Posted: 29-May-25
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia
Type: Full Time
Salary: starting at $100,000
Preferred Education:
ABOUT THE WSO
The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO) recently celebrated its 95th Birthday, making it one of the oldest symphonies in the United States. The symphony offices are housed adjacent to the Capitol Theatre, where the WSO performs the majority of its concerts. Anyone familiar with the WSO’s work will attest that the musicianship of the orchestra is remarkably high. This is owing primarily to two factors. First, the core contract musicians are also the principal players for the Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet, with which the WSO coordinates scheduling each year. Second, there is remarkable loyalty among the contract players, most of whom have played with the WSO for at least a dozen years. The WSO is a professional regional Group 5 Orchestra as determined by the League of American Orchestras and operates a $1.6 million annual budget.
Under the artistic direction of the WSO’s music director, John Gennaro Devlin, the WSO has committed to showcasing American music and living composers while also honoring time-honored classical music. Maestro Devlin’s primary artistic goal is to advocate for American music from many different types of genres and creators.
For more information, please visit our website https://wheelingsymphony.com
ABOUT WHEELING AND THE OHIO VALLEY
From its initial prominence as the western terminus of the National Road, Wheeling is a city rich in history, architecture, and art. Over the decades, Wheeling has experienced eras of great prosperity and eras of economic stress. The abiding truth, however, is that the generosity and affection of its citizens have endowed the city with a wealth of civic institutions nearly unparalleled in a community of our size. Wheeling boasts a municipal park system second to none; outstanding schools, public and private; and a cost of living far more reasonable than other metropolitan areas. Located in verdant West Virginia hills, many of Wheeling’s neighborhoods are oases of community and safety. Yet, we are located less than an hour from downtown Pittsburgh, with its world-class symphony, a wide variety of museums (from Carnegie to Warhol), a vibrant restaurant scene, and perennially competitive sports franchises and venues. The Pittsburgh International Airport is a 40-minute drive from anywhere in Wheeling.
In recent years, Wheeling has undergone a dramatic transformation of its downtown area by repurposing historic industrial and retail structures as lofts, residences, and new restaurants, with millions of dollars in investment. This year, the City of Wheeling is also completing a multi-year, multimillion-dollar streetscape rehabilitation project, which includes new sidewalks, planters, trees, landscaping, and paving. The revitalization of downtown proceeds apace, with new infrastructure projects designed to accommodate the influx of a vibrant new populace. For more information about Wheeling, here is a link: https://weelunk.com/live-here/
The Ohio Valley is a region in the northeastern part of the United States, primarily encompassing parts of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. The Board of Directors has adopted a three-year (3) year Strategic Plan to cover 2025 to 2028 that calls for the expansion of the WSO footprint beyond Wheeling into various other cities in the tri-state areas of Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This expansion would include, but not be limited to, St. Clairsville, Steubenville, Ohio, Weirton, Parkersburg, Canaan, New Martinsville, WV, and Washington, PA.
Those of us who live here love the fact that we do, and we take pride in welcoming new recruits to enjoy our superior quality of life.
ABOUT THE WSO MUSIC DIRECTOR – JOHN GENNARO DEVLIN
In 2019, the WSO welcomed its Music Director, Maestro John Gennaro Devlin, following a nationwide search. Maestro Devlin is an ardent champion of American music, an innovator of concert design, and a thought leader in the field of classical music. Currently in his sixth season as Music Director of the WSO, Maestro Devlin is only the ninth conductor in its 95-year history to hold that title.
For his work with the WSO, Devlin was named a recipient of the 2023 Georg Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award. Also in 2023, Devlin was honored by Wheeling’s mayor, Glenn F. Elliott, with the Mayor’s Award for “distinguished service, loyalty, and dedication to our city.” For its commitment to American music, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra was granted the prestigious Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Award through the League of American Orchestras in both 2023 and in 2025.
With the WSO, Devlin continues to pursue these types of innovative concert designs, including the reimagining of live performance during two years of pandemic-affected programming. For its success in this type of adaptive concertizing, the WSO was given the 2022 West Virginia Governor’s Award for Resiliency in the Arts.
Maestro Devlin is co-chair of the Conductor Constituency Group of the League of American Orchestras, advocating for conductors nationally. In 2020, Devlin, alongside fellow conductors Ankush Bahl, Anna Edwards, and Enrico Lopez-Yañez, launched Everything Conducting, a cost-free, inclusive website where conductors can learn, share, and advance their craft. The project includes a vast online article database and the UpBeat Podcast hosted by Devlin and Lopez-Yañez, Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony.
Maestro Devlin is an American conductor of Italian and Irish heritage. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in orchestral conducting under the tutelage of James Ross at the University of Maryland School of Music. As an undergraduate student, Devlin attended Emory University as a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar, graduating summa cum laude with a double major in Clarinet Performance and Latin.
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT – ALICIA JORDAN
Thank you for considering the role of Executive Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO). This is an extraordinary opportunity to join an orchestra that is renowned for its artistic excellence, remarkable versatility of musical styles, and adventurous programming. Having just celebrated its 95th year, the WSO is poised to expand its footprint into the larger Ohio Valley, comprising large parts of West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. We are excited about the future of the WSO, which is augmented by a multimillion-dollar citywide investment in infrastructure, including new roads and sidewalks, commercial and residential development and renovations, new restaurants, and a new large, tourist welcome center located within walking distance of the historic Capitol Theatre where the symphony performs. I invite you to bring your vision, leadership, and passion for music to this pivotal role. Together, we can create this next chapter for the WSO. Thank you for considering this exciting opportunity to join the WSO.
Job Title and Description: Executive Director
The Executive Director is responsible for managing the human and financial resources of the WSO to achieve the orchestra’s mission. To that end, the Executive Director is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the organization and for implementing the policies set by the Board of Directors. Executive directors set the tone for organizational operations, formulating and carrying out policies and programs related to administrative, budgetary, staffing, fundraising, community activities, and patron/donor relations. This position reports to the Board President.
A variety of action-oriented, interpersonal, and intellectual competencies are required for this position, including, but not limited to the following:
- Ability to plan and organize, take decisive action and drive results
- Ability to communicate information, build relationships and influence others
- Ability to apply technical knowledge, interpret technical or complex information and analyze problems, and think creatively to develop strategies and solutions
- Demonstrate leadership ability; team-building skills and training/teaching skills
- Ability to manage office staff and directors
This is a full-time, exempt position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning
- Execute the current 2025 to 2028 Strategic Plan.
- Assist and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for the orchestra that support the artistic, financial, and public relations objectives of the organization.
- Develop and implement current and long-range administrative and personnel planning to ensure that the organization is effectively structured and staffed competently.
Board of Directors
- Advise the Board on matters within the Executive Director’s scope of responsibilities to promote the efficient operation of the orchestra and delivery to the public, services that the Wheeling Symphony, Inc. is to provide.
- Attend all meetings of the Board and Executive Committee; prepare and present written reports for each Board and Executive Committee meeting and for other committee meetings as required. Ensure that meeting minutes of the Board and Committee meetings are recorded, filed, and distributed as appropriate.
- Provide a written Mid-Year and Year-End report.
Fundraising and Development/External Relations
- Ensure effective communication with the constituencies of the Wheeling Symphony Society, Inc. such as volunteer groups, other arts organizations, public agencies, government agencies, and the general public.
- Proactively promote current and new fundraising activities, including annual fund drive, corporate sponsorships, special events, endowment campaigns, planned giving program, and the identification and cultivation of donors in conjunction with the Director of Development.
- Ensure that all contributions and other support are acknowledged as may be required by law and as is otherwise appropriate; maintain accurate and complete records of financial contributions and other substantial support.
- Act as ambassador for the Wheeling Symphony Society, Inc. by participating in key community engagement activities and partnerships with businesses, public institutions, and other non-profit organizations.
Artistic Administration
- Form a productive and professional working relationship with the Music Director.
- Work with the Music Director in the selection of guest artists, guest conductors, performing groups, and programs to support the WSO's financial goals and strategic plan.
Concert Support
- In consultation with the Music Director, develop a timely plan for orchestra operations, including rehearsal schedules, local concerts, program themes and ideas, guest artists, special events, and audience development. Direct implementation of the strategic plan.
- The executive director is required to attend all concerts and fundraising events.
Finance
- Ensure that accurate books of accounts are maintained; maintain bank accounts as directed by the Board.
- In conjunction with the Finance Committee, prepare and submit for approval annual operating budgets. Monitor and authorize expenditures in accordance with approved budget; prepare updated projections based on actual income and expense activity.
- Ensure preparation of monthly financial statements for Board review and approval. Review and approve accounts payable and receivable.
- Provide information as needed for the annual audit.
Administrative/Staff and Director Management
- Provide day-to-day management support, direction, and motivation for the office staff to ensure that the staff is appropriately focused and led to achieve the expected business results. The office staff currently includes three full-time employees: a Director of Development, a Director of Foundation and Government Relations, and a Customer Relations Manager, as well as three part-time employees comprising marketing, graphic design, and operations.
- Recruit, select, and supervise administrative staff. Promote, discipline, and terminate in accordance with legal requirements and Board policy. Evaluate staff performance as needed, but at least annually, in writing. Maintain personnel files.
- Prepare and revise job descriptions, employee handbook, and employment policies.
- Maintain all payroll and benefits records for administrative and artistic staff
- Ensure that all employer responsibilities are met and that the organization is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.
- Purchase equipment, supplies, etc., according to budget and approved procedures.
- Maintain documents according to legal requirements and/or Board policies and procedures.
- Maintain adequate insurance to protect the orchestra’s assets/property.
Musicians
- Assist Music Director and Personnel Manager in hiring of all musicians; negotiate and execute individual contracts according to approved budget and policies set by the Board.
- Serve as principal staff spokesperson/liaison to the orchestra for policy issues and non-artistic matters.
- Coordinate all aspects of auditions.
- Assist and support the Board in negotiations with the bargaining unit for WSO musicians.
Education
- Together with the Music Director, Development Director, Education Coordinator and Education Committee, recommend to the Board appropriate education initiatives and implement them.
General
- Keep abreast of activities and developments in the orchestra field; advise the Board of matters that may be helpful to promote the orchestra’s objectives.
- Carry out additional duties as assigned by the Board President.
- Attend community events.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work with people of a wide variety of ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and musical knowledge.
- Ability to work productively under pressure, and to prioritize and manage multiple short and long-term projects simultaneously
- An energetic, diplomatic, and professional demeanor, strong attention to detail, and proven ability to problem solve
- Computer proficiency including MS Office (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Standing, walking, bending, and the ability to lift up to 35 pounds if needed.
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle.
- Available to work nights and weekends
- Positive, entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on, detail-oriented mentality;
- Proven leadership role(s) in past employment.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The starting salary is $100,000.00 and includes health insurance and retirement contribution to a 403(b) plan.
LOCATION
This position is in Wheeling, West Virginia
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and resume. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the successful candidate has been selected.
To apply for this position, please email resumes@wheelingsymphony.com