Orchestra & Production Manager

Position Summary

The Orchestra and Production Manager is a key member of the Artistic Operations team and is responsible for the administration and coordination of all orchestra personnel and production activities.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of musician personnel management, including hiring, contracts, scheduling, attendance, and recordkeeping

• Manage musician data and communications through ArtsVision, including calendars, rosters, call sheets, and service records

• Serve as the primary point of contact for musicians regarding schedules, assignments, and personnel matters

• Partner with the Artistic Director, Principal Librarian, and principal musicians to ensure proper instrumentation and roster planning

• Develop and maintain a strong and reliable pool of guest musicians

• Maintain accurate personnel records, including contracts, payroll documentation, and service histories

• Collect and verify payroll-related information (including doubling, cartage, and overtime) and submit documentation for processing

• Monitor and manage the musician hiring budget, preparing cost estimates and reports in collaboration with finance

• Design stage plots in collaboration with Artistic Director and key Musicians

• Monitor and manage production budgets and payables

• Manage Production Coordinator

• Oversee and communicate musician, equipment, and staging needs to Production Coordinator and part-time Stagehands for all CSO services

• Ensure all Production details are communicated with venues in collaboration with Operations and Production staff

• Coordinate and oversee all orchestra services, including rehearsals, concerts, tours, chamber music, fundraising, and education programs

• Ensure proper production staffing

• Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and service parameters, including start/end times, breaks, and overtime

• Prepare and distribute service schedules and ensure all personnel are informed of expectations

• Partner on-site with production and operations teams to ensure seamless execution of all services

• Musician Relations & Communication

• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with core and guest musicians

• Serve as a liaison between musicians, artistic leadership, and administrative staff

• Communicate clearly and consistently with musicians regarding schedules, expectations, and organizational updates

• Provide guidance on personnel matters with professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality

• Support musician participation in education and community engagement programs

• Auditions, Recruitment & Organizational Support

• Coordinate auditions for core and guest musicians, including applications, materials, scheduling, and candidate communications

• Partner with audition committees and support candidate experience and follow-up

• Maintain and expand recruitment pipelines in collaboration with artistic leadership

• Collaborate across departments—including production, operations, marketing, and advancement—to support organizational initiatives and performances

• Provide additional operational and production support as needed to meet organizational priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in orchestra personnel management and/or orchestra administration

• Strong knowledge of orchestral repertoire and the operational needs of a professional symphony orchestra

• Familiarity with ArtsVision or similar orchestral management software

• Familiarity with designing stage plots

• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy when working with musicians and staff

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

• Availability to work evenings and weekends, and to assist with last-minute musician coverage when necessary

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation: Salary up to $60,000 annually

• Benefits: Health insurance, 401(k) matching, three weeks of paid vacation (in addition to holidays), and a comprehensive benefits package

• Schedule: Flexible hours with required evening and weekend availability during performance weeks

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to hr@charlestonsymphony.org.