What are the responsibilities and job description for the Orchestra Personnel Manager position at Grant Park Music Festival?
The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a part-time Orchestra Personnel Manager. The Orchestra Personnel Manager is responsible for administering the personnel of the Grant Park Orchestra. This includes application of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), preparation and maintenance of payroll and other records, scheduling of musicians, hiring of substitute and extra musicians, and coordination of auditions.
The Orchestra Personnel Manager will join the Festival's hard-working, collaborative team of 17 year-round staff who are dedicated to bringing Chicagoans together to experience symphonic music outdoors in one of the world’s most magnificent urban settings, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Festival team is deeply committed to serving the people of Chicago through our mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
This part-time position pays $30 - $34/hour, commensurate with experience. Position to begin in March 2026. Typical weekly work hours are as follows:
Timeframe
Typical hours/week
June - August
35 - 40
September - January
3 - 5
February - March
15 - 30, depending on orchestra vacancies and audition schedule
April - May
10 - 15
Important note: The Orchestra Personnel Manager must be present, on-site, for all scheduled Orchestra services, including nights and weekends. Time off from mid-June through mid-August is not a possibility with this position. While not possible during the Festival season and audition periods, the Orchestra Personnel Manager may elect to work remotely during the rest of the year. Due to the demands of this position, including necessary administrative tasks during rehearsals and performances, the most successful candidate will likely not be a member of the Grant Park Orchestra or Chorus.
About The Festival
For more than 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.
The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging HERE.
The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, marital status, familial/parental status, disability (physical and mental), military status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, citizenship or immigration status, unfavorable discharge from military service, order of protection status, credit history, arrest record, conviction record, family responsibilities, and any other classification/characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President & CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.
For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.
The Orchestra Personnel Manager will join the Festival's hard-working, collaborative team of 17 year-round staff who are dedicated to bringing Chicagoans together to experience symphonic music outdoors in one of the world’s most magnificent urban settings, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Festival team is deeply committed to serving the people of Chicago through our mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
- Ensure daily compliance with stipulations of orchestra collective bargaining agreement.
- Manage orchestra audition processes, personnel contracting procedures, and the hiring of substitute and extra musicians.
- Assist with the development of budget projections for orchestra personnel expenses.
- Assist with the development of the audition, rehearsal, and performance calendar for the Festival.
- Accurately calculate and report bi-weekly payrolls for members of the orchestra.
- Attend all orchestra rehearsals and performances; maintain accurate personnel, attendance, payroll and other necessary records.
- Participate as a management representative in the collective bargaining process.
- Three years of experience in professional orchestra/chorus personnel administration required.
- Demonstrated knowledge of orchestral repertoire and instrumentation with an ability to read musical scores.
- Strong computer skills with a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Excel.
- Demonstrated experience administering collective bargaining agreements.
- Strong interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
- Demonstrated discretion in handling confidential personnel matters with prudence.
- Keen attention to detail.
- Ability to work with diverse personalities while maintaining diplomacy and a calm demeanor under pressure.
- Ability to work outdoors at times and possibly in inclement weather.
This part-time position pays $30 - $34/hour, commensurate with experience. Position to begin in March 2026. Typical weekly work hours are as follows:
Timeframe
Typical hours/week
June - August
35 - 40
September - January
3 - 5
February - March
15 - 30, depending on orchestra vacancies and audition schedule
April - May
10 - 15
Important note: The Orchestra Personnel Manager must be present, on-site, for all scheduled Orchestra services, including nights and weekends. Time off from mid-June through mid-August is not a possibility with this position. While not possible during the Festival season and audition periods, the Orchestra Personnel Manager may elect to work remotely during the rest of the year. Due to the demands of this position, including necessary administrative tasks during rehearsals and performances, the most successful candidate will likely not be a member of the Grant Park Orchestra or Chorus.
About The Festival
For more than 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.
The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging HERE.
The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, marital status, familial/parental status, disability (physical and mental), military status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, citizenship or immigration status, unfavorable discharge from military service, order of protection status, credit history, arrest record, conviction record, family responsibilities, and any other classification/characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President & CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.
For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.
Salary : $30 - $34