First of its kind: City of Huntsville seeks full-time Music Officer
Published on July 16, 2021
The City of Huntsville is now accepting applications for Huntsville Music Officer, a full-time position geared toward anyone with a vision for transforming the Rocket City into a must-see music city.
The City is in a prime position to draw regional and national music fans who want to catch a show at the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center or the new Mars Music Hall. At MidCity, construction is underway on an 8,000-seat outdoor amphitheater expected to attract artists from a myriad of genres.
A wide-ranging music audit performed by Sound Diplomacy in 2019 recommended both the Music Officer position and the nine-member Music Board. The audit, approved by the Huntsville City Council, is an integral part of Mayor Tommy Battle’s Music Initiative.
“Music is essential to not only our quality of life, but also our local economy,” Mayor Battle said. “No matter who you are or what your background is, music is a universal language that unites us all. There’s no reason why Huntsville can’t be a top destination for musicians and music lovers, and we believe the Music Officer will help us get to that level.”
Kate Durio with Sound Diplomacy said the full-time Music Officer position will set Huntsville apart from other cities because it’s the first of its kind in the U.S. She added that even though the Rocket City has enjoyed success, fueled by grassroot efforts, the potential for added support and recognition will be significant.
“This leadership by example builds on the long-standing and well-known history of Huntsville as a place for innovation,” Durio said. “With this sustained focus at the local government level, it doubles-down on the City supporting its music industry through the support, promotion and development of the music ecosystem.”
City leaders anticipate significant interest in the position but want someone who is not only a creative thinker, but also understands the value of Huntsville’s music scene in both cultural and economic terms.
“The Music Audit offered a road map, but the Music Officer will need to work very closely with the Music Board to make adjustments and guide implementation,” said Dennis Madsen, Huntsville’s manager of Urban & Long-Range Planning. “They’ll need to develop their own strong relationships with organizations like the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Arts Huntsville, with venues large and small, and especially with artists and industry professionals.”
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in music, communications, marketing, public relations or a related field from an accredited college or university and have at least five years of experience working in a music, events or related entertainment industry.
The Music Officer will oversee strategic planning initiatives outlined in the Music Audit while also supporting the City’s existing music sector. The officer will also identify, implement and increase music-related economic opportunities while being a primary point of contact for local, regional and national stakeholders. Candidates will serve as a liaison between with both government officials and those in the music industry.
“The ideal candidate will have to have a lot of initiative,” Madsen said.
Visit HuntsvilleAL/Jobs to learn more about working for the City of Huntsville. View the full job description and apply online HERE. The posting will be active until 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23.
