Executive Director Search

Kamloops Symphony Orchestra (KSO) is seeking a forward-thinking, creative, innovative, enthusiastic passionate leader to serve as its next Executive Director. The right candidate will share in the pursuit to continue to develop the KSO into a highly proficient professional orchestra committed to artistic excellence.

Now in its 46th year of operation, the Kamloops Symphony is a fully professional orchestra with an annual operating budget of $1.3 million, a significant achievement for an orchestral music organization in a region of just over 100,000 residents. The Kamloops Symphony is recognized as one of three major local arts organizations, which form the core of a thriving arts community. In the provincial orchestral community, the Kamloops Symphony has become the most active in the interior of BC.

The Kamloops Symphony performs and operates on the lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc, within the Secwépemc’ulucw, the unceded traditional lands of the Secwépemc peoples. KSO wishes to honour the traditional stewards of these beautiful lands and show respect for their vibrant culture that lives on today.

The KSO believes in enriching the quality of life in our region through music, pursuing artistic excellence, caring for their performers and staff, responding to their stakeholders, demonstrating accountability, and are focused on continuous improvement. The KSO is governed by a Board of Directors who are committed to providing the region with classical and pops music of the highest possible quality, with many volunteers who assist the organization with its fundraising activities.

As the major music organization in the Kamloops region, the KSO has been an active participant in community events such as performances at opening ceremonies and other celebrations. The KSO has produced and presented several fully staged productions, beginning with the first staged ballet production of The Nutcracker in 1994, and several musical theatre productions.

An important part of the society's mandate and the Executive Directors’ responsibilities is to provide educational opportunities for the citizens of Kamloops. In 2002, the Kamloops Symphony Music School opened its doors, providing a facility for KSO musicians who had previously been teaching private lessons in their homes. Piano and vocal instruction as well as group music lessons were soon added, and the school continues to grow and develop.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in a highly collaborative partnership with the Music Director, the Executive Director will be responsible for achieving annual strategic, programming, fundraising, and operational objectives. Leading a dedicated and creative staff, the Executive Director will possess an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong vision to successfully create and execute strategic initiatives for artistic and organizational growth, including live and digital programming opportunities.

Ensuring the financial viability of the organization is critical to success in this role. This includes budgetary planning and management alongside the experience of raising funds which will support the KSO’s programs and initiatives. As the principal executive community ambassador, the Executive Director will steward current relationships and partner to develop new opportunities with the goal of deepening donor engagement in KSO’s vision.

As a team builder who values collaboration, the Executive Director will have responsibility for all organizational aspects of Kamloops Symphony. The Executive Director will attract, retain, and inspire staff and board within an organizational culture that prioritizes inclusivity, kindness, respect, equity, communication, accountability, integrity, empathy, and mutual care.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity for a forward-thinking leader who can bring together vision, experience, and passion to support the realization of unique, innovative, and diverse projects and programming. The ideal candidate will be a creative and energetic individual who will help lead KSO into the future.

The Community

Nestled in the scenic Thompson Valley, Kamloops is a vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and outdoor living. With a population of 100,000 people, Kamloops is the second-largest city in the Interior and is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. From its breathtaking scenery to its rich cultural offerings, Kamloops truly has it all.

Executive Director Responsibilities

Reporting to the Kamloops Symphony Board of Directors and working in partnership with the Music Director, the Executive Director will be responsible for:

Leadership

• Collaborating with the Music Director, the Executive Director will articulate and portray a clear vision that demonstrates KSO’s values of excellence, innovation, engagement, and integrity.
• Partnering with the Board, Music Director, and other key stakeholders to develop the strategic plan, while managing tactical initiatives to realize strategic goals.
• Developing with the Music Director and implementing a performance strategy consistent with the Kamloops Symphony strategic plan that supports its unique and varied programming.
• Managing and developing key external relationships with granting organizations, artist agents, community partners, government and agency officials, donors, and senior representatives in the Kamloops cultural community, to foster Kamloops Symphony’s presence as a leading orchestra in Canada.
• Collaborating with the Music Director to ensure there is clear, open communication and coordination between the various artistic, administrative, and operational functions.
• Monitoring the external environment for changes that could affect KSO's success, advising the Board of such changes, and in collaboration with the Music Director developing and implementing appropriate strategic responses.

Planning and Artistic Administration

• Developing and executing an annual business plan for KSO operations in support of the artistic, financial, and public relations objectives, including rehearsal schedules, stage management, local and run-out concerts, program themes and ideas, special events, broadcasts, and audience development.
• Overseeing and implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Musicians’ Union.
• Negotiating and executing venue contracts and renting concert space as required.
• Negotiating contracts for guest artists within budget parameters set by the annual budget.
• Negotiating commissioning fees and details with composers and monitors the progress of new work, facilitating discussions as needed.
• In consultation with the Music Director, seek and obtain new opportunities for performances by the orchestra, including recordings, tours, co-productions, collaborations, and cocommissions.

Financial Stewardship

• Preparing an annual plan and operating budget for KSO for approval by the Board. Ensures the annual plan meets both short-term and long-term objectives and is consistent with the strategic plan and advances KSO’s strategic objectives.
• Collaborating with the Music Director to ensure that the artistic programming supports achieving the KSO’s financial goals and budget, as well as its key strategic objectives.
• Targeting operating surpluses that can enhance the KSO’s financial position and allow for reinvestment in different long-term, strategic initiatives.
• Incorporating a contingency plan to allow the KSO to react in a timely and flexible manner to changing circumstances, while reviewing and monitoring the financial results on a frequent basis to allow for corrective measures where possible.
• Ensuring the Music Director and Board are aware of funding criteria associated with major grants from provincial, federal, and civic agencies; and that grants are spent in accordance with grant guidelines and that reporting requirements are met.
• Preparing monthly financial statements and ensuring accurate accounts and records of expenditures, payables, receivables, and disbursements are maintained.
• Managing and administrating KSO activities in alignment with the strategic and business plans, and budgets approved by the Board.
• Directing the financial and business operations of the organization, including financial planning, control and reporting, annual operating budget, long-range plan, and financial projections.
• Ensuring appropriate internal controls are in place and all financial reporting is prepared with integrity and in accordance with good accounting practices, ensuring that Board-approved policies are followed.

Development

• Monitoring the granting criteria of funding agencies and adapts KSO’s strategies as appropriate.
• Executing and stewarding all sponsorship agreements, acting as the principal KSO contact.
• Maintenance of endowment funds, and fostering productive relationship with the arms-length Kamloops Symphony Foundation.
• Directing advocacy activities at the local, provincial, and federal level. Monitor legislation affecting the KSO and recommend appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
• Facilitating, submitting and staying current on reporting requirements for all grant applications and builds close working relationships with key individuals in these organizations.
• Actively leading KSO’s development strategy and key activities including donor development, donor engagement and fundraising events and activities, with particular focus on development of new major donors through relationship building and engagement.
• Collaborating with the Music Director and Board in managing the relationships with various funding bodies, including ongoing and proactive communications.
• Ensuring that all contributions and other support are acknowledged; and maintaining accurate and complete records of financial contributions, and other support in all fundraising activities.
• Envisioning increases to the fundraising capacity of KSO's donor base including identifying and investigating new funding opportunities.
• Overseeing the organization, promotion, and media coverage of key fundraising events.
• Monitoring granting criteria of funding agencies, adapting KSO’s strategies as appropriate, directs advocacy activities at local, provincial, and federal levels and recommends appropriate action to the Board of Directors.

Marketing & Communications

• Overseeing the marketing and communications functions, building on the loyalty of KSO’s subscriber base; oversees ticket sales operations; monitor sales and track effectiveness of marketing efforts to ensure a positive customer experience.
• Collaborating with the Marketing Coordinator, oversees pricing and marketing strategies to increase both subscriptions and single ticket sales.
• Overseeing all communications, publicity, and media relations to ensure that the KSO is widely promoted and recognized locally, nationally, and internationally.

Education and Community Engagement

• Management of the Kamloops Symphony School, including faculty contractors and capital needs of the school.
• Developing strategies to develop and grow KSO's audiences to reflect the diversity of its Kamloops base and work to ensure the wide reach of its educational and outreach initiatives.
• Increasing KSO's audience outside of Kamloops by increasing its reach through touring, online media, and recording projects.
• Overseeing the design, development, administration, promotion, and evaluation of all education and outreach programs.
• Attending community events, ensuring KSO visibility in the community, and acting as a spokesperson for the organization in the community.

Board Relations

• Establishing a strong and collaborative working relationship with the Chair and Board and participate as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board and its committees as required.
• Meeting regularly with the Chair and reports to the Board as required on strategic initiatives, finance, operations, audience development, fundraising and other areas as required.
• Assisting in the preparation of all materials for board and committee meetings.
• Ensuring that Board minutes are recorded, and all corporate returns are filed on a timely basis.
• Collaborating with the Board to develop and implement governance policies and ensuring the Board is made aware immediately of any concerns which could affect the operations or reputation of the KSO.

Human Resource Management

• Providing exceptional leadership to staff including recruiting, selecting, and supervision as well as conducting regular performance reviews, including adherence to all relevant provincial workplace legislation and KSO’s policies as well as identifying professional development opportunities to improve skills and provide career development.
• Ensuring the hiring process of musicians is following protocols outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• With the Music Director and in accordance with KSO’s values, create a culture of engagement and teamwork between KSO staff and musicians which encourages open, respectful, communications and collaborative working relationships and ensures volunteer resources are used effectively to assist in meeting the KSO’s goals and to make the experience meaningful and rewarding for KSO volunteers.
• Implementing appropriate new and innovative technology and media platforms to support KSO's growth and efficient use of resources.
• Together with the Board and Music Director develop and implement equity, diversity, and inclusion policies and initiatives.

Facility Management

• Overseeing the shared use agreement office space and educational spaces at Kelson Hall.
• Liaising with the City of Kamloops to ensure the facility is well maintained.
• Participating in discussions with co-tenant Western Canada Theatre, to establish rental rates, income generation, and usage agreements for third-party bookings.
• Sitting on committees to advocate for a new Centre for the Arts in Kamloops.

Traits and Characteristics

The next Executive Director of the KSO will have high emotional intelligence, be an exceptional leader who is future focused and embraces change management and organizational growth. The successful candidate will have leadership experience and a demonstrated record of increasing success in the field of music or arts-related non-profit organizations and have an appreciation of classical music.

The Executive Director of the KSO will be a motivated ambassador and will want to build on community relationships as a strong advocate for KSO in a dynamic community. The ideal candidate will be comfortable engaging in conversations that build effective partnerships, raise levels of engagement, and advance innovative approaches to artistic, educational, and community needs.

Embodying integrity and authenticity, the Executive Director will embrace a healthy organizational culture based on collaboration and strategic partnerships. Insightful and resourceful in leveraging financial, human, and technological resources, the Executive Director will be a highly evolved communicator both internally and externally who is skilled at fundraising, advocacy, and government relations.

A highly influential individual who can fruitfully mobilize artistic and social resources, the Executive Director will be an inspirational leader, proven business manager, and skilled relationship builder - with a commitment to exceeding expectations. The Executive Director will bring an affinity for KSO’s mission and vision and a passion to positively impact the organization’s long-term success.

Other key Traits and Characteristics of the role include:

Leadership – Organizing and influencing people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction.
Teamwork and Employee Development – Cooperating with others to meet objectives, while providing resources to the team.
Decision Making – Analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions.
Project Management – Identifying and overseeing all resources, tasks, systems, and people to obtain results.
Negotiation and Diplomacy– Listening to many points of view and facilitating agreements between two or more parties while effectively and tactfully handling difficult or sensitive issues.
Creativity & Innovation – Creating innovative approaches, programming, process, technologies and/or systems to achieve the desired result.
Futuristic Thinking – Imagining, envisioning, projecting, and creating what has not yet been actualized.
External Stakeholder Focus – Anticipating, meeting and or/exceeding stakeholder needs, wants and expectations.
Personal accountability – Being answerable for personal actions.

Compensation

KSO offers a competitive salary with a range of $80,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience. KSO offers a shared cost extended health plan, paid time off and holidays.

Application Instructions

KSO’s Executive Director Search is led by Martin Bragg and Nicola Dawes of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply in confidence, please email your letter of interest and resume to Martin Bragg & Associates at ksosearch(at)mbassociates.ca.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, and all applicants will receive an acknowledgement of their application. The review of applications will begin immediately and the deadline for applications is June 15, 2023. No phone calls, please. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra website at kamloopssymphony.com prior to submitting materials for consideration.

Kamloops Symphony and Martin Bragg & Associates are committed to an open and transparent hiring process and encourage applications from diverse communities. We are committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are unwavering in our pursuit of excellence. We actively and intentionally operate as anti-bias, and anti-racist organizations. As such, we promote policies, practices, and programs that create a dialogue toward mutual understanding. We welcome all applications from women, persons of colour, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.