Opportunities

Berkshire Opera Festival (BOF) seeks applications for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from individuals with broad practical experience in opera and/or performing arts company management and fundraising. To steer the company in the realization of its short-term and long-range goals, BOF is seeking an entrepreneurial, collaborative leader to serve as CEO. This is a full-time position with residence year-round in the Berkshires.

The CEO will report to the Board of Directors and will also serve as President of the Board with fundraising as a primary responsibility, working in close collaboration with the Artistic Director and Director of Production, BOF’s co-founders. The CEO will have controlling financial authority over all departmental budgets, including the production and artistic budgets, and will be solely responsible for ensuring that all departments adhere to the budgetary parameters approved by the Board of Directors.

Position Summary:

The CEO is responsible for planning, organization, and direction including the critical responsibility for developing and maintaining relationships with supporters, donors and local community organizations. The CEO is responsible for fundraising and financial management, including developing with BOF’s Artistic Director and Director of Production the annual budget, managing expenses, and working collaboratively with and managing the year-round staff.

Berkshire Opera Festival’s administrative and artistic staff includes the company’s co-founders, Artistic Director Brian Garman and Director of Production Jonathon Loy, plus a full-time advancement associate (development department), full-time operations manager and a full-time marketing and communications manager. Other seasonal and production support, such as stage management, set and costume design, etc., is contracted as needed by the Artistic and Production Directors.

Primary responsibilities include:

· day-to-day fundraising, including creation of fundraising strategies and activities; meeting fundraising targets; planning and coordinating grant submissions;

· supervision and management of staff;

· financial oversight, including development and implementation of the annual budget, monitoring and control of expenses;

· maximization of earned revenue;

· attending and participating in board of directors committee and quarterly meetings.

· board development—supporting efforts to identify and cultivate new board members and enhance the participation of the current board;

· building BOF’s relevance to the community through its educational activities, expanding relationships with area schools and colleges; and increasing the reach and diversity of the BOF’s audience and stakeholders;

· representing BOF at appropriate regional and national organizations and events;

Candidate Profile:

The Board of Directors is seeking someone who inspires enthusiasm, has a track record in management, fundraising and audience development, and who is interested in running a company in its next phase of growth.

Training in arts management and development/fundraising is desirable. A good contact network throughout the opera industry would be useful. A working knowledge of Eleo donor management software (or similar database experience) would be helpful.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of senior management experience in the opera/cultural field and have the ability to work well in collaboration with the company’s current artistic leadership and staff, as well as with community volunteers including the Board of Directors.

Other required skills include experience in the development and management of budgets, knowledge of fundraising, marketing, competence in strategic problem solving, and competency in the use of current business software such as QuickBooks, Microsoft 365, and GSuite.

We seek a person with excellent oral and written communication skills; someone who is comfortable and adept in both private and public social and business situations with a well-developed sense of tact and diplomacy.

Desired Start Date: January 1, 2025