VP of Education and External Engagement

Summary/Objective

Job Description

About the BSO

Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) mission of bringing world-class orchestral and popular music performances to local, regional, and international audiences remains unchanged. Over the past few years, the BSO’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has evolved from an organic approach of creating spaces for diverse artistic expression to a deliberate effort to address the structural and societal barriers to allowing for a convergence of artistic expression within broad historical, economic, social, and cultural contexts.

About the Role

Reporting to the President and CEO of the BSO and working closely with the Executive Team, the VP of Education and External Engagement provides strategic direction and leadership to the BSO's external affairs activities. The position plays a pivotal role in positioning the institution in the community and with public officials in a manner that builds collaborative partnerships with the BSO in a way that furthers its mission and strategic objectives.

Essential Functions of the Role

Local and Regional Relations

• In partnership with the Executive Team, the VP of Education and External Engagement develops strategic direction on developing robust relationships with local, political, civic, artistic, and community leaders. The individual monitors legislative and regulatory matters impacting surrounding BSO communities. This role also coordinates with key stakeholders to update, refine, and implement the BSO’s EDI, education, and community engagement agendas.

Job Specification

• Serves as a strategic advisor to the CEO on stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships across the business and civic community.
• Coordinates the protection and enhancement of BSO’s interests with state and local leaders.
• Monitors, analyzes, and prepares for legislative issues affecting youth development, education, and consults with the Executive Leadership Team to determine the impact on the BSO.
• Elevates the social impact profile of the BSO with key local and state public officials and ensures the visibility of the BSO’s positive impact of children in Boston and beyond.
• Provides communications and/or political advocacy counsel to members of the BSO (i.e., Board and staff).

External Engagement

The person in this role will have the responsibility for advancing the institution’s overarching community outreach and engagement agenda. Serving as the external designee in matters related to community engagement, the person will develop, direct, and manage programs and services designed to create a cohesive BSO infrastructure that supports the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity with our friends and neighbors, locally, regionally, and globally.

Job Specification

• Creates and executes a strategic engagement plan that adds measurable value to the BSO audiences – community members, companies, donors, and community partners.
• Manages infrastructure needed to grow community engagement through advocacy opportunities and implementation of strong stewardship program for all stakeholders.
• Partners closely with the executive team and other BSO stakeholders to ensure advocacy alignment with the BSO’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Develops external engagement strategy to enable the BSO to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences and influencers.
• Functions as organizational leader in fulfilling the vision of cultural relevance for the BSO.
• Provides relevant information to CEO, Executive Team, and as needed.
• The person in this role is a forward-thinking thought leader who will help cultivate relationships, expand opportunities, and deepen the connection with the BSO community by sparking curiosity through programming and focused communication and by providing opportunities for connection to people of all ages and abilities through music education.

Job Specification

• Takes full responsibility for all youth and adult education and engagement programs of the BSO, including planning and implementation.
• Actively seeks opportunities and designs appropriate programs to expand educational offerings.
• Oversees, manages, and evaluates existing education programs and community engagement activities to inform program improvements and support related fundraising initiatives.
• Ensures timely and effective communication of all details of education programs and community engagement activities to appropriate BSO staff, and community and cultural partners for execution by production, marketing, development and partnering.
• Works with the Marketing and Development departments to build programs that effectively support sponsor and donor relationships and maximize earned income (where applicable) and visibility in BSO and the surrounding communities.

Required Education and Experience

Education and Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in liberal arts, music education, or arts administration required.
• Related certifications or other advanced training in similar or relevant fields preferred.

Qualifications

• 10 years of public policy experience, public relations, and/or community affairs.
• Must be able to work effectively with artists, musicians, staff, community leaders and volunteers.
• Possesses thorough knowledge of public affairs and community outreach, as well as extensive knowledge and experience in government relations.
• Possesses a firm grasp of policies and politics associated with youth development, health, education, and workforce at both federal and state levels.
• Demonstrated ability to both develop creative policy solutions and influence legislation to advance BSO’s legislative priorities.
• Possesses outstanding instincts and ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Significant level of interpersonal and communication skills, and ability to lead, communicate and persuade others, and interact effectively with others in difficult situations.
• Sound judgment and integrity; ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters.

Please express interest in this role by visiting our recruiting partner's job posting:

Vice President of Education and Engagement – Diversified Search Group