Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society, Inc. – Director of FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

THE POSITION

The Director of Finance and Administration is a senior leadership role responsible for stewarding the financial health and administrative functions of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO). Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, the Director oversees all financial operations, human resources, insurance, IT, vendor coordination, and general office administration.

The Director manages budgeting, forecasting, audits, reporting, cash flow, and financial modeling in alignment with the 2023–2026 Strategic Plan and LACO’s future residency at the Colburn Center, scheduled to open in 2027. The Director also supervises a Finance Assistant and manages contractors and vendors in support of LACO’s internal operations.

The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker and resourceful problem-solver who brings a balance of financial acumen, non-profit experience, administrative expertise, and a supportive, team-oriented leadership style.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Management

• Develop, implement, and monitor financial and administrative policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee cash flow, banking and investment relationships, and ensure proper accounting for pledges, grants, and estate-based gifts.
• Produce timely and accurate monthly financial statements, forecasts, and custom reports.
• Serve as liaison to investment managers and coordinate financial aspects of planned giving.
• Oversee structuring, compliance and financial recognition of multi-year donor gifts with audit-compliant accounting requirements.
• Prepare and submit all audit and tax filings and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Serve as primary contact with CA Secretary of State to maintain non-profit status and ensure the organization remains in good standing.

Budgeting, Planning & Strategy

• Lead development of annual budgets and multi-year financial forecasts.
• Partner with the Executive Director, Finance Committee, and Board Chair/Treasurer on financial planning and monitoring.
• Track performance against budget and recommend course corrections and re-forecasts.
• Collaborate with department heads to generate grant budgets and financial reports for funders.
• Provide financial oversight and modeling related to long-range strategic initiatives.

Audit, Risk & Compliance

• Coordinate annual audit and tax filings; manage auditor relationships.
• Develop internal audit processes and respond to auditor findings.
• Maintain compliance with all grant and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Oversee risk management policies and insurance coverage in collaboration with external brokers.

Administration & Operations

• Ensure compliant and consistent HR practices.
• Oversee payroll and benefits administration (Gusto), employment policies, and personnel records.
• Manage office operations, IT vendor coordination, and general administrative contracts.
• Negotiate and manage operating contracts (e.g., building leases, insurance, maintenance).
• Ensure all artist/contractor agreements meet compliance and insurance requirements.

Board & Leadership Engagement

• Serve as staff lead for Finance and Audit Committees.
• Prepare and present financial reports and insights to Board and senior leadership.
• Support cross-functional leadership as a strategic partner in organizational planning.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five years of nonprofit financial management experience, including accounting, budgeting, and analysis.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in senior or executive roles within nonprofit organizations.
• Strong command of QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Office, Bill.com, and Gusto (or similar platforms).
• Deep understanding of nonprofit audit preparation, financial compliance, and grant reporting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in finance, business, public administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience using PatronManager or SalesForce for revenue reconciliation.
• Experience in performing arts or creative sector organizations.
• Familiarity with government and foundation grant management systems.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• High emotional intelligence and a collaborative, team-focused leadership approach.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Unwavering integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Passion for the arts and belief in LACO’s mission.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range: $125,000–$140,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits include paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off, and other standard employee benefits as outlined in the employee handbook.

TO APPLY

Please submit a detailed cover letter and resume to: info@laco.org. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

ABOUT LACO

LACO ranks among the world’s top musical ensembles. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and has received eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. It has recently assembled a large library of high-quality online offerings to complement live performance. LACO has been proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” (Public Radio International), “LA’s most unintimidating chamber music experience” (Los Angeles magazine), “resplendent” (Los Angeles Times), and “one of the world’s great chamber orchestras”(KUSC Classical FM).

In the course of 35-40 appearances each year, LACO reaches a total live audience of approximately 25,000, with upwards of a million more hearing performances on radio broadcasts nationwide (and streaming worldwide). The Orchestra pursues its mission, “to enrich and connect our community through intimate and transformative musical experiences which exemplify and foster artistic excellence, education and innovation,” through a blend of traditional and innovative programming. An active educational program takes professional musicians into middle schools in some of the least resourced areas of the region.

The LA Times declared: “A shining feature in L.A.’s cultural landscape… [LACO’s] texture is as rich and full as any larger symphony orchestra. What LACO’s size provides is clarity unequaled by any full-sized orchestra.” LACO is also excited to uncover unrecognized orchestral works by composers whose social status or race has not historically engendered the visibility they deserve. LACO concerts are accessible in a variety of communities throughout the county.

The new Director will be part of the management team for this outstanding, respected, and stable performing arts organization and will help guide it in achievement of its mission.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society, Inc. – LACO TEACHING ARTIST

Apply by July 15, 2025

THE POSITION

The LACO Teaching Artist cohort is a vibrant community of composers, performers, and educators who bring music to life for students across Los Angeles County through accessible and engaging music curricula. Selected by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for their artistic excellence and passion for education, LACO Teaching Artists are active professionals who are looking to further their teaching experience and expand their impact within and beyond the classroom. Working closely with the Director of Learning, Teaching Artists will lead students in immersive experiences centered on active listening, collaborative learning, and creative expression. This is an opportunity to inspire the next generation while deepening your own artistic and pedagogical practices. LACO Teaching Artists are not only skilled musicians and composers, but also empathetic educators committed to equity, creativity, and community impact.

Our in-school residencies run in two semesters:

• Meet the Artists (Fall): a repertoire-focused program immersing students in concert repertoire and living composers
• Meet the Music (Spring): a composition-focused program where students create original works and explore individuality

Teaching Artists play a vital role in LACO’s broader learning initiatives, including participating in Family Days and mentoring students from the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) and USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI).

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage with diverse student populations in grades 3-12 with curriculum varying from music appreciation, music history, basic music theory, and music composition
• Must be able to accept a minimum of five (5) classes per semester
• Facilitate hands-on activities in all aspects of music learning and creative expression
• Aid students in creating and arranging a composition of a piece of music approximately 1-2 minutes in length, to be performed at the final culminating concert
• Participate in professional development retreats and lesson planning sessions
• Collaborate with LACO staff, classroom teachers, fellow Teaching Artists, and LACO musicians
• Support student engagement during culminating events and field trips
• Act as ambassadors for LACO’s mission
• Participate in other LACO events and collaborations as Department of Learning representatives

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Music with emphasis in composition or related field
• Minimum of 1-2 years teaching experience or working with students grades 3-12
• Proficient in at least one instrument
• Expertise in using digital composition tools
• Knowledgeable in chamber and orchestral classical repertoire
• Reliable transportation to school sites across LA
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends depending on classes, rehearsals, and events
• Must be able to transport supplies to location and occasionally lift up to 35 pounds
• Must satisfactorily pass a CA DOJ background check to work with LAUSD partners

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• 1,500 USD honorarium
• Teaching Rate: 50 USD / hour
• Administrative Rate: 40 USD / hour
• Professional development opportunities, including:
  • Mentorship with Composer-in-Residence Huang Ruo
  • Targeted workshops for classroom teaching
  • One on one mentorship with Director of Learning
• Complimentary tickets to LACO concerts

All classes and events will be held in-person, some meetings may be virtual.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit the following:

• Resume: outlining both artistic and teaching experience
• Personal Statement: no longer than 500 words
• Work Sample: at least 5 minutes in length, any instrumentation
• Two References: contact information only
• Teaching Sample (optional)

Email your materials with the subject line “Teaching Artist Application” to nichastapanukul@laco.org and include the following in the body of the email.

• Full Legal Name
• Preferred Email (if different from the one you’re sending from)
• Phone Number
• School/Affiliated Organization, if applicable, or: how you heard about this opportunity.

LACO’S LEARNING PROGRAMS MISSION OVERVIEW

At the heart of LACO’s Learning Programs is a commitment to make high-quality music education accessible, engaging, and meaningful for students of all ages in our local communities. We are rooted in the belief that music education should inspire creativity, curiosity, and connection. Our programs are designed to meet students where they are, building musical literacy, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

ABOUT LACO

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through intimate and transformative musical experiences which exemplify and foster artistic excellence, education and innovation.

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1968 as an artistic outlet for the film and record studios’ most gifted musicians. The Orchestra’s artistic founder, cellist James Arkatov, envisioned an ensemble that would allow these conservatory-trained players to balance studio work and teaching with pure artistic collaboration at the highest level. With the financial backing of philanthropist Richard Colburn and managerial expertise from attorney Joseph Troy, who also became the Orchestra’s first president, LACO presented its first performances in the fall of 1969. Since then, the 40-member Orchestra has earned a reputation as one of the foremost ensembles of its kind in the world and has been hailed as “America’s finest chamber orchestra” by respected music critic Jim Svejda of KUSC. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra believes that classical music is a joy to be shared by everyone. Through its Meet the Music program, LACO reaches thousands of elementary school students, most of whom have never experienced a classical concert before, and through Neighborhood Concerts, the Orchestra provides opportunities for new and underserved audiences to develop a love for orchestral music and performance.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society, Inc. – ARTISTIC OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Apply by July 15, 2025

THE POSITION

The Artistic Operations Assistant will support the daily functions of the Artistic Operations Department. This position reports directly to the Manager of Artistic Operations and works closely with the General Manager and Director of Artistic Planning. This role is supportive of LACO’s concert operations and will regularly engage with music director, stakeholders, guest artists, venue personnel, musicians, staff, and other constituents. A background in concert or theatrical production, classical music, and a strong grasp of logistics with a knack for detail and accuracy is preferred. Proactive and resourceful with the ability to anticipate needs, follow through and effectively communicate. Can-do attitude and willingness to take on a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Benefits include paid medical and dental coverage, retirement plan, paid time off, and other standard employee benefits as outlined in the employee handbook.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Concert Production

• Support events as assigned
• Create and distribute production schedules, run of show, house information sheets, production notes, and information for archives
• Draft stage plots
• Coordinate parking for all staff at services
• Manage orchestra hospitality inventory
• Transport equipment to/from services
• Liaise with standard vendors for instrument rental, backline, and cartage
• Support orchestra serves in partnership with stage manager
• Serve as assistant stage manager when requested

Administrative Support

• Create and implement annual marketing plans that integrate print, digital, social, email, OOH, and grassroots tactics.
• Supervise development and execution of all collateral: season brochures, print and digital ads, email newsletters, direct mail, program books, and branded merchandise.
• Coordinate with graphic design and multimedia consultants to maintain brand cohesion across platforms.
• Work closely with the PR firm to amplify earned media and institutional visibility locally, nationally, and globally.

Digital & Content Strategy

• Support General Manager & Director of Artistic Planning with personal and departmental calendaring
• Assemble meeting materials in advance for relevant committees and take minutes as requested
• Manage all catering needs
• Assemble annual musician contracts in collaboration with Orchestra Personnel Manager and Librarian
• Support artistic planning through data entry, reporting, and talent research

Guest Artists and Music Director

• Support travel logistics including ground transportation and hotel reservations, delivery of itineraries and more as needed

LA Orchestra Fellowship

• Support general hospitality, coordination of extra-curricular services, and cross-departmental workflow with the department of learning
• Assemble audition, professional development, and LACO service reports for development department

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Can work weekend and evening hours
• Music or theater background
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Valid drivers license

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Type: Entry level, Full-time

Rate: $22 – $27 per hour

TO APPLY

Please submit a resumé and brief statement of interest to info@laco.org.

ABOUT LACO

LACO ranks among the world’s top musical ensembles. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and has received eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. It has recently assembled a large library of high-quality online offerings to complement live performance. LACO has been proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” (Public Radio International), “LA’s most unintimidating chamber music experience” (Los Angeles magazine), “resplendent” (Los Angeles Times), and “one of the world’s great chamber orchestras”(KUSC Classical FM).

In the course of 35-40 appearances each year, LACO reaches a total live audience of approximately 25,000, with upwards of a million more hearing performances on radio broadcasts nationwide (and streaming worldwide). The Orchestra pursues its mission, “to enrich and connect our community through intimate and transformative musical experiences which exemplify and foster artistic excellence, education and innovation,” through a blend of traditional and innovative programming. An active educational program takes professional musicians into middle schools in some of the least resourced areas of the region.

The LA Times declared: “A shining feature in L.A.’s cultural landscape… [LACO’s] texture is as rich and full as any larger symphony orchestra. What LACO’s size provides is clarity unequaled by any full-sized orchestra.” LACO is also excited to uncover unrecognized orchestral works by composers whose social status or race has not historically engendered the visibility they deserve. LACO concerts are accessible in a variety of communities throughout the county.

The new Director will be part of the management team for this outstanding, respected, and stable performing arts organization and will help guide it in achievement of its mission.