Executive Director

POSITION PROFILE

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

This is an opportunity to lead one of America’s most distinctive orchestras and one of Louisiana’s most important cultural institutions. The Executive Director will partner with musicians, Board leadership, artistic leadership, staff, donors, volunteers and community stakeholders to shape the next era of artistic excellence, financial sustainability, audience growth, and statewide impact.

The Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief executive officer and strategic leader, responsible for growing philanthropy, advancing the mission, strengthening organizational capacity, expanding community engagement, and ensuring long-term institutional resilience.

The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees and works in close partnership with the Music Director and orchestra leadership.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra stands at an important moment of institutional opportunity.

Building upon artistic momentum, expanding impact, strengthening educational reach, and deepening community partnerships, the organization seeks a leader who can guide the orchestra through its next phase of growth and sustainability.

The next Executive Director will inherit:

• A nationally distinctive governance model
• Strong artistic leadership
• Deep community roots
  Meaningful education initiatives
• Engaged musicians, Board, volunteers, and staff
• A recognized civic role within one of America’s most culturally significant communities

The next Executive Director will play a central role in:

• Strengthening long-term financial sustainability
• Expanding philanthropy and contributed revenue
• Growing earned revenue opportunities
• Increasing audience engagement and participation
• Building statewide visibility and impact
• Advancing strategic planning initiatives
• Strengthening operational excellence
• Positioning the LPO as an essential civic and cultural institution for Louisiana’s future

This role requires an executive who understands and appreciates both the art and enterprise of primarily orchestral but includes all forms of music — someone who combines strategic vision with operational rigor, financial discipline with entrepreneurial thinking, and community leadership with a deep appreciation for artistic excellence.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

The Executive Director will:

• Lead development and implementation of organizational strategic priorities
• Partner with Board leadership, Music Director, volunteers and musicians to advance long-term institutional goals
• Foster innovation while preserving organizational mission and artistic excellence
• Position the organization for long-term sustainability
  Lead organizational planning initiatives
• Identify opportunities for strategic growth and institutional advancement
• Monitor industry trends and evolving audience behaviors

Fundraising and Philanthropy

The Executive Director will:

• Serve as chief fundraiser and lead ambassador
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts
• Expand relationships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual donors
• Support annual, campaign, endowment, and planned giving initiatives
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