Executive Director

The opportunity to become the Australian Art Orchestra’s Executive Director comes at an exciting moment of evolution for the organisation. Together with new Artistic Director/s, the Executive Director will shape the future direction of the AAO, informed by their diverse perspectives, experiences, and passion for contemporary practices in music and the arts more broadly.

Working together with Artistic Director/s, the Executive Director is actively involved both in the shaping and building of strategic initiatives as well as leading the delivery and promotion of the artistic program and managing the organisation’s day-to-day operations. The organisation has a mix of funding sources, notably multiyear funding from the Australia Council for the Arts (2021 – 2024), Creative Victoria (2022 – 2025), earned income and the private sector.

The AAO follows a shared leadership model, with the Artistic Director/s and the Executive Director functioning as co-CEOs, working closely together but accountable for discrete areas of work.

The Executive Director is responsible for managing and developing relationships with government funding bodies, foundations, and donors, and raising funds from both government and private sources. The Executive Director is also charged with establishing and maintaining operating systems and processes.

With the exceptional opportunity to work with new Artistic Director/s to develop and execute a strategic plan for the AAO that embraces a diverse and growing community of artists, arts workers and audiences, applications made jointly with prospective Artistic Director/s are welcome.

The Australian Art Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or disability status. The Australian Art Orchestra is committed to equity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from candidates from diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, cultural and regional communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY

• Lead a yearly strategic planning process and review of the AAO business plan in close consultation with the Artistic Director/s, that reflects the organisation’s purpose. • Establish and maintain effective relationships with AAO key stakeholders including government, foundations, corporate sponsors, donors, and program and venue partners. • Development and implementation of a process to measure AAO’s impact • In consultation with the Artistic Director/s and relevant staff, manage the preparation and submission of applications to government bodies and foundations.
• Identify and secure presenters, venues or other partners to build exciting programmatic opportunities to support the Artistic Director/s creative vision.
• Promote the AAO generally, and specifically its program of live productions, pathways and releases.
• With the Artistic Director report to the Board at 6 board meetings per year.

MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

• Established and maintain systems, including contract management of artists, to ensure the smooth delivery of the AAO’s program of activity.
• Manage the administrative requirements, including acquittals, with all key funding organisations, including government, philanthropic and council.
• Negotiate contracts on behalf of the AAO with presenters, venues (including rehearsal venues), musicians and other artists, recording studios, record labels and other third parties in accordance with project templates and/or project budgets.
• Develop annual organisational and project budgets in consultation with the Artistic Director/s • Control, monitor and manage income and expenditure of annual and project budgets. • Manage the end-of-year financial reporting required of the organisation in terms of financial reports for Board approval, ACNC, ROCO and for the annual audit.
• Coordinate the preparation of board meetings including scheduling, the preparation of agendas, minutes, finance report and the maintenance of appropriate records and other duties as directed.

FUNDRAISING, SPONSORSHIP & INCOME GENERATION

• Identify and seek funding and support from a diverse range of sources
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director/s to write and submit grants including the major multiyear grants
• Establish a robust stewardship model that is tailored to AAO supporters and adopted across the organisation.
• Explore commercial avenues for the artistic projects developed and recorded by the AAO ie corporate sponsorship, synchronisation, etc.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

• Develop and implement the AAO’s corporate image, marketing, communications and public relations strategies and content, and ensure all deadlines are met and media response occurs in a timely manner.
• Lead the rearticulation of the AAO’s brand and visual identity.
• Develop strategies to increase and diversify engagement with the AAO’s programs online and elsewhere, locally, nationally and internationally.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Manage organisational and casual staffing including recruitment in consultation with the Artistic Director/s.
• With the Artistic Director/s, provide a safe and positive working environment for all permanent, part time and casual staff.
• With the Artistic Director/s, manage the performance of staff through regularly meetings and designated annual performance reviews.

Please contact Michaela Coventry (Sage Arts) if you wish to apply as a team or have any questions in relation to this exciting opportunity.