As of the beginning of 2026, New Music Chicago is looking to hire in two roles: a Managing Director and Bookkeeper. More information on both roles are below:
Managing Director Roles and Responsibilities
Hours: 25-30 hours per month
Modality: Flexible, remote (Chicago residency preferred)
Compensation: $25-30/hour, commensurate with experience
Start Date: c. May 2026
Reports to: Board of Directors
Works with: Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeper, Board of Directors, volunteer committees
About
New Music Chicago (NMC) seeks a part-time Managing Director to oversee its regular operations and programming.
NMC is a membership-based organization that supports and creates opportunities for Chicago-based contemporary concert music. We are a passionate and diverse network of composers, performers, and ensembles, with over a hundred and fifty registered dues-paying members, ranging from students and emerging artists to established professionals. NMC affords its members greater mobility and increased visibility and collaboration through aggregated online promotion, networking, and professional development opportunities. As a presenter, we feature our members with performance opportunities including the monthly New Music Chicago Presents series and occasional special concerts and calls for scores. Complementing this support of our members, NMC also serves as the sponsoring organization for the Ear Taxi Festival, a nationally recognized celebration of the Chicago contemporary music community.
The Managing Director will serve as the principal staff member of NMC, working with the Board of Directors to enact the organization’s strategic vision and programs, as well as facilitate operational stability and growth.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
-Oversee implementation of New Music Chicago’s mission in collaboration with the Board of Directors and with attention to member feedback.
-Assist with the creation of board and committee meeting agendas
-Regularly attend Board of Directors meetings and provide reports on operations-Enact efforts, campaigns, and programs to sustain or increase membership
-Solicit update, calendar events, and feedback from members via mass and personal communications
-Maintain relationships with organizational partners, including venues, presenters, and foundations
Organizational Management
-Assist bookkeeper and Treasurer in the development of the annual operating budget
-Monitor financial performance and engagement of members and audiences in NMC programs
-Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal nonprofit regulations, including maintaining insurance policies and acting as the primary registered agent.
-Ensure secure and accurate maintenance of all information on platforms and services used to carry out operations (Account numbers, logins, addresses, etc).
-Ensure that members are accurately registered in internal documents and externally on the NMC website, in collaboration with Treasurer and Bookkeeper to determine active members
Development
-Apply for grant funding from local arts councils and other foundations.
-Serve as primary staff lead in fundraising efforts:
-Cultivate individual donors and sponsorships, ensuring recognition in collaboration with the Administrative Assistant
-Apply for annual grants from local, state, and private organizations; write and issue reports in collaboration with Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant
-Maintain databases of individual and organizational donors
-Collaborate with the Board of Directors on fundraising campaigns
-Steward relationships with funders and secure new funding opportunities to support program growth
-Oversee volunteer Finance committee in collaboration with Board Treasurer, delegating tasks where appropriate
Marketing & Communications
-Maintain the NMC website with the support of the Administrative Assistant and volunteer Communications Committee, including:
-Functioning, up-to-date profile pages for all active members (including the creation of new profiles)
-Maintenance of a calendar of events by member artists
-Up-to-date information on additional NMC programs
-Lead day-to-day communications strategy to ensure NMC promotional materials reach audiences and the general public on a timely basis, including:
-Regular email newsletters containing organization news, member news, and links to calendar events
-Social media marketing using Instagram, Facebook, and X; including member and NMC events, membership news, and useful resources and updates attuned to important updates for Chicago musicians.
Programming
-Oversee all logistical and operational needs for NMC programs:
-Prepare contracts, programs, and promotional materials for monthly New Music Chicago Presents concerts; interface with artists and venue to ensure smooth and successful production
-Organize networking events and professional development workshops on at least a biannual basis
-Identify and coordinate hiring and visioning procedures for future Ear Taxi Festivals.
Desired Qualifications & Attributes
-Passion for contemporary art music and/or Chicago culture
-Demonstrated excellence in nonprofit or small business management
-Success in government and private grantwriting
-Program management expertise
-Experience working with small or volunteer teams; strong board relation skills.
-High energy, positive, “can do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and high degree of initiative
-Proficiency with online productivity, marketing, and finance platforms including but not limited to Google Suite, Constant Contact, QuickBooks, Gusto, Buffer, Canva, Youtube Studio
How To Apply
Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for 2-3 references to info@newmusicchicago.org with the subject line “New Music Chicago Managing Director Application”. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with a priority deadline of 11:59 pm on Friday, February 20th. A strong application will demonstrate a breadth or depth of relevant experience and illustrate a clear vision for the applicant’s role as Managing Director, and for New Music Chicago as a whole. We welcome a diverse range of candidates for this position, recognizing that the necessary qualities for creative leadership arise from a variety of backgrounds. Questions may be directed to Ben Zucker at president@nullnewmusicchicago.org.
Bookkeeper Roles and Responsibilities
Hours: 4-8 hours per month, depending on business needs and activity
Modality: Flexible, remote (Chicago residency preferred)
Compensation: $35-45/hour, commensurate with experience
Start Date: c. May 2026
Reports to: Treasurer, Managing Director
Works with: Administrative Assistant, volunteer committees
New Music Chicago (NMC) is seeking a part-time Bookkeeper to support the financial
processes of the organization, which includes membership dues, grants, donations, and income from special programming. NMC’s fiscal year runs concurrently with the calendar year (January 1-December 31), and is on a cash basis. NMC currently uses a primary checking account, a high yield savings account, and a secondary checking account that we reserve for the purposes of the quadrennial Ear Taxi Festival.
Key Responsibilities:
Work with the Treasurer to:
-Accurately keep accounts updated on a monthly basis
-Review financial statements quarterly
-Assist with grant finance reports
-Maintain records of membership dues paid
-Ensure 1099s are filed annually (and W-2s, 941s if NMC ever decides to employ
someone)
-Review and improve financial strategic planning for the organization
Desired Qualifications & Attributes
-Experience with bookkeeping and financial management for small nonprofits or businesses
-CPA certification, or progress towards certification, is very welcome but not a requirement
-Is proficient with Quickbooks, Wave, and other equivalent accounting software
-Is proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
-Has a working knowledge of budgets and Profit & Loss statements
-Has strong attention to detail and a strong acumen with numbers
Compensation
- We anticipate paying qualified candidates $35-$45/hour, as is commensurate with the
candidate’s experience.
For further information or to apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 2 professional references to info@nullnewmusicchicago.org with the subject line “New Music Chicago Bookkeeper Application”. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Questions may be directed to Laura Perkett at treasurer@nullnewmusicchicago.org.
We look forward to meeting with you and hearing how you can contribute to New Music Chicago’s mission!