Executive director

Position Overview

Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven Executive Director to lead our organization and inspire young musicians. CYO transforms lives through the study and performance of contemporary music, exposing students to opportunities in the creative arts.

The Executive Director oversees all operations, engages with staff, Board members, families, students, faculty, and community partners. The ideal candidate combines strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire students and make a lasting impact on their artistic growth.

Who We Are

Contemporary Youth Orchestra (CYO) brings together advanced and intermediate ensembles of musicians ages 10 to 18 from over 40 Ohio schools to study and perform orchestral works by living composers. In a supportive and challenging environment, we nurture both technical skill and creative growth.

In residency at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), our community of staff, volunteers, families, students, and faculty is deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe music connects people and communities, inspiring creativity and collaboration.

CYO has premiered works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composers, commissioned innovative new pieces, and performed at Cleveland’s premier venues. Since 2004, our signature Rock the Orchestra concerts have featured artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, and Chris Thile.

About the position

The Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. The Executive Director has overall strategic and operational responsibility for CYO's staff, programs, and execution of its mission.

Reports to: CYO Board of Trustees, represented by the Board President for day-to-day matters.

Supervises: 1 full-time staff member, 2-3 part-time staff, 7-9 contract faculty.

The position is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and is a hybrid position (approximately two days in office). Hours of work are varied to accommodate the schedule of CYO’s rehearsals and performances. The Executive Director is required to work every Saturday rehearsal during the season from 7:45 am – 3:30 pm, and is required to work at every CYO performance. Weekday schedule is flexible to accommodate Saturday commitment.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development (40%)

• Maintain and/or coordinate strong relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, and government donors
• As appropriate, supervise grant writer to ensure a strong institutional giving program
• Coordinate appropriate donor recognition programs
• Develop planned giving program

Administrative & Management (20%)

• Assure that CYO has a long-range strategy, which achieves its mission and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress
• Manage operational, programmatic, and administrative activities
• Hire, manage, and supervise staff & volunteers, including staff development and feedback
• Establish and cultivate effective relationships with organizational stakeholders
• Ensure a positive and productive relationship with residency host

Board Relations (15%)

• Report to and work with CYO Board to exercise its full governance and service potential, including developing, assessing, and honing CYO’s strategies and plans
• Serve as primary liaison with Board and Board Committees
• Work with the Board President to prepare for and execute successful Board Meetings
• Uphold the bylaws of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Board

Financial Management (10%)

• Prepare the annual budget in coordination with the Finance Committee
• Design and implement financial controls and reporting procedures
• Maintain adequate insurance to protect CYO’s assets and property
• Maintain accurate and complete records of financial contributions
• Oversee completion of annual financial review and tax filings

Community Engagement / Audience Development (10%)

• Develop annual marketing and communications plan
• Oversee marketing, public relations, community engagement, and audience development activities
• Work with staff and Board to develop key marketing messages and build brand awareness
• Ensure website is maintained and updated
• Ensure CYO has a strong, data-driven, and effective social media presence

Concert / Event Production (5%)

• Partner with Music Director to produce successful, mission-centric performances
• Oversee contract negotiations with guest musicians, arrangers, conductors, and production personnel

Please note that this list of functions is not exhaustive. The Executive Director can expect to carry out other duties not listed above.

Qualifications

• Strong background in fundraising and development, particularly with individual donors.
• Proven collaboration and teamwork skills with the ability to effectively work across the Board, faculty, staff, and parent communities.
• Demonstrated ability and experience working with music students and their families.
• A calm, direct communicator who listens and leads with empathy and has a warm and engaging communication style and strong interpersonal skills.
• Proven managerial, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Strong financial management knowledge and skills. Ability to both understand and communicate financial information in a way that supports the artistic and educational goals of the organization.
• Ability to enforce CYO policies as needed.
• Commitment to building relationships with parents and donors.
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in overseeing nonprofit organizations, preferably in the arts and culture sector.
• Proven track record in management and administration, preferably of nonprofits.
• Demonstrated ability to network and communicate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of grant writing and grant application processes.
• Able to work in-person and virtually as required.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Able to efficiently use a computer and Google Suite
• Familiarity with Canva, MailChimp, WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
• Proficient in video conferencing platforms like Zoom

Compensation

Base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress and develop within the role. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, with the salary range offered between $62,000 - $72,000 annually, with the potential for an annual performance bonus. Annual salary will depend on your skills, qualifications, and years of experience. Benefits include a flexible work schedule and environment, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Contemporary Youth Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. It maintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and medical condition to the extent protected by law. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all employment practices, including hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and termination.

Application Procedure: To be considered for this position, please provide the following materials:

(1) Your resume

(2) A cover letter addressed to the CYO Executive Director Search Committee

(3) Two professional references’ contact information (email and daytime phone)

Please email these materials to [email protected], and include “Executive Director Search” in the subject line.

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: $62,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Work Location: Hybrid remote in OH 44106, USA