THE ROLE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

The Executive Director serves as chief executive of the Louisville Orchestra and, together with the Music Director and the Board of Directors, is responsible for its success. Together, they work to execute the Orchestra’s mission, fortify its standing in the greater Louisville region and within the orchestral landscape, ensure the Orchestra’s fiscal stability, and engage the entire community of stakeholders—patrons, donors, musicians, staff, and others to co-create the Louisville Orchestra experience and enable the institution’s forward momentum.

Our next Executive Director will be a compelling ambassador and organizational leader, accountable for managing and developing a team of senior leaders, ensuring that all departments are aligned and collaborate to achieve the artistic vision of the Music Director and stewardship goals of the Board. At present, the Executive Director’s eight (8) direct reports include the Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development, Director of Endowment Giving, Director of Artistic Operations, Director of Marketing, Director of Patron Services, and Director of Strategic Partnerships.  

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

 

In our next Executive Director, the LO seeks a leader with meaningful stature in the arts, significant administrative experience, strong communication skills, demonstrated ability to lead, and a strategic mind to guide the continuous improvement of the institution. The new Executive Director will be a bold leader who is passionate about the LO’s mission, committed to its longstanding standards of excellence, and motivated by its future potential. 

 

The Executive Director must be a highly credible representative of the Orchestra among diverse audiences. Although executive experience in professional orchestra management and administration is desired, candidates with significant executive experience in other types of non-profit organizations, and who have substantial passion for and knowledge of the arts and orchestral music, are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a full-time residence within Louisville/Jefferson County (preferred) or surrounding counties and reside here in Louisville full-time (minus ordinary vacation, family commitments, similar). Leading the Louisville Orchestra is ‘more than a full-time job’—candidates are discouraged from pursuing other contract or similar engagement in addition to this role. While no candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and possess these personal characteristics, attributes, and values:

• A sincere professional and personal commitment to the mission and values of the Orchestra
• Significant evidence of leadership and management success in an organization of similar scope, scale, and complexity
• Creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
• Passion for and proven skills in donor cultivation and fundraising
• Experience managing multiple constituencies, inspiring and coalescing diverse stakeholders toward a common goal
• Proven capacity in effectively leading a senior team; a record of recruiting and retaining diverse talent at all levels; exceptional skill for inspiring, motivating, developing, and empowering staff
• Experience engaging with a board or other governing body
• Demonstrated change management skills
• The capacity to work respectfully and collectively on challenges large and small
• A track record of building strong external relationships
• Ability to set priorities and make hard decisions
• Strong business and financial management skills, and, ideally, experience successfully leading a financially lean institution
• Experience building new revenue streams, whether earned or contributed
• A strong understanding of the classical music industry, presenting organizations, and American symphony orchestras in particular, including their history, current trajectory, mission, and possibilities for the future
• The depth of artistic and musical knowledge required to become a leader and collaborator in the cultural community, and a true partner to the musicians and the Music Director
• A principled commitment to social justice and the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a track record of turning those core values into action
• The sound judgment of a highly ethical and honest individual 
• Clear and persuasive communication style
• A warm, relational, and healing interpersonal approach
• Drive, stamina, and endurance

Applications, Nominations, and Inquiries

Nominations and applications, including CV and cover letter, can be sent electronically, in confidence, to the following: jobs@21cmediagroup.com. Closing date for applications is March 1, 2026.

 

Executive Director Full Description

The Development Membership Manager plays a key role in advancing the Louisville Orchestra’s mission by cultivating meaningful connections that sustain and grow our annual support. This position oversees all membership-based programs that strengthen the Orchestra’s community of donors, including Friends of the LO, the Young Professionals Advisory Board, the Corporate Council, and The Bear Club. Blending strategy, creativity, and hospitality, the Membership Manager designs engaging experiences and benefits that make every member feel valued and inspired. This role drives fundraising goals, deepens relationships, and creates pathways for donors, professionals, and corporate partners to make meaningful investments in the LO’s work. Serving as both a storyteller and strategist, the Membership Manager champions the Orchestra’s vision through thoughtful communication, innovative outreach, and collaborative engagement efforts that amplify our impact and expand our network of supporters.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Program Strategy & Fundraising

• Lead engagement and fundraising strategies for Friends-level, Young Professional, Corporate, and Bear Club donor programs (and other affinity groups as they are created), driving participation and meeting annual goals.
• Work with the Director of Development to present thoughtful and timely requests for funding to each of these distinct membership groups.
• Design and implement giving campaigns (digital (i.e. Give for Good), direct mail (i.e. Holiday Appeal), and in-person) that are creative, data-informed, and mission-driven.
• Analyze donor trends to identify opportunities for growth, retention, and audience expansion within each membership program.

Donor Experience & Stewardship

• Manage all membership benefits and ensure each supporter receives thoughtful communication, personalized recognition, and memorable touchpoints.
• Plan and execute events that bring donors closer to the Orchestra, from backstage moments to curated receptions and unique behind-the-scenes access.
• Serve as a concierge for top-tier donors and members, ensuring seamless coordination and a warm, professional presence at concerts and events.
• Support stewardship tracking, benefit fulfillment, and communications with attention to detail and timeliness.

Creative Engagement & Collaboration

• Partner with Development, Marketing, and Artistic teams to craft inspiring donor journeys and compelling storytelling that highlight the LO’s impact.
• Collaborate on new benefit ideas and experiences that make giving to the Orchestra exciting, accessible, and rewarding.
• Represent the Louisville Orchestra at events and in the community with enthusiasm and professionalism.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, salary requirements, and three professional references to junderwood@louisvilleorchestra.org. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted with further instructions. References will not be contacted until the final round of interviews. No phone calls, please.

Development Membership Manager Description

 

Job Summary: The Assistant to the Music Director is a part-time position that reports to the Director of Artistic Operations to provide critical support to the Music Director.

The Ideal Candidate: The successful Assistant to the Music Director will always maximize discretion and be direct and honest. They will creatively solve problems, anticipate, and remain one step ahead while being diplomatic. The ideal candidate will also be calm under pressure, articulate, results-driven, responsible, and have a sense of humor. This position will manage a wide variety of projects independently and professionally. The ability to work an irregular schedule including nights and weekends will be essential.