Description

CEO – Shreveport Symphony, Inc. and Shreveport Symphony Foundation

The Organization

As the only fully professional orchestra in Northwest Louisiana, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) stands as a vibrant and essential cultural leader for our community and region. Under the direction of Music Director Michael Butterman, the SSO features a core of 24 musicians, supplemented by talented regional artists who perform on a per-service basis.

Each season, the Symphony presents a six-concert Subscription Series, a chamber music series, and a popular concert lineup that includes a Classic Rock performance, a free Family Concert, and an Annual Discovery Concert for students. Beyond the concert hall, the SSO brings music to life through robust education and community engagement initiatives, reaching thousands of children, seniors, and underserved audiences throughout the region each year. The SSO also proudly serves as the resident orchestra for both the Shreveport Opera and the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.

With an annual operating budget of $1.5 million, the organization is actively working to grow its endowment to $2 million, managed through the Shreveport Symphony Foundation and the Community Foundation of Northwest Louisiana. The SSO is a union orchestra, operating under a long-standing and collaborative collective bargaining agreement with AFM Local 116—a relationship built on mutual respect and shared commitment to artistic excellence.

The Board of Directors includes 28 community leaders, along with musician representatives and ex officio members, including the CEO and Music Director. The staff team, comprised of three full-time and three part-time employees, works within a supportive, family-friendly environment focused on creativity, collaboration, and results.

Position Summary

The CEO is responsible for directing all activities of the SSO, and for the implementation of all policies, procedures and functions set forth by the Board of Directors as well as those set forth by applicable law. The CEO is a primary public spokesperson for the SSO, along with the Music Director.

Requirements

Duties include, working in conjunction with Operations, Marketing, and Development staff members:

Operations Management and Planning

•            Manage and supervise staff.
•            Implement and oversee policies, procedures and legal workplace compliance requirements.
•            Organize and oversee all budgeting and financial management in conjunction with the Finance Committee and Board.
•            Create, develop and maintain good relationships with the musicians of the orchestra and other unions and negotiate the Collective Bargaining agreements in conjunction with the Board

Artistic Planning and Performance

•            Work with the Music Director to plan each season to meet artistic and financial requirements, and patron expectations to retain current patrons and develop new audiences.
•            Seek partnerships and/or collaborations with local groups.
•            Management of all aspects of concert promotion and production.
•            Negotiate and execute appropriate contracts with all musicians, artists, agents, and vendors.

Education and Community Engagement

•            Implement all educational programming in conjunction with Music Director, Musicians, and Staff.
•            Develop and maintain active relationships with K-12 and Higher Education Institutions.
•            Develop Community Engagement programs to introduce new people to the Shreveport Symphony.

Organizational Development and Fundraising

•            Work in Collaboration with Board and Staff to meet or exceed all fundraising goals and objectives.
•            Create, develop and maintain good relationships with SSO constituents and Community
•            Follow and communicate industry trends, new ideas and successes of other symphony orchestras that might be useful to the SSO.
•            Act as a public face of the SSO at donor, stakeholder, and fundraising events and in media relations matters.

Concert Promotion and Earned Revenue

•            Work in Collaboration with Board and Staff to meet or exceed all earned revenue goals and objectives related to ticket sales (subscribers and single tickets) and contracted performances.
•            Develop goals and strategies to reach and develop new audiences

Experience and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required with focus in music or the arts and Masters’ degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years of senior management experience in a non-profit organization, preferably in the performing arts.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range of $100,000-$120,000 plus Health Insurance, Retirement Match Contributions, paid holidays, and a generous PTO allotment.  Possible additional benefits or incentives are also negotiable.

Shreveport Symphony History

Since its founding in 1948, the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has become Louisiana’s oldest continually operating professional orchestra and one of the most respected regional orchestras in the United States.  

In August 2005, Maestro Michael Butterman became the fourth Music Director in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra’s history. Now celebrating two decades of leadership, he has guided the orchestra through a period of exceptional artistic growth and innovation, expanding its reach across Northwest Louisiana while strengthening its connection to the community.

The Shreveport Symphony Orchestra remains in a strong and stable financial position, supported by a long-standing commitment to sound fiscal management and consistent oversight. This culture of responsibility has allowed the organization to sustain artistic excellence, invest in community engagement, and plan confidently for future growth.

The Community

Located where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas meet, the Shreveport–Bossier region serves as the vibrant heart of the Ark-La-Tex—a crossroads of culture, commerce, and creativity. With a metropolitan population of nearly 400,000, Shreveport is Louisiana’s third-largest city, following New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and continues to grow as a dynamic hub for the arts, education, and innovation.

The community boasts a thriving arts scene, with celebrated organizations in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts contributing to a lively year-round cultural calendar. From symphony performances and art festivals to independent galleries and live music venues, creativity is woven into the city’s identity.

With a cost of living 8% below the national average and housing nearly 20% lower, Shreveport offers an exceptional quality of life at an affordable cost. Strategically positioned along the I-20 Cyber Corridor, the region connects to Dallas, Tyler, Ruston, Grambling, Monroe, and Atlanta, serving as a growing center for technology, higher education, and innovation across the South.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Board President Leigh Chambers at chambers.leighanne@gmail.com. Questions regarding the process may also be directed to Leigh Chambers at chambers.leighanne@gmail.com. The search will remain open until the position is filled.