Vice President of People & Culture

About the Organization

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO), led by Music Director Fabio Luisi, is the premier performing arts organization in the Southwest. Presenting over 150 orchestral concerts annually at the renowned Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, the DSO is committed to reaching diverse audiences with bold classical programming, inventive pops performances, and multimedia events.

Beyond the concert hall, the DSO reaches more than 243,000 children and adults each year through robust education and community engagement programs. With over 200 neighborhood chamber performances annually and programs like Young Strings and Young Musicians, the DSO is a cornerstone of Dallas's 118-acre Arts District—the largest of its kind in the U.S. Learn more at www.dallassymphony.org.

Position Summary

The Vice President of People & Culture is a key senior leader who will champion a workplace culture rooted in equity, inclusion, collaboration, and high performance. This role will oversee all aspects of human resources strategy and operations, culture, including talent acquisition, professional development, compliance, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and performance management. This role also serves on the negotiation team for two Unions.

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this leader will shape the employee experience and help the organization attract, support, and retain a high-quality staff with equity and inclusion in mind. The ideal candidate is a proactive, emotionally intelligent leader with strong relationship-building skills and a passion for fostering a thriving and equitable organizational culture.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment

• Lead and implement inclusive recruitment strategies to attract high-quality, diverse candidates.
• Support hiring managers in job description development, equitable hiring plans, and compliance with best practices.
• Cultivate external talent pipelines and embed recruitment as a shared responsibility across the organization.

Organizational Culture

• Set and lead the vision for a culture of inclusivity, equity, and belonging.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to develop and uphold policies that promote a fair and inclusive work environment.
• Implement and advance action plans with staff engagement at all levels.
• Knowledge of Employee Resource Groups
• Monitor and respond to staff morale and engagement concerns.

Talent Development & Performance Management

• Design and lead performance management systems aligned with organizational values and goals.
• Implement supervisor training focused on effective management, accountability, and employee coaching.
• Serve as a trusted resource for staff regarding HR issues and liaise with external legal and benefits partners when necessary.
• Guide internal conflict resolution efforts and increase staff capacity through training and support.

Benefits & Compliance

• Oversee employee benefits in partnership and partner with the Union committee on the best options
• Ensure compliance with two ERISA defined 403(b) Plans.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure timely, accurate benefits administration and communication.
• Serve as the point of contact for one frozen defined benefit pension plan and represent management on pension committees.
• Ensure compliance with all labor laws, HR policies, and organizational procedures.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:

• 8+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit and/or unionized environment.
• Proven success in talent strategy, staff development, and organizational effectiveness.
• Deep understanding of inclusion and equity principles and how they intersect with culture, leadership, and HR.
• A strategic, solutions-oriented mindset and the emotional intelligence to navigate complex interpersonal and systemic challenges.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Outstanding communication, coaching, and relationship-building abilities across all levels of an organization.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for this role to the link below. No phone calls, please.

Dallas Symphony Association Inc - Job Opportunities

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. 

EOE- Equal Opportunity Employer

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