The Lake Placid Sinfonietta is a professional summer chamber orchestra of twenty top orchestral musicians from across the country. The orchestra traces its roots to 1917, when a small ensemble of Boston Symphony musicians began playing at the Lake Placid Club in the summer. During World War II, a group of musicians from the Rochester Philharmonic and Eastman School of Music built on those roots to form the Lake Placid Club Sinfonietta, which grew into a premier ensemble, performing major works scaled for chamber settings. Since 1983, the Lake Placid Sinfonietta has been a community-supported non-profit that seeks to unleash the power of music to entertain, educate and inspire people of all ages.

Position Summary:

The Lake Placid Sinfonietta seeks a visionary Executive Director to build on the orchestra’s rich history and deep community ties to shape its future as the premier performing arts organization in the Adirondacks. The Executive Director mobilizes the resources, personnel, and operational capacity to deliver a world-class summer orchestra festival that meaningfully engages the local community and also draws people from across the region and beyond.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the Sinfonietta’s chief executive with overall responsibility for development, administrative, and financial operations, and is an integral partner to the board in crafting the strategic vision for the Sinfonietta. The Executive Director embodies the Sinfonietta’s values of joy, excellence, and inclusivity. As an ambassador for the orchestra, the Executive Director builds relationships throughout the community, forging creative partnerships, and raising the visibility of the orchestra.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Vision
- Work closely with the Board to develop a visionary strategic plan for expanding the Sinfonietta’s reach, enhancing its brand, and leveraging Lake Placid as a destination for the arts.
- Lead the implementation of the strategic plan.
- Partner with the Music Director in advancing the orchestra’s long-term strategic and artistic direction.
- Advise the Board of Directors as it sets institutional priorities.
Development and Fundraising
- Serve as the chief development officer of the organization:
  - Oversee and coordinate all fundraising activities of the organization.
  - Leverage and engage the Board of Directors to promote fundraising.
  - Secure financial support from individuals, foundations, government agencies, and businesses/corporations.
  - Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors, including foundations.
  - Create and execute a strategy for stewarding donors.
  - Oversee organization of donor-oriented events.
  - Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation, government, and corporate fundraising.
Community Leadership and Engagement
- Serve as an engaging, public ambassador for the Sinfonietta.
- Develop meaningful partnerships with local organizations, such as schools, churches, and community groups.
- Promote the Sinfonietta as part of Lake Placid’s draw to tourists and summer residents.
- Effectively leverage the Board of Directors to ensure the organization’s visibility and reputation in the community.
- Oversee communications and marketing, including concert promotion.
Operations and Artistic Production
- Manage production of the LPS concert season, including being on-site for performances.
Serve as an advisor and partner to the Music Director.
Oversee contractual arrangements with musicians (including guest artists) as recommended by the Music Director.
Financial
- Prepare an annual budget and ensure the organization operates within the budget as approved by the Board of Directors.
- Ensure accurate bookkeeping and record keeping.
- Report regularly to the Board.
- Ensure effective cost control.
- Develop policies and procedures to ensure financial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Administrative
- Hire, supervise, and evaluate all administrative, production, and operations staff.
- Annually review organizational policies and propose revisions.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations including employment and nonprofit management regulations.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s in Arts Administration or related field preferred
5+ years of experience in non-profit (or similar) organizations with demonstrated leadership experience and/or potential
Proven experience in fundraising and development, including donor cultivation and stewardship
Grant writing experience highly desirable.
Strong communications and interpersonal skills
Experience managing people, resources, and budgets
Passion for and interest in music and the arts
Demonstrated capacity to lead, motivate, and inspire others.
Working knowledge of orchestral music, production, and operations preferred
Ability to direct operations with disciplined budgetary accountability
Entrepreneurial spirit

Compensation:

Salary: $60,000-$70,000, commensurate with experience.
Additionally, benefits include: health insurance, paid time off, professional development support, and retirement benefits.

Location:

The Executive Director is based out of the Sinfonietta’s office in Lake Placid, NY, with options for hybrid and flexible work arrangements.

Reports to:

Board of Directors

Hours:

This is an exempt, full-time position with hours varying based on the needs of the summer orchestra season.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to EDsearch@lakeplacidsinfonietta.org.

The Lake Placid Sinfonietta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants receive equal consideration without regard to age, race, color, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, handicap, or disability. Employees are selected on the basis of their individual qualifications and ability to fulfill the requirements of the job. The same considerations apply to promotions, pay increases, and all other conditions of employment with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta.

Position Summary: