development and Marketing departments on projects that require the use of the Pritzker Pavilion and other performance/event sites.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Education and Community Engagement Committee of the Board of Directors, the orchestra committee, chorus committee, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events operations committee; attend board meetings and other such meetings as assigned. Serve as part of the senior leadership team to assist the President and CEO in setting institutional policy and long-term strategic direction.

MINIMUM CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of three years of experience in symphony orchestra management.
• Experience producing symphonic and choral performances at the highest artistic level. 
• Successful history negotiating and/or administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Outstanding communication, management and diplomacy skills.
• Highly self-motivated and goal-oriented with an ability to pay keen attention to details.
• Positive attitude and the ability to work as part of a high-performance team.
• A passion for the performing arts and a strong desire to advance the Festival’s position within the Chicago performing arts community and beyond.

COMPENSATION

Competitive annual compensation, commensurate with experience. Generous benefits package includes three weeks paid vacation, ten paid holidays, four personal days, paid sick leave, comprehensive health, dental, vision insurance (including dependent coverage), life insurance, and 403(b) retirement plan.

THE ORGANIZATION

For more than 80 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago’s summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city’s most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.

The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar, along with Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Stephen Smith.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.