Chief of Staff

Summary/Objective

Job Description

About the BSO

Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the foremost orchestras in the world. The BSO is committed to bringing world class music and performances to local and international audiences. The key to our success remains our employees from the musicians onstage to those behind the scenes.

With a history spanning over a century, the BSO serves as a cultural cornerstone in the city of Boston and beyond. The institution continues to inspire and engage audiences through its exceptional performances, innovative programming, initiatives for transformative EDI, and educational outreach.

About the Role

The Boston Symphony Orchestra seeks a highly accomplished and mission-aligned executive to serve as Chief of Staff. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, this pivotal leadership role is designed to function as the CEO’s principal partner, providing strategic counsel, operational leverage, and organizational coordination at the highest level.

The Chief of Staff is responsible for maximizing the CEO’s effectiveness by overseeing enterprise-wide initiatives, aligning cross-functional leadership efforts, and stewarding strategic communications, execution, and decision-making. This is a high-trust, high-impact role requiring sound judgment, discretion, and a deep understanding of institutional complexity. The ideal candidate brings strong executive acumen, political savvy, and a record of driving outcomes within mission-driven organizations.

Key responsibilities Associated with the Role

Strategic Partnership & Enterprise Leadership

• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO, helping shape and advance enterprise-wide strategy and institutional priorities.

• Anticipate the needs of the CEO and proactively manage information, people, and projects to ensure clarity, momentum, and results.

• Operate as an extension of the CEO, representing their voice, priorities, and decisions with consistency, judgment, and authority.

• Represent the CEO in select internal and external engagements to advance strategic relationships and institutional goals.

• Partner with the executive team to source, synthesize, and present data that informs CEO decision-making and crafts compelling institutional narratives.

Strategic Planning and Execution Management

• Lead the planning, alignment, and execution of the BSO’s strategic plan in partnership with the CEO and executive leadership team.

• Translate strategic goals into departmental action plans with measurable performance indicators; ensure accountability for follow-through.

• Lead post-project and seasonal retrospectives to capture lessons learned, strengthen cross-departmental coordination, and inform future planning cycles.

Executive Operations and Special Projects

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the executive office, including the office’s operating budget, ensuring the CEO’s time, resources and energy are aligned with institutional priorities.

• Lead and manage complex, high-visibility projects and initiatives from design through implementation.

• Provide connective tissue across departments, ensuring information flows, dependencies are managed, and goals are integrated.

• Draft, edit, and finalize written materials, presentations, and spoken remarks originating from the Executive Office, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with organizational priorities; develop original content or source materials in collaboration with other departments as needed.

• Participate in CEO’s meetings with direct reports to ensure continuity, redundancy, and visibility across priorities.

• Lead executive team meetings, planning meetings, and meetings with the CEO’s direct reports as needed.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with conductors, orchestra members, and guest artists on behalf of the Executive Office.

Stakeholder Management and Strategic Communication

• Craft executive-level communications and presentations for the Board of Trustees, Advisory Council, funders, staff, and external audiences.

• Facilitate high-stakes meetings, retreats, and briefings that require cross-functional collaboration and strategic alignment.

• Maintain trusted relationships across the organization and with external partners to advance the CEO’