Responsible to – The Chair and Trustees
Reporting to – The Chair
Direct reports – Artistic Director (AD), Orchestral Manager, Development and Education Officer, Fundraising Officer, and Finance Officer
Type of position – 2-year FTC, 3 days per week / 0.6 FTE, with flexibility
Location – ESO operates primarily in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The role can be based anywhere in the UK, with regular travel and approximately one day per week in the local area.
Salary – £70,000 pro rata

The Chief Executive (CEO) is the senior executive position in the organisation, responsible for line managing staff members and consultants and is ultimately responsible to the Chair and Trustees for the financial health and sustainability of the orchestra. The CEO is expected to play a leading role in devising the overall strategy for ESO, in discussion with the board, and once agreed, will be responsible for its implementation.

He/she will work closely with the Artistic Director (AD) on player issues concerned with health, morale and well-being.  The annual programme is the direct responsibility of the AD, but it is for the CEO to approve the affordability of the proposals as well as its logistical feasibility.  The AD (as well as the players) will be consulted in the development of the programme and its integration with key educational and outreach components

Strategy

Working in partnership with the Board and AD, the CEO will develop a holistic strategic plan commensurate with available resources.  A staged business plan will underpin this and set key deliverables on an appropriate timeline.

Organisational Leadership

The CEO will line manage all staff and will report quarterly to the Board on progress and will regularly meet with the Chair who, along with the CEO will work to develop the effectiveness and support of the Board in defined areas. 

Fundraising

The CEO will be responsible for developing and implementing the ESO’s overall fundraising strategy, working closely with the Fundraising Officer.  This will include:

• Coordinating and directing the efforts of the AD, Development and Education Officer and Fundraising Officer
• Developing the support of new major trusts and foundations
• Directing and developing the fundraising capacity and activity of the Board
• Acting as the primary point of contact and spokesperson for the organisation to prospective sponsors, business partners and donors
• Working with the AD in nurturing the ESO’s relationship with Arts Council England with a goal of the ESO becoming a National Portfolio Organisation in the next application cycle

Finance

The CEO will manage the Orchestral Manager and the Finance Officer in the day-to-day management of finance. He/she will oversee the preparation of finance reports for trustees, annual accounts and Arts Council financial reports.

The CEO will be responsible, in partnership with the Orchestral Manager and Board, for assessing, developing and implementing systems of financial planning, governance and management, and for overseeing budgeting on both an annual and project basis.

Management

The CEO will be responsible for supporting and developing the ESO’s team, some of whom are currently part time – AD, Orchestral Manager, Development and Education Officer, Fundraising Officer and Finance Officer. This will include annual performance evaluations, supporting personal and professional development and well-being.  He/she will identify staffing needs and either find or divert resources to fill those needs.

Programme

The CEO will agree the programme and programme resources with the AD. He/she will place emphasis on projecting the ESO’s concerts and outreach work in a consistent and holistic way to enhance impact, fundraising efforts, local, regional and national profile.  This will be a joint responsibility with the Marketing Officer, as will the spend on marketing, digital, print and social media.

The strength, clarity and development of the ESO brand will be the direct and clear responsibility of the CEO with the Marketing Officer.

Partnerships

The work will include development of partnerships and residencies with key venues, festivals, concert clubs and local authorities.  The CEO will work to identify commercial opportunities for the ESO including at events and regional occasions.

Musicians

The CEO along with the AD will consult with the core players or their nominated representatives on a quarterly basis (at least) to ensure a positive working atmosphere, encourage creative thinking and address key issues.

Community relations

The CEO will work with the Board, AD and Development and Education Officer to foster strong relationships with community partners and the wider public, and to build enduring support for the orchestra wherever we work.