THE ORGANIZATION
Unison for the Arts (UA), located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a new and fully-funded start-up organization with the mission to provide young singers from New England with an opportunity to advance their careers through greater public visibility and performance opportunities. Unison for the Arts supports these efforts in two primary ways. The first is a vocal competition that will bring the best and the brightest vocalists to Boston with an esteemed panel of judges. Competition winners will receive significant cash prizes for use in their professional advancement.  The second is to provide select competition participants who exhibit the greatest career potential with artist management support, including marketing, sponsored performances, and possibly representation that promotes them to performing arts organizations, vocal presenters, venues, and artist management firms. 
THE POSITION
The Executive Director will be the entrepreneurial leader of the organization that creates the initial strategic plan, determines the best market opportunity, devises professional artist networking strategies, and defines the overall vision of Unison for the Arts. This includes but is not limited to a) performing an analysis of vocal competitions and artist management agencies that focus on young artists, b) benchmarking best practices in the field, and 3) identifying the market gaps that allow UA artists to excel.  The Executive Director will assess and recommend the most appropriate human and financial resources required to support the strategic plan and will develop a business plan to execute that strategy. Once the first steps are completed, he/she will oversee the launch of the first competition and be prepared to implement best practices in artist promotion and/or representation of a highly visible group of vocalists.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Create and Manage the Organization
Develops the strategic plan with short- and long-range initiatives that establish specific, measurable, attainable, reviewable, and time-sensitive (SMART) goals and objectives for the organization. Determines appropriate resources needed to effectively implement the business plan. Creates and builds the brand of a new organization with a multi-faceted mission – a vocal competition and artist promotion. Implements the business plan in support of the mission, vision, and strategic direction. Actively seeks out and initiates contacts with potential donors/sponsors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, in support of the competition and artist promotion. Develops, monitors, and maintains fiscal responsibility for the overall budget and ensures the most effective use of the organization’s financial, human, and technological resources.
Organize the First Vocal Competition
Manages all aspects of venue selection, coordination of appropriate judges, marketing of the process to enter the competition, competitor logistics, and other components as needed. Interacts with, and stays abreast of developments in, the regional arts and culture community, particularly related to the education and advancement of post-baccalaureate vocal talent. Develops marketing and public relations programs and tools (i.e. web presence, social media, systems infrastructure) that achieves participation in the inaugural competition.  Creates a memorable inaugural competition experience, and those thereafter, for participants and audiences alike.
Build Artist Performance Opportunities
Provides support to best build, grow, and utilize the talents and resources of competition winners and top performers.  Develops partnership agreements with arts and community organizations, artist managers, venues, presenters, and other organizations to advance artists and collaborative efforts throughout the region.  Reaches out to the performing arts industry regularly to promote UA artists regionally, nationally, and internationally.  Serves as the public face of the organization at various community events and represents it in a manner that builds its reputation, credibility, and standing in the broader vocal and performing arts communities. 
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
A passion and commitment to vocal music and to advancing the careers of promising vocalists. An entrepreneurial spirit with the capacity to create and execute a plan, inspire an organizational vision, and work independently in achieving results. Industry knowledge and established connections in the field. Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate strong, compelling, and visible messages that inspire the participation in and support of the organization.  Personable, energetic, and highly credible with the knowledge of how best to develop strong and effective partnerships that generate enthusiasm and commitment for vocal talent. Capability to bring together, motivate, and lead others in creating and guiding a high profile vocal competition and artist promotion organization.
Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the following competencies, including:

• Interpersonal & Industry Networking Skills – Initiates and develops relationships in positive ways. Successfully works with a wide range of people at varying levels to create a new and impactful organization. Communicates with others in ways that are clear and inspiring. Demonstrates ease in relating to a diverse range of people who could most effectively advance the careers of young vocalists. 
• Customer Focus & Flexibility – Consistently places a high value on both young vocal talent and on the people and organizations that will present their artistry. Objectively listens to, understands and represents the feedback of leaders in the vocal arts field, anticipates artistic and customer needs and develops appropriate solutions.
• Goal Achievement & Results Orientation – Establishes goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable. Identifies and implements required plans and milestones to achieve specific artistic and public visibility goals. Stays on target to achieve results regardless of obstacles.
• Self Management – Independently pursues objectives in an organized and efficient manner, prioritizes activities, maintains level of activity without direct supervision and minimizes disruptions to complete high quality work on time, on budget, and with clarity of mission and vision.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
At least 7-10 years of experience creating and/or working in a performing arts organization, acclaimed vocal competition, artist management agency, or other similar entity.  Bachelor’s degree required and graduate degree in marketing, management, performance, arts education, and/or arts administration or a related field highly desirable.  Demonstrated track record of working to successfully cultivate community relationships, strategic partnerships, industry networks, and visibility.