POSITION SUMMARY:

Vox Femina Los Angeles (VOX), the premier women’s chorus of Los Angeles, has begun a national search for our first Managing Director (MD). Reporting directly to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with the Artistic Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for the overall direction and management of all operational aspects the Chorus.

Now in its 19th season, Vox Femina Los Angeles is comprised of 40 volunteer singing members chosen through an audition process. VOX is dedicated to the performance of distinctive repertoire from the Renaissance to contemporary compositions. Performing three main-stage concerts each year, as well as free community concerts, VOX also demonstrates its support and encouragement of new composers through the commissioning of new works. Through the power of music, VOX gives voice to women, and aims to create a world that affirms the worth and dignity of every person.

It is a very exciting time to lead Vox Femina. The 2016-2017 Season celebrates our 20th Anniversary, and plans are already underway to make it memorable! In its first 18 years, VOX has established itself as one of the finest women’s choruses in the nation. One reviewer has said: “Vox’s choral sound is a lesson in the power of collaboration: individually, the voices are as varied as the women who possess them. But together, the group blends to a texture as fine as silk, from light chiffon to strong as a parachute. All of this makes Vox top-of-the-line among SoCal community-based choirs, and they can easily hold their own with many professional ensembles. The repertoire is deliberately accessible, playing to the broad interests of their devoted audience, but nothing lacks challenge, and it is all sung with beauty and sincerity”. [Review, Laurie’sList]

Additionally, VOX has recently adopted a 2-year Strategic Plan. Part of our success in implementing the Strategic Plan is to hire a talented and professional Managing Director. The successful candidate will be an essential part of a growing and dynamic arts organization.

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR:

Serves as the chief managing officer of the organization while maintaining a visible presence in the community, S(he) will be responsible for providing direct oversight and management of all non-artistic areas. The MD will execute operating strategies and plans, manage administrative staff and volunteers, and establish relationships with local, regional, and national arts organizations;
Defines and executes development strategies, is able to raise financial resources personally, and oversees the activities of the Development Committee to meet the financial goals of the organization;
Develops and executes marketing and public relations strategies;
Manages the day-to-day operations of the;
Maintains and enhances the Vox Femina brand;
Sets the media and community relations strategy of the organization;
Establishes and sustains relationships with constituents, the choral membership, audience members, and donors;
Develops relationships and partnerships with musical, performing, educational, and community organizations to advance the organization’s outreach activities and collaborative partnerships throughout greater Los Angeles;
Executes the vision and strategy of the organization;
Keeps the Board of Directors apprised of all activities, enabling them to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities to the organization.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

The selected individual will have a well-rounded set of competencies that sets him or her apart from others, including:

Being a results-oriented leader with the ability to set, pursue, and reach goals with a can-do attitude;
Demonstrated ability to work with an Artistic Director;
Demonstrated success in fund development, grant writing, and securing contributed revenue from multiple sources, while maximizing earned revenue opportunities. Experience in securing funding from governmental agencies will be essential;
Understanding management and operations, marketing, institutional image building, and external relations, and having the presence and capacity to move initiatives forward in each of these areas;
Having a strong background and experience in planning and executing marketing strategies and programs;
The ability to give direction and guidance, possess the self-assurance and confidence to enforce rules and regulations, but be flexible in order to preserve a positive community brand image and stakeholder satisfaction;
Proficiency with standard computer programs, including donor database software, and electronic communication tools;
Experience in non-profit management, preferably in the performing arts;
Superior interpersonal skills, exceptional writing skills, with the ability to interact effectively with Board, staff, patrons, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and the community in a positive and cooperative manner;
Excellent knowledge of fiscal management;
Integrity and fairness with the highest ethical standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Managing Director, assume responsibility for the organization’s success in the following areas:

Development (approximately 40% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will guide the creation of a comprehensive development program, develop plans that maximize contributed income, and assume a leading and active role in fund-raising in consultation and cooperation with the Board.

Coordinate and execute grant proposals and reports for current donors;
Research, identify, and meet with potential new grantors, then determine best approach to each, including drafting proposals;
Coordinate and oversee two major fund-raising events including the annual Cabaret and Song Cycle Bike-a-thon;
Identify and execute donor relation strategies that will result in developing a broader network of individual donors, the development of a larger major individual donor group, while nurturing the current donor base in order to meet or exceed goals;
Initiate foundation and corporate donor strategies in order to generate, then renew, such gifts and sponsorships;
Maximize additional sources of contributed income and develop additional sources of funding.

Marketing (approximately 20% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will oversee the work of the staff and volunteers to execute a strategic marketing plan to build the growth, reputation, and financial health of the Chorus:

Maintain and enhance the Vox brand to ensure that all marketing and public relations efforts provide consistent presentation of that brand to the public;
Develop and execute direct marketing and social media campaigns;
Nurture positive media relations including identifying and executing opportunities that broaden the Vox brand and mission through exposure in the Los Angeles media outlets;
Oversee development and maintenance of web and print-based materials;
Devise and oversee the execution of strategic marketing plans for all productions throughout the year, in collaboration with the Artistic Director.

Finance and Administration (approximately 10% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will be responsible for the successful operation of the business of the Chorus:

Lead the annual budget process;
Provide regular reporting on the organization’s financial performance and condition;
Ensure that appropriate government filings are completed/submitted when due
Oversee the annual financial review and preparation of Form 990 in collaboration with Treasurer and CPA.
Manage cash flow and accounting activities such as bookkeeping, monitoring receivables and payables, payroll processing, check writing, account reconciliations;
Hire, train, manage and evaluate non-artistic office staff;
Provide direction for volunteers.

Community Relations (approximately 10% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will define the strategy for building and strengthening relationships with the chorus’ key constituencies:

Act as principal contact for the organization to the media, the foundation and corporate community, government agencies, and supporters;
Determine the direction and execute the organization’s community outreach efforts in conjunction with Board and Artistic Director;
Develop ongoing relationships and identify collaborative opportunities with other arts and community/social justice organizations consistent with the mission;
Be an active participant in the local arts/choral community.

Board Relations (approximately 10% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will collaborate effectively with the governing body of the Chorus to ensure the organization defines and meets its mission, financial, and production goals:

Actively participate in all Board meetings as an ex-officio member;
Regularly report on the financial status and business activities of the organization;
Work with the Board to develop and manage the organization’s strategic plan;
Work with Board committees to ensure strategic planning and policies align with the mission and vision of the organization;
Assist in identifying, recruiting and developing new members for the Board of Directors to support the expansion goal of adding 4-6 new board members.

Artistic Administration (approximately 5% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will ensure the successful execution of productions throughout the performance year:

Oversee all aspects of concert production and ticket sales;
Contract with performance and rehearsal venues, guest artists and musicians;
Coordinate licensing of music and other royalties in conjunction with Artistic Director;

Member Relations (approximately 5% of responsibilities) – The Managing Director will ensure a positive and dynamic relationship with the chorus’ members:

Communicate with Chorus membership as appropriate on the organization’s business and activities;
Coordinate preparation of the membership roster;
Work with the Singer Representatives to provide feedback to the Board on membership issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
From five to ten years’ experiencein non-profit management as a managing director or senior manager, or the equivalent in the private sector. Working knowledge of performing arts management is preferred. Areas of interest include:
Successful fund raising from public and private sources to support nonprofit programs;
Effective management, motivation and staff and volunteer leadership;
Financial management including budgeting and performance measurement;
Marketing, public relations, and branding in a non-profit environment;
Working with Boards of Directors.

Passion for the arts as an important part of the community at large;
Demonstrated interest in advocating for women and the support of feminism;
Capability to work in close partnership with the Artistic Director as a peer;
Exemplary communication skills including public speaking and writing, and an ability to build relationships with community leaders, business executives, foundation officials, donors, and the media;
Demonstrated warmth, patience, perseverance, humor, integrity, enthusiasm, people skills, commitment, and an inspirational leadership style.

COMPENSATION

Salary for this part-time (20-hour/week) position will be commensurate with experience. Candidate will work in the office in Culver City, but will travel to events and concerts around the city as needed.
Vox Femina is an equal opportunity employer.//

How to apply
APPLICATION AND INQUIRIES

Email your resume, statement describing why you should be selected for this position (no more than 300 words), three professional references, and any other supporting documents to: jen@voxfemina.org

We are accepting resumes until the position is filled.