Executive Director
The Nashville Civic Orchestra (NCO) is launching its inaugural 2026-2027 concert season with a mission to engage the Nashville community through high-quality performances, education, and programming that honors great traditions of orchestral music while supporting living composers and emerging artists. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led artistically by its Artistic Director. The Executive Director is NCO’s first full-time hire, taking over the building of the organization’s administrative infrastructure from the Board President.
Responsibilities
Build and manage NCO’s administrative systems, records, policies, and day-to-day operations.
Serve as the organizational point of contact for venues, vendors, contractors, and community partners.
Administer NCO’s digital platforms including Google Workspace, project management tools, and the website.
Support the Board’s organizational compliance requirements concerning contracts, insurance, operational risks and any other areas as assigned.
Develop the annual operating budget alongside the Treasurer and Finance Committee for Board approval.
Manage accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, and cash flow.
Administer Section Leader per-service pay, NCO Fellows stipend disbursement, and any compensation for guest artists and composers.
Lead grant research, writing, submission, and reporting in coordination with the Fundraising Committee.
Develop and manage individual donor and corporate sponsor relationships.
Coordinate development activity with the Finance Committee and Board.
Oversee marketing strategy, website, email, and social media in coordination with the Marketing Committee and social media sub-contractor.
Manage ticketing operations, press outreach, and patron communications.
Ensure that the NCO’s professional-grade brand standards are upheld across all public-facing channels.
Serve as a visible representative of the NCO in the arts, civic, and philanthropic community.
Manage all operational musician communications following Board-approved audition decisions.
Coordinate rehearsal logistics, music distribution, and season scheduling with the Artistic Director and Librarian.
Attend and coordinate venue set-up and tear-down for all NCO rehearsals and concerts.
Administer guest artist contracts, travel, accommodations, and hospitality.
Cook up and coordinate school visit logistics, community partnerships, and Open Dress Rehearsal operations.
Administer the NCO Fellows Program and university partner relationships.
Support all educational outreach initiatives.
Prepare Executive Director report for Board meetings.
Attend Board meetings as a non-voting, ex officio member.
Implement Board decisions and report on progress, keeping the Board President proactively informed.
Engage in and execute long-range organizational planning in conjunction with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors.
Qualifications
3-5 years of nonprofit management or arts administration experience.
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, including grant writing and individual donor cultivation.
Budget management experience with organizational-level financial responsibility.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable as a public-facing organizational representative.
Ability to build systems and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
Genuine passion for orchestral music and its role in community life.
Compensation & Benefits: This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary ranges from USD $70,000-85,000 commensurate with experience. The NCO does not currently offer employer-sponsored health, dental, or vision benefits. The organization is committed to revisiting this as the budget grows.