Executive Director

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia invites applications for the position of Executive Director.
This is a unique opportunity for a talented, ambitious leader to guide the orchestra’s transition to the next level as it prepares to move to a new Center for the Performing Arts, which is now being built on the College of Coastal Georgia campus in Brunswick, GA.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director provides leadership and organizational management to allow The Coastal Symphony of Georgia to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals for artistic excellence, financial sustainability, audience development, and community engagement. The ED works closely with the various committees of the Board of Directors in carrying out the following specific responsibilities:

 Administration and Finance

• Serve as chief administrative officer; implement all policies and procedures adopted by the Board and detailed in the Bylaws.
• Handle financial operations, including checks and payments, payroll, deposits, contracts, etc., in collaboration with the treasurer and the board’s finance committee and in accordance with the annual budget.
• Coordinate with the Board Treasurer, who supervises the bookkeeper regarding financial statements, IRS filings, audits, and other similar tasks.
• Handle organizational correspondence.

Revenue and Fund Development

• In collaboration with the Board’s Fund Development Committee, meet (exceed!) the annual fundraising goals.
• Organize the annual solicitation of major donors, corporate sponsorships, and program advertisers; organize fundraising events and audience-building efforts; support the planning and implementation of the annual gala event; And maintain and strengthen major donor relationships.
• Maintain/update the master database of patrons, donors, sponsors, and other supporters.
• Prepare and submit new grant applications and grant reports.
• Initiate new revenue streams, fund development ideas, and develop audience-building strategies.

Marketing, Public Relations and Communications

• Serve as the principal public spokesperson for the CSG, representing and promoting the symphony at community meetings, including Chamber of Commerce and Rotary events, and other opportunities to work with civic leaders.
• In collaboration with the Marketing Committee of the Board, develop and implement multiple strategies for promoting and raising awareness of CSG via social media. Maintain various online platforms by regularly updating and refreshing both the website and social media platforms (e.g., Constant Contact).
• Maintain good relationships with the media to ensure timely news release distribution and promote story ideas in collaboration with Board members.
• Handle the design, writing, and production of printed and online materials for concerts and events.
• Engage and supervise marketing/events contractors and other advisors to handle various aspects of the above marketing tasks as needed and as agreed by the board.

Artistic Program Support

• In collaboration with the Music Director, General Manager, and the Board’s Executive Committee, help develop and carry out plans for each season, including four or more orchestral concerts and assorted smaller ensemble music events in the community, balancing artistic goals and financial realities.
• Coordinate concert ticket sales and distribution; arrange seat allocation; design and coordinate printing of concert programs and tickets; oversee volunteer support for events.
• Contract with guest artists and venues, arrange for guest artist transportation and lodging.
• Contribute ideas to the Board on developing additional musical events in the community to raise funds and friends; organize and help staff these events with support from board members.

Education and Community Engagement

• Maintain good relationships with area schools, the College of Coastal Georgia, and education partners.
• Support the Board’s Education Committee in implementing the Musical Mentors program in area schools: recruit and schedule musicians, secure dates with the schools, secure grant money for the program, and send grant reports.
• Support the Board’s Community Engagement Team in implementing occasional free music events as grant funds allow. Foster good relationships with area civic organizations, businesses, and nonprofits to reach new audiences and spur concert patronage.

Board Relations and Governance

• Serve as ex-officio member at all Board and committee meetings; prepare minutes and Board meeting materials, and present reports as requested.
• Present oral report at all Board meetings
• Support Board in developing mid- and long-range goals and strategic plans and identifying potential new members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college as a minimum.
• 3-5 years of leadership and management experience working in the nonprofit sector (for an arts organization is a plus)—strong organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and visual communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in generating new revenue streams and improving financial results via fundraising, donor cultivation, marketing, and public relations.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills, with knowledge of the reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations; detail oriented.
• Computer, digital, and social media fluency and insight. Adept with various platforms, including Excel Spreadsheet, Adobe, and Constant Contact.
• A love of classical music and the ability to communicate persuasively the importance of orchestral music in a community to a wide range of audiences.
• A self-starter with a strong work ethic. Able to work independently while also skilled in collaboration, consensus building, and teamwork.
• Demonstrates integrity and positive energy; is flexible and can handle multiple deadlines with grace and good humor.

Salary range is $40,000 – $60,000 commensurate with experience and education.

The starting date is to be negotiated in early 2025.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send letter of interest and resume to:

Leslie Graitcer, President, The Coastal Symphony of Georgia

204 Cater Street, St Simons Island, GA 31522

lesliegraitcer@me.com

404-375-0579

ABOUT THE COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA AND THE GOLDEN ISLES COMMUNITY

Our Mission:
Our mission is to engage, enrich, and inspire our community through artistically vibrant musical performances and to enhance the quality of life in our coastal Georgia community through exceptional music that is compelling and accessible to all.

Our Organization’s History:
The organization began as a community orchestra and became fully professional in the 1990s; we are celebrating our 42^nd season in 2024-25.  In 2017, Michelle Merrill (former Associate Music Director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra) was hired as our third Music Director and Conductor. CSG offers an annual series of four classical concerts of the full orchestra, plus a variety of smaller music events in the community and a music education program called Musical Mentors in the area schools. The organizational budget is just under $400,000.

The area and the audience:
The Coastal Symphony of Georgia is the only professional orchestra between Savannah and Jacksonville, FL. Our regular patrons come primarily from St Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick, GA, and have made our organization financially sustainable on an ongoing basis. The community is one of the most popular destinations in the state. It comprises families who have been in the area for generations, new retirees drawn to the beautiful and unique landscape and lifestyle of the Golden Isles, and visitors from all over, many of whom visit and decide to stay.