Artistic Advisor

**Role overview**

Reporting to the General Manager, Orchestra Victoria (OV GM), and working in close collaboration with our performance partner's Artistic Teams (including Artistic and Music Directors) (AT) on artistic standards, this position will provide expert artistic advice as required. The hours are flexible, may be spread throughout the year by agreement with the OV GM, and will equate to 12 weeks work per annum, with consideration for working with the ensemble between opera and ballet seasons.

The Artistic Advisor is OV's lead artistic role and will provide expert advice to ensure the Company maintains the standards of a world-class pit orchestra as required by its performance partners. To achieve this, the Artistic Advisor will work closely with orchestral management in relation to musician recruitment and performance.

The Artistic Advisor will work closely with the OV GM to ensure OV fulfills its commitments under Service Level Agreements and will collaborate with key artistic personnel from Orchestra Victoria's performance partners. The Artistic Advisor will collaborate with OV management staff and offer repertory advice to create and prepare the orchestra's self-presented programs as per the Company's Strategic Plan.

**Key Responsibilities**

**Artistic Leadership**
- Provide expert artistic advice to the OV GM and relevant staff in support of the Company's strategic objectives;
- In collaboration with OV's Concertmaster and section leaders, provide artistic leadership in musician recruitment processes;
- Provide expert advice to OV management in relation to orchestral artistic standards and the performance management of musicians, in consultation with ATs;
- Attend the Company's Artistic Committee's meetings to provide artistic advice;
- Work closely with the Concertmaster, the senior leadership of the orchestra and OV's management staff with respect to self-presented programs including new performance partnerships;
- Collaborate with key artistic personnel of OV's partner companies:

- to foster these partnerships;
- to discuss artistic personnel and repertoire;
- to liaise with conductors and guest artists in respect of rehearsals and other artistic matters.

**Programming & Outreach**
- Work with management to program self-presented work outside OV's commitments to partner companies as per OV's strategic plan and objectives;
- Provide artistic leadership in the preparation for OV's self-presented activities, including collaboration with industry partners as appropriate;
- Provide advice on proposed artists, programs and composers for OV's self-presented projects;
**Knowledge, skills and attributes**
- Demonstrated reputation as a highly-skilled artistic leader, conductor and/or musician in the orchestral sector;
- Ability to effectively collaborate with multiple industry partners on standards and artistic programming matters
- Demonstrated artistic experience, with in-depth understanding of opera and ballet repertoire
- Extensive knowledge of the orchestral sector and demonstrable interest in innovative programming;
- Skills and ability to establish effective relationships;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to exercise discretionary judgement and handle challenging situations calmly, graciously and constructively;
- Planning and organisation skills and attention to detail at a senior managerial level, including an excellent understanding of working within a budget.

**Selection Criteria**

**Essential**
- Experienced artistic leader, conductor or orchestral musician with outstanding reputation
- Experience in a similar role and exceptional music knowledge, specifically a working knowledge/experience of pit orchestras relevant to OV's mission, vision and future priorities;
- Demonstrated ability to provide artistic advice in a professional orchestra relevant to the maintenance and development of excellence;
- Experience curating programs and repertoire;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, empathically and with sensitivity;
- Ability to meet goals and timeframes, manage multiple tasks to be self-directed, self-organised and work professionally both autonomously and collaboratively;
- An ability to work with the senior leadership of OV and performance partners within the strategic direction of each company;
- Ability to work irregular hours including evenings and weekends, and travel with the orchestra as required.

**Desirable**
- Professional conducting experience, preferably in opera and/or ballet programmes.

To apply, please submit a CV, and cover letter addressing the preferred skills and experience.

**Applications close on Friday 14 April at 5pm AEST