Orchestra Lumos invites nominations and applications for the position of President and CEO, available in the Fall of 2025. Russell Jones, who has served in the role since 2017, has announced that he will step down at the end of the year. A Search Committee has been formed to identify the next President and CEO and has engaged the Catherine French Group to assist them in recruiting a strong chief executive who will partner with Music Director Michael Stern to lead the continued growth and development of Orchestra Lumos.
The Orchestra
www.orchestralumos.org
Orchestra Lumos brings live symphonic music to nearly 15,000 residents annually across Fairfield County, Connecticut, the most populous county in the state. Formed in 1919 and established as a not-for-profit organization in 1967, the Stamford Symphony was rebranded as Orchestra Lumos in 2022. This change marked the launch of an ambitious plan for growth and a renewed sense of purpose to increase its reach and impact by bringing music to audiences and the many diverse communities of Fairfield County. Uniting the passion of the region’s most talented musicians to create exhilarating artistic experiences, Orchestra Lumos aims to inspire, connect, and strengthen the communities it serves throughout the County.
Orchestra Lumos performs at the 1500-seat Palace Theatre in Stamford and in the 2025-26 Season will also appear at the Quick Center on the campus of Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. The Small Space Series presents musicians in intimate venues throughout the County. Family Fun offers movie, Broadway, and holiday programming for audiences of all ages. Orchestra Lumos partners with a number of Fairfield County community and education organizations to bring music and musical experiences to people in schools, libraries, community centers, hospitals, and rehab facilities. The 2025-26 Season is inspired by the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States; all artists and repertoires are connected to America and will celebrate America’s national treasures.
The Orchestra operates under a collective bargaining agreement with AFM Local 802, the New York Local that also represents Fairfield County. Talented professional musicians from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut come to perform with Orchestra Lumos and to work with Music Director Michael Stern, who has led the orchestra to critical acclaim for the past five years. Solo artists of the highest international stature appear with Orchestra Lumos on a regular basis.
Orchestra Lumos is governed by a Board of 19 community leaders and has a core team of five full-time staff who are supported by five independent consultants with specific concert-related responsibilities. The operating budget for the 2025-2026 season is $2.5 million, of which more than $2 million is supported by philanthropy.
The Opportunity
The next President and CEO will build on the significant work that has so effectively transformed Orchestra Lumos over the past five years. The President will take a leadership role with an Orchestra that is known for its innovative programming and is uniquely positioned to attract the finest musicians in the tri-state area. Working in partnership with a dynamic Music Director, the President will have the opportunity to expand the Orchestra’s reach into Fairfield County and to deepen connections between Orchestra Lumos and audiences from diverse communities throughout Fairfield County.
The President will join an organization that has strong reserves and a track record for attracting philanthropic support. The Board, Music Director, musicians, and staff are aligned in pursuing the Orchestra’s artistic, community engagement, and educational goals. The next President and CEO will provide the strategic leadership that will see continued growth while ensuring financial sustainability and the full participation of key external stakeholders.
The Position
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO provides leadership and vision to ensure that Orchestra Lumos fulfills its mission and achieves its goals for artistic, financial, and organizational success. The President is responsible and accountable for all aspects of the Orchestra’s operations, including: planning; budgeting and financial management; fundraising; audience development; marketing, communications, and public relations; artistic administration and concert production; orchestra relations and collective bargaining negotiations; electronic media; human resource management; education; community engagement; and public advocacy.
The President and CEO is the chief fundraiser for the Orchestra and takes a leadership role in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors to the annual fund, endowment, projects, and special fundraising campaigns. The President provides impetus and support to the fundraising efforts of the Board, and ensures that Orchestra Lumos meets and exceeds its goals for fundraising from all sources. The President assists the Board Chair and Governance Committee in identifying and recruiting prospective Board members throughout the County.
With the Director of Finance, the President oversees the financial management of Orchestra Lumos, including budgeting, financial planning, and cash flow management. The President ensures that the Orchestra achieves its annual and long-term budget goals. The President maintains transparency in financial reporting to internal and external audiences. The President ensures that the Board and its Committees have the timely and accurate information needed to inform their decision making.
The President and CEO is a partner with the Music Director in maintaining an environment that attracts the finest area musicians to Orchestra Lumos and allows them to do their best work. The President recruits, engages, and motivates a high-performing administrative staff who share a commitment to the highest standards of excellence in all aspects their work on behalf of Orchestra Lumos.
The President and CEO oversees the design and implementation of robust audience development, marketing, and communications strategies that build audiences for programs and activities of Orchestra Lumos throughout Fairfield County. The President is the chief spokesperson with local, regional, and national media. The President is the visible representative, spokesperson, and advocate for Orchestra Lumos throughout Fairfield County and the State of Connecticut.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be an experienced senior executive with a deep love of music, a passion for connecting audiences with orchestras, and a track record of success in orchestra management. The candidate will have a thorough knowledge of symphonic music and strong experience working with solo and creative artists across musical genres at a high professional level. The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to be an effective partner with the Music Director, musicians, Board, and staff as they realize a collective vision for Orchestra Lumos.
The successful candidate will be a willing and enthusiastic fundraiser with a track record for achieving and exceeding contributed income goals from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government. The candidate will have the demonstrated ability to design and lead annual fund, endowment, capital, and special project fundraising campaigns.
The successful candidate will be an effective manager of people and projects and will have strong budgeting and financial management skills. The candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate both professionals and volunteers to meet and exceed expectations.
The candidate will have a strong working knowledge of the business of music, including recording, electronic media, and commissioning. The candidate will have experience negotiating and working within a collective bargaining environment and a reputation for fairness and transparency.
The successful candidate will have the ability to oversee the design and implementation of effective marketing campaigns and audience development efforts across multiple communities and venues. The candidate will be an engaged listener and an effective communicator who is able to speak and write persuasively about the value and importance of Orchestra Lumos to Fairfield County. The candidate will have the demonstrated ability to develop, nurture, and sustain positive relationships with patrons, donors, and a diverse range of stakeholders throughout the County.
The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who is creative, energetic, innovative, and curious. The candidate will be a person with integrity and high ethical standards. The candidate will be persistent and persuasive and will have the ability to align differing points of view to achieve a shared goal.
The successful candidate will be able to accept a work schedule that regularly includes concerts and events on nights and weekends. The candidate will live within commuting distance of offices in Stamford, CT, and will work on site no fewer than three days a week.
Compensation
Orchestra Lumos offers a competitive and equitable compensation and benefits package. The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000 annually, plus a generous benefits package that includes paid time off and holiday pay; health insurance; life insurance; and a voluntary 401K retirement plan with an employer match of two percent. The Orchestra will also provide assistance with relocation if needed.
Applications
Orchestra Lumos is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes recommendations, nominations, and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, marital status, or any other basis protected by law. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to complete an I-9 form to verify their identity and employment eligibility.
Please submit a cover letter that describes your specific interest in the mission and work of Orchestra Lumos and your qualifications for the position as described in the candidate profile. Please send this letter with a resumé. On a separate sheet include the names and contact information for several professional references. All applications will be treated as confidential and references will not be contacted without the applicant’s knowledge and agreement.
Electronic submissions are requested. Send to:
Orchestra Lumos – President and CEO
c/o Catherine French Group
2500 Q Street, NW, Suite 623
Washington, DC. 20007
applications@catherinefrenchgroup.com
(Adobe Acrobat PDF attachments only, please)
The position will remain open until filled. The Search Committee will begin to review credentials in early August.
