Vice President of Technology for Michael Tilson Thomas' New World Symphony, Gehry Building, Miami, FL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The New World Symphony (NWS) has retained Alexander & Krol Executive Search, LLC to manage its search for a Vice President of Technology.

The mission of the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy, is to prepare highly-gifted musicians for leadership roles in orchestras and ensembles around the world through a wide range of performance and instructional activities.

Established in 1987 under the artistic direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, this unique educational orchestra presents a full season of concerts from September to May each year. NWS has been heard in such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, London's Barbican Centre, Paris's Bastille Opera and Argentina's Teatro Colon.  See www.nws.edu for more information about NWS.
More recently, NWS has commissioned renowned architect Frank Gehry to design its new campus in the heart of Miami Beach's Art Deco district.
NWS is now seeking a Vice President of Technology to lead its Technology efforts as it transitions to the new high-tech building and undertakes several ambitious new digital media initiatives.   

The successful candidate will be a proven technology leader with a background in digital media and web technologies, as well as have a strong personal interest in classical music. He/she has managed a medium size IT shop in an entertainment, digital media, or educational environment, providing application, networking and Web access services to +/- 150 people.  He/she will have an excellent track record accomplishing substantial projects with limited resources. We are looking for a unique combination of vision, leadership, intellectual curiosity, pragmatism and hands-on skills.

The VP of Technology will be a key and visible contributor of the executive
staff, reporting to NWS’ President and CEO.  He/she will manage a small IT
staff, including Manager for Advanced Systems and Networking, internet2
Systems Manager and potentially others.

This position is based in the NWS headquarters in Miami Beach, FL and is available immediately.

OPPORTUNITY

This is an exceptional opportunity to become part of a high-profile organization that is using cutting edge technologies to change the way classical music is taught and experienced.

For the right individual, this job could mean not only an exciting career, but a highly rewarding vocation combining work with a personal passion for music. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The VP of Technology is a member of the senior management team.  He/she is responsible for ensuring the successful execution of NWS’ mission through the development and deployment of current and future technology.  He/she leads the organization’s IT strategy formulation and development. He/she is responsible for the implementation of IT objectives and results in alignment with organizational goals and objectives.  Like the rest of his/her NWS peers, he/she is visionary and pragmatic, as well as a hands-on doer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide network and applications support to the NWS staff of 60 people and its 86 fellows.

• Provide and manage programming and technical support for on-going website development and integration with enterprise software (recruitment/alumni, ticketing, development, accounting, etc).

• Provide and manage technical support for the rollout and expansion of the NWS Virtual Library, an online resource of recorded educational and professional development events.

• Direct technical support for all Internet2 initiatives.

• Manage NWS’ IT transition to the new campus, scheduled for completion in mid-2010. 

• Maximize mix of in-house versus outsourced resources and services. 

• Ensure training and progressive organization-wide use of technological innovations and upgrades.

• Create strategic Information Technology Plan supporting NWS initiatives in the new campus, including expanded coaching via Internet2, creation of the Virtual Library, community engagement, new performance formats, and other digital media initiatives, pairing composers and video artists, as well as exploring relationships between sight and sound.

• Strategize, develop, procure, support and oversee all institutional information technologies, including data, hardware, software, networks, imaging, social media and telecommunications.

• Serve as member of the senior management team in charting organizational course and in establishing governance processes of direction and control to ensure that objectives are being achieved, risks are managed appropriately and resources are used responsibly.

• Collaborate with all departments in identifying and securing strategic and practical solutions to operational needs. 

• Stay abreast of new developments in digital media. Continually evaluate their applicability for the NWS.  

• Develop and enforce policies and procedures to ensure security, confidentiality, integrity and functionality of all information, information technologies, systems and intellectual property.  Define and adjust IT standards and technologies while maintaining industry best practices.  Troubleshoot as necessary.  Assess and manage disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

• Develop and manage approved operating and capital budgets for IT systems.  Evaluate alternatives, perform cost/benefit analysis and maximize limited budgets and return on technology investments.  Work with Development Department to identify and secure funding for IT initiatives and needs.  Assist in preparation of grant applications and funding reports.

• Provide visible leadership for NWS within the technology community.  Manage Internet2 relationship and evolution of annual Internet2 symposium. 

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of technology standards, industry trends, emerging technologies and software development. 

• Manage subordinate development and cross-training.

• Establish strategic service provider relationships/partnerships. 

• Cultivate and maintain constructive and professional relationships with NWS staff, fellows and Trustees and other institutional stakeholders.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in computer science or other relevant discipline. Advanced degree and/or major certifications a plus. 

• Ten+ years senior management experience in technology and information systems. Digital media, art, music, entertainment, education background is desirable. 

• Practical hands-on knowledge and experience with major programming languages, platforms, database management, web design and support, software, internet marketing, and business applications.

• Hands-on experience with small office IT infrastructure, including a mix of Lenovo, Dell, HP, SONY and Apple computers, MS Office, SQL Server, Cisco switches, 3Com, etc.

• Tessitura Software (enterprise-wide software system for arts & cultural organizations) experience highly desired. 

• Experience with Internet2 technologies.

• Exceptionally self-motivated and self-directed. 

• Proven leadership and managerial skills. 

• Personal and professional integrity.

• Demonstrated innovative, creative, entrepreneurial, hands-on and problem solving abilities. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to articulate ideas to both technical and lay audiences. 

• Established network of contacts throughout the technology and information systems profession. 

COMPENSATION

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, extensive benefits package, vast intangible rewards.

GRANTS AND PRINCIPAL DONORS

The New World Symphony has been the recipient of many grants for innovation, including groundbreaking support to integrate technology into classical music education and performance from the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the Kovner Foundation, amongst many others.  

ABOUT MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS

Michael Tilson Thomas is Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, Founder and Artistic Director of the New World Symphony and Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Born in Los Angeles, he is the third generation of his family to follow an artistic career. His grandparents, Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky, were founding members of the Yiddish Theater in America. His father, Ted Thomas, was a producer in the Mercury Theater Company in New York before moving to Los Angeles where he worked in films and television. His mother, Roberta Thomas, was the head of research for Columbia Pictures.
Mr. Tilson Thomas is a Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France, was Musical America's Musician of the Year and Conductor of the Year, Gramophone Magazine's Artist of the Year and has been profiled on CBS's 60 Minutes and ABC's Nightline. He has won ten Grammy Awards for his recordings. In 2008 he received the Peabody Award for his radio series for SFS Media, The MTT Files. In 2010, President Obama awarded him with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to artists by the United States Government.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Natasha Krol
Managing Partner
Alexander & Krol Executive Search, LLC
1325 Howard Avenue, # 326
Burlingame, CA 94010
natasha@alexanderandkrol.com
phone 650.759.8252
fax     208.712.0241