Description

Title: HEAD OF ARTISTIC PLANNING – THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA

Reports to: President and CEO

POSITION SUMMARY

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts (POEA) seeks a visionary and collaborative artistic leader to help shape the future of one of the world's most celebrated orchestras. Guided by our mission to share the transformative power of music and the performing arts with the widest possible audience, this role serves as a steward of artistic excellence, innovation, and cultural impact.

Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team (ELT), the Head of Artistic Planning is the senior artistic planning executive responsible for advancing the artistic vision, reputation, and global impact of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

As the primary artistic partner to the Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nezét-Séguin and a trusted collaborator with titled conductors and Orchestra musicians, this individual will help create artistic experiences that inspire audiences, deepen community connections, elevate the Orchestra's standing as a cultural leader, and reflect POEA's values of being authentic, exceptional, inclusive, and collaborative. The role provides strategic leadership for artistic planning, touring, recordings, commissions, and major artistic initiatives while balancing artistic priorities.

While the position's primary focus is The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Head of Artistic Planning will serve as an important enterprise-wide partner, collaborating with leaders across Broadway, dance, comedy, education, community and civic impact, audience development, and commercial presentations to advance organizational priorities, foster cross-functional collaboration, and strengthen the audience experience across POEA.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished artistic planner, trusted advisor, collaborative leader, and exceptional relationship builder who can translate bold artistic vision into meaningful experiences that enrich lives, strengthen communities, foster a sense of belonging, and ensure the Orchestra's continued leadership on the world stage.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic Planning and Programming

• Partner closely with the Music and Artistic Director on season planning and repertoire, program development, artistic strategy, and long-range vision.
• Lead annual and multi-year artistic planning for The Philadelphia Orchestra in partnership with the Music and Artistic Director and in collaboration with the Orchestra musicians through the Artistic Advisory Committee and applicable staff.
• Develop subscription seasons, special projects, residencies, and artistic initiatives that reflect artistic excellence and engaging diverse audiences.
• Balance artistic priorities, audience engagement, educational opportunities and financial sustainability in artistic planning and decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for innovation while honoring and advancing the Orchestra's rich artistic legacy and distinctive artistic identity.
• Ensure artistic projects achieve the highest standards of quality, impact, and execution.
• Collaborate and support the execution of major artistic initiatives from concept through delivery.
• Manage and be accountable for the artistic aspects of the operating budget.
• Identify opportunities that enhance artistic leadership, audience engagement, education and community programs, and institutional visibility, and the Orchestra’s global reputation.
   

Artist and Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as a trusted liaison among artistic leadership, musicians, Board of Trustees, various related departments, and organizational stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with artists, conductors, managers, presenters, composers, artistic institutions, and industry partners.
• Represent The Philadelphia Orchestra within the national and international arts community.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, inclusion, and shared artistic purpose across artistic, administrative, and production teams.
   

Touring, Recording, and Commissions

• Develop and implement long-range touring strategies that reinforce the Orchestra's international leadership and cultural influence.
• Lead commercial recording initiatives that expand the Orchestra's reach and artistic legacy.
• Guide commissioning activities and the development of new works, along with rediscovery of overlooked works, that contribute to the evolution of the art form.
• Cultivate relationships with presenters, artists, composers, managers, and industry partners worldwide.
   

Executive Leadership

• Participate fully as a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team (ELT).
• Help drive organizational strategy, planning, and resource allocation as a shared responsibility within the ELT
• Act as a spokesperson for artistic planning and projects to various stakeholders including with the media and in public settings
• Collaborate across departments to advance POEA's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Help shape an organizational culture grounded in our values of being authentic, inclusive, exceptional, and collaborative.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree in Music, Arts Administration, Business, or related field preferred.
   

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible artistic planning and leadership experience.
• Significant experience within a major orchestra is preferred. Experience in other classical music institutions or performing arts organizations will also be considered.
• Demonstrated success in artistic planning, touring, recording, commissioning, and production.
• Experience working with internationally recognized conductors, artists, and creative leaders.
• Proven ability to lead complex artistic initiatives and cross-functional teams.
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Artistic Expertise

• Deep knowledge of orchestral repertoire, instrumentation, and the classical music canon.
• Understanding of contemporary repertoire, commissioning practices, and artistic innovation.
• Knowledge of the international orchestral field and emerging artistic trends, including the landscape of orchestral conductors and artists.
• Appreciation for the unique artistic legacy of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
• Ability to balance artistic tradition with creativity and forward-thinking programming.
   

Relationship Management

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to establish trust and credibility with artists, musicians, trustees, donors, and staff.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and collaborative leadership.
• Strong listening skills and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
   

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Proven long-range planning capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, competing demands, and complex timelines.
• Financial and business acumen with experience balancing artistic aspirations and fiscal responsibility.
• Ability to translate vision into action and achieve measurable results.
   

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic agility
• Collaboration and influence
• Financial acumen
• Accountability and execution
• Change leadership
• Innovation and creativity
• Sound judgment and decision-making
• Organizational stewardship
   

About The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly (POEA) bring together one of the world’s preeminent orchestras with the iconic venues that have anchored Philadelphia’s cultural life for nearly 170 years. As owner and operator of the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and the programming partner for the historic Forrest Theatre, POEA serves as a cornerstone of the city’s artistic and civic identity, welcoming one million people annually to a vibrant constellation of stages across Center City.

Representing both the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and a dynamic roster of resident partners and visiting artists, POEA presents more than one-thousand events annually that represent a wide range of programming, including Broadway, classical, comedy, theater, jazz, dance, and family presentations, reflecting and serving the breadth of the region’s communities. Through innovative programming, robust educational initiatives, deep commitment to diverse communities, and expanding digital platforms, POEA acts as a convener and civic partner—bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and creating an expansive, inclusive future for the arts in Philadelphia and beyond.

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, veteran or disability status.

Employees are expected to be able to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this position, with or without job modification/reasonable accommodation. If an employee believes a job modification/reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources so that a review can be conducted. POEA strives to comply with the accommodation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and other related federal, state, and local laws.