DIRECTOR OF EQUITY

CEO Office

JOB SUMMARY

The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) has been actively engaged in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work since early 2018. After over two years of internal-facing work focused primarily on capacity building and culture change, the SFS developed its first-ever formal DEI Plan in 2020. The SFS saw a significant expansion of DEI work and engagement with the launch of the implementation of the DEI Plan in 2021.

The organization is seeking a Director of Equity to lead all elements of its DEI work, driving the development of the organizations strategy and approach. This individual will play a key role in shaping and stewarding organizational culture, working alongside leadership to center equity in the SFSs brand, culture, and strategy. A collaborator who works across the SFS, the Director of Equity will serve as primary liaison to the SFSs new DEI consultants from Black Womens Blueprint (BWB), manage all elements of DEI Plan development and implementation, lead a number of working groups, and oversee ad hoc projects as they arise. This individual will also bring deep subject matter expertise and experience identifying and implementing best practices to every element of their work.

Reporting to and collaborating closely with the Chief of Staff, the Director of Equitys broad responsibilities include:

Strategy

• In close collaboration with the Chief of Staff, CEO, and BWB, ensuring that equity principles inform and shape the evolution of the SFSs brand, culture, and strategy.
• In close collaboration with the Chief of Staff, CEO, and BWB, taking the lead on developing strategy and approach for DEI work across all SFS internal constituent groups (Board, Orchestra, Staff, Chorus, Volunteers, Ushers, Stagehands) and external constituents.
• Aiding in the development and implementation of strategies and actions intended to create a deeper culture of inclusion and belonging within each internal department and constituent group, and in the organizations external-facing practices.

Operations

• Managing the onboarding of our new DEI consultants, Black Womens Blueprint (BWB) and shaping the trajectory of their work with the SFS, including:
  • Serving as primary internal liaison with BWB
  • Roadmapping the phases of the SFSs work with BWB
  • Planning and executing meetings and other engagements with BWB
  • Supporting BWB in the implementation of affinity groups, operational groups, coaching sessions
  • Providing administrative support to BWB in administering the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) assessment across the organization
  • Planning and executing in-person visits
• In partnership with BWB, leading ongoing evolution and future development of SFSs DEI Plan, and shaping and executing its implementation.
• Leading and participating in currently existing DEI working groups and committees: working with consultants and/or internal group leads to develop agendas, lead meetings, and ensure follow up actions for the following groups:
  • DEI Workgroup
  • Resources Group
  • Communications Advisory Group
  • DEI Toolkit Group
  • Orchestra Group
  • HR Group
• Serving as lead on DEI learning and development:
  • Working with BWB and DEI Curriculum team to develop and implement DEI learning modules for the organization
  • Primary staff liaison to musicians Learning & Development team
  • Working with BWB and musician/Board representatives to develop structured learning and development opportunities for the Orchestra and the Board.
• Overseeing the progress of ongoing and/or ad hoc projects that may arise, collaborating with project leads (if applicable) and other departments to ensure success. Examples include:
  • Plans for internal and external observation of commemorative observances (ex. Black History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.)
  • Rollout of SFSs Community Promise (external facing statement of commitment to working towards becoming an antiracist organization)
• Reporting regularly on SFS DEI work to the Board, the HR Committee of the Board, and the staff.
• Executing administrative tasks associated with SFS DEI work such as scheduling/calendaring, developing agendas, tracking follow up items, etc.

Relationships

• Developing individual relationships across the organization based on trust and connection in service of the organizations DEI work.
• Working with other internal and external partners (ex. Community Engagement team, other ad hoc external consultants, etc.).
• Serving as a trusted partner who provides subject matter expertise across the organization by contributing insights, best practices, and different perspectives.
• Partnering with HR to evaluate and improve recruitment and retention efforts for BIPOC staff.
• Serving as a confidential sounding board and vocal advocate for underrepresented staffs triumphs, challenges, and concerns.
• Monitoring, documenting, and sharing staff experience themes with the Chief of Staff, Senior Director of HR, and CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience in a leadership role that required a deep knowledge base of principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prior experience working with these principles in a professional environment
• Prior experience with organizational culture shift work; ability to work collaboratively to shape and steward organizational culture.
• Experience setting and managing toward equity and inclusion priorities
• Deep knowledge of DEI language, terminology, best practices, and processes, including strong proficiency with engaging on issues of racial equity and systemic racism
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies, build alignment, and lead implementation in multi-stakeholder organizations
• Excellent project management, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines across different areas and departments at one time
• Strong attention to details
• Willingness and ability to both operate at a higher strategic level and to roll up sleeves to make things happen
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive and respectful relationships with internal and external constituents
• Track record of success serving and navigating internal relationships and influencing positive outcomes
• Strong situational awareness; ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information
• Ability to handle stressful situations with calm and composure, and to maintain momentum in the face of challenges
• Ability to prioritize and change course in a fast-moving environment
• Familiarity with the orchestral world a plus
• Strong awareness of current events and social trends
• Proficiency with the MS Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

THE ORGANIZATION

The San Francisco Symphony is widely considered to be among the most artistically adventurous and innovative arts institutions in the U.S. Under the artistic direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Orchestra is a leading presence among the American orchestras at home and around the world, celebrated for its artistic excellence, creative performance concepts, active touring, award-winning recording, and standard-setting education programs. Esa-Pekka joined the San Francisco Symphony in 2020 along with a group of eight Collaborative Partners from a variety of cultural realms who collectively form a new artistic leadership model.

The San Francisco Symphony presents more than 220 concerts and presentations annually for an audience of nearly 450,000 in its home of Davies Symphony Hall and through its active national and international touring. A Cornerstone of the organizations mission, the San Francisco Symphonys education programs are the most extensive offered by any American orchestra today, providing free comprehensive music education to every first- through fifth-grade student in the San Francisco public schools, and serving more than 75,000 children, students, educators, and families annually.

The SFS has won such recording awards as Frances Grand Prix du Disque and Britains Gramophone Award, as well as 15 Grammy Awards.

In 2004, the SFS launched the multimedia Keeping Score on PBS-TV and the web. In 2014, the SFS inaugurated SoundBox, a new experimental performance venue and music series located backstage at Davies Symphony Hall. SFS radio broadcasts, the first in the nation to feature symphonic music when they began in 1926, today carry the Orchestras concerts across the country. In 2021, SFS+, a digital streaming platform, was launched to subscribers all over the world.

The facilities at the San Francisco Symphony are fully accessible and ADA compliant.

VALUES STATEMENT

The San Francisco Symphony is committed to cultivating an environment of inclusion, equity, and diversity for our staff, musicians, patrons, and community. As leaders and innovators of our inherited tradition of orchestral music, we acknowledge our responsibility to identify and dismantle the oppressive barriers that we have historically maintained. We resolve to hold ourselves accountable, devote resources, and embrace change by centering racial equity and listening to and learning from marginalized voices.

We recognize that this is an ongoing, sometimes uncomfortable practice, and continue to learn and evolve. We welcome applicants who are enthusiastic to join us on this journey.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please visit www.sfsymphony.org/careers. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at !hr@sfsymphony.com or you may call us at 415-503-5334.

EEO STATEMENT

In alignment with the values statement above, the San Francisco Symphony celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Pursuant tothe San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the San Francisco Symphony will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.