Academy Assistant

The Board & Communications Liaison is a pivotal hybrid role that serves as the focal point for governance and executive relations (75%) while maintaining editorial oversight for a key BSO publication (25%). The position provides critical, high-level support to the BSO’s Board of Directors, Board Committees, and the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust. Simultaneously, it contributes to the development and management of compelling content for Overture, the BSO’s bi-monthly program notes publication and additional institutional communications under a consistent, executive voice. 

This role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented, and professional individual who demonstrates the utmost discretion and excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will leverage exceptional administrative precision to support governance, while applying a sharp editorial eye to BSO's public-facing content and cultivating a passion for symphonic music. 

Duties & Responsibilities:  

Board & Executive Support – 75% 

• Meeting Management: Coordinates, schedules, and communicateslogisticsfor all board, endowment, and committee meetings, including related social events.
• Material Preparation:Prepares agendas and compiles comprehensive meeting materials in consultation with the Board Chair, Committee Chairs, and Executive Team members.
• Governance Record-Keeping:Accurately records, compiles, and distributes minutes of all meetings, including attendance. Maintains an organized archive of allboard,endowment, and committee documents and communications.
• Board Relations:Facilitatescommunication between volunteer leaders and the Executive Team. Serves as a point of contact for VIP support (ticketing, benefits, event registration) and ensurestimelydelivery of all preparatory materials to board members.
• Membership & Recruitment:Monitors board membership terms andassistswith renewal/replacement processes. Supports fundraising and recruitment communications, includingBoard pledge billing and acknowledgements,calendarand meeting coordination.
• Executive Administration:Provides focused administrative support to the President & CEO and Executive Team, including managing sensitive correspondence, processing expense reports, and coordinating select travellogisticsas needed.
• Orientation & Training:Assists in new board member orientation, training, and special governance projects.

Communications & Editorial – 25% 

• Production Management:Serves as the Project Manager for the bi-monthlyOvertureprogram notes. Maintains and enforces the production schedule, manages deadlines, and coordinates seamlessly with program annotators, proofreaders, designers, and printers.
• Content Creation:Writes and edits feature articles, artist profiles, organizational blurbs, and executive messages, ensuring consistent BSO voice and brand adherence.
• Strategic Storytelling:Conducts research and interviews to develop context-rich storytelling that resonates with BSO’s diverse audiences and translates institutional messages into compelling narratives from the voice of the BSO leadership.
• Collaboration:Collaborates with internal departments (Marketing, Advancement, Artistic) to ensure copy aligns with institutional messaging and priorities across all platforms.
• Quality Control:Proofreads, edits, and reviews layouts to ensure the highest quality and adherence to BSO style and brand guidelines.

Other Duties 

• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Adapt to changing priorities and support cross-departmental initiatives as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• High School Diplomarequired;Associate’s degreeorBachelor'sdegree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of administrative or executive support experience, preferably supporting executive leadership or a non-profit Board of Directors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of corporate governance and best practices for board relations.
• Exceptional organizational skills, proven ability to manage multiple priorities, anda track recordof meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Highestlevel of discretion and professional confidentiality are essential.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), particularly in creating professional, polisheddocumentsand presentations.
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Journalism, Music, or a related field.
• Experience in editorial management, content creation, orprogramnote writing,demonstratingan exceptional eye for detail and grammar.
• Familiarity with CRM systems (Tessitura preferred) or file-sharing/proof-editing platforms.
• Background and/or a strong interest in classical or symphonic music.

Benefits & Perks: 

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Two low-costmedicaloptions for employees.
• Employer-Paid Insurance: Dental, life, and long-term disability insurance are fully covered by the BSO
• Generous Paid Time Off: Includes ample vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• Financial Wellness & Retirement:
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Exclusive BSO Perks: Complimentary or discounted tickets to BSO performances

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra 

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives, including OrchKids.  

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas.  

In July 2022, the BSO made history with the announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward began his inaugural season in September 2023.  

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras.  

More information about the BSO can be found at www.bsomusic.org.  

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and OrchKids do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, differing physical abilities, genetic information, age, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. 

EEO is the Law: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf