Executive Director

Bring business insight, fundraising skill, and a love of the arts to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra

Join the DuPage Symphony Orchestra

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is seeking an energetic, business-minded Executive Director who believes excellent administration helps great music thrive. This is an opportunity for an arts-loving leader to strengthen a respected community orchestra, expand its reach, and turn strategy into measurable results.

The Executive Director is the DSO’s administrative leader and a key partner to the Music Director, Board of Directors, committee chairs, staff, contractors, and volunteers. The successful candidate will combine sound financial and operational judgment with persuasive writing, relationship building, and enthusiasm for orchestral music and community engagement.

What You’ll Lead

• Development and grant writing: Research funding opportunities; write and submit compelling general operating and project grants; manage compliance reporting; and support annual, corporate, major-gift, lapsed-donor, Board-giving, and planned-giving efforts.
• Business and financial management: Oversee operations and fiscal management, maintain clear audit trails, support annual budgeting, manage risk and insurance renewals, and improve systems and workflows.
• Concerts, events, and programs: Lead end-to-end project management for performances, special events, educational programs, and community engagement initiatives.
• Marketing and audience growth: Shape the annual marketing plan and create effective email, social, digital, press, website, and print communications informed by campaign analytics.
• People and governance: Supervise two part-time staff members and interns, coordinate volunteers and contractors, and serve as the primary administrative liaison to the Board and Executive Committee.
• Community and sponsor relationships: Represent the DSO across DuPage County and beyond, steward donors and sponsors, fulfill sponsorship benefits, and strengthen relationships with patrons, subscribers, schools, media, civic leaders, and cultural partners.

What You Bring

• A strong record of grant research, persuasive proposal writing, submission management, and funder reporting.
• Three to five years of progressive management experience in a nonprofit or performing arts organization; orchestral or music organization experience is highly preferred.
• Business-minded leadership with strengths in strategic planning, project management, budgeting, financial stewardship, and staff and volunteer coordination.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Comfort with ticketing or CRM systems, email marketing, social media and design tools, cloud collaboration platforms, and website content management. Experience with AudienceView, Constant Contact, Buffer, Canva, Google Drive, or Dropbox is a plus.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• A self-directed, highly organized work style and genuine interest in the arts, orchestral music, and community impact.

Position Details

Schedule: Flexible 40-hour work week
Location: Remote work with on-site responsibilities; proximity to DuPage County is strongly preferred for concerts and community events
Reports to: Executive Committee of the Board of Directors

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

Please send the following materials to [email protected]:

• A current résumé that includes your education and arts management experience.
• A personal statement explaining why you are interested in this position and in the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.