Orchestra Manager

Would you like to stand at the heart of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and help ensure wellbeing, quality, and strong artistic results—every single day?

The Aalborg Symphony Orchestra is recognized for its artistic excellence and dynamic programming. Founded in 1943, the orchestra today consists of 65 full-time musicians. We are based on Aalborg's waterfront in the award-winning concert hall at
Musikkens Hus
—one of the Nordic region's largest and most striking concert venues.

Our core activity is the
Thursday symphonic concerts
, featuring Danish and international soloists and conductors. In addition, we perform opera and ballet with the Royal Danish Theatre and Den Jyske Opera, film concerts, and cross-over projects with artists from other genres. We also run a strong children's and youth programme that brings music to audiences of all ages across North Jutland.

Since 2023, the American conductor
Joshua Weilerstein
has served as Chief Conductor, while
Michael Schønwandt
is our Honorary Conductor.

A note from the Music Director

Here in North Jutland—surrounded by beautiful nature and in a region with high cultural ambitions—we are entering an exciting period. As
Orchestra Manager
, you will play a central role on the leadership team, with responsibility for the orchestra's day-to-day operations and for the professional development and wellbeing of our 65 musicians.

Together with me as Music Director, you will help set the cultural and human standard for the orchestra—creating a working environment marked by respect, collaboration, and support, which in turn forms the basis for musical results at an international level.

We are looking for an empathetic, structured, and inspiring leader who cares deeply about both people and music.

–
Catharina Roos Bilsbak, Music Director

About the role – leadership with people at the centre

As
Orchestra Manager
, you report to the Music Director and work closely together to ensure wellbeing, quality, and smooth daily operations.

Your responsibilities include:

• Building trust and strong relationships with both musicians and administration.
• Being visible, approachable, and the daily point of contact for the musicians.
• Following up on professional development, health and safety, wellbeing, and the working environment (HSE).
• Ensuring compliance with agreements and collective bargaining arrangements.
• Taking an active part in meetings with committees and union representatives.
• Recruiting musicians in collaboration with the Music Director and HR.
• Planning staffing, including the use of substitutes and extra players.
• Handling development reviews, personnel matters, and leave requests in collaboration with the Music Director.

Who you are

We are seeking an Orchestra Manager who:

• Leads with empathy and motivation.
• Communicates clearly and builds trust and engagement.
• Has solid experience within leadership, HR, and the working environment.
• Understands employment law and has experience navigating collective agreements, local arrangements, and applicable legislation on health and safety, equal treatment, and data protection (GDPR).
• Appreciates the importance of legally correct documentation and case handling in personnel matters—and balances this with a respectful, human approach.
• Brings experience from the orchestral world and deep insight into its specific culture and working conditions.
• Keeps a simultaneous focus on wellbeing and artistic quality—and understands how the two go hand in hand.
• Has financial understanding and experience with budgeting.
• Works strategically and holistically—and thrives in a complex environment with many stakeholders.
• Handles conflicts constructively and solution-oriented.
• Is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Is fluent in a Scandinavian language and in English—both written and spoken.

We offer

• A permanent full-time position based at
  Musikkens Hus
  —one of the Nordic region's landmark concert halls—on Aalborg's waterfront.
• Close, trust-based collaboration with the Music Director and the wider team.
• The opportunity to join an organization with a high artistic profile, strong traditions, and a strong sense of community.
• A workplace where wellbeing, quality, and development go hand in hand—and where you will have significant influence on the orchestra's daily life and future development.
• Salary and terms by agreement.

The position requires daily on-site presence and flexibility regarding evening and weekend events, and some travel can be expected.

Apply

Please send your motivated application and CV by
15 November 2025.

For further information, you are welcome to contact
Thomas Bælum
, Partner at Kompetent, on

or