This vacancy was posted on 11/17/09 We welcome nominations and applications for the position of General Director, available early in 2010.
Founded in 1978, we were originally presented outdoors in Ash Lawn-Highland, an estate adjacent to Monticello that was bequeathed to the College of William and Mary to operate for the education of the general public. The Festival began as a program to interpret the cultural milieu of the Monroe era for modern audiences. The summer of 2009 marked the Companys first season in residence at The Paramount Theater in the heart of downtown Charlottesville. The Company has grown to a six week festival each July and August offering full-length opera and musical theatre productions with orchestra. The 2009 Festival included four performances of Mozarts The Marriage of Figaro, seven performances of Lerner and Loewes Camelot, a variety of evening concerts featuring company artists, free lunch hour recitals, and a series of Saturday morning concerts for children and families.
We attract exceptionally gifted American and international artists and offers them a fertile environment in which to build repertoire. In 1996, the Festival initiated an Apprentice Program designed to cultivate young singers in all areas of opera production through comprehensive educational and performance training. Our alumni go on to successful careers with major companies both nationally and internationally. Thus we make a significant contribution to opera in America.
We are governed by a 25-member Board of Directors and has an annual operating budget of about $500,000. The College of William and Mary provides personnel, payroll and financial management services. The Company has a year-round staff of 3, which expands considerably before and during the summer Festival. Important fund raising and administrative support is generated by a Guild of active and dedicated volunteers. A group of young professionals called Bravo! works to build new audiences for us. The Company's office is in downtown Charlottesville.
The Community:
Ranked #1 City in USA and Canada to Live by USA Today in 2004, Charlottesville consistently ranks highly in the ratings of desirable locations. Charlottesville provides a unique combination of professional, university, and cultural influences in an historic and scenic setting. A retirement and destination setting for tourists, the Charlottesville area boasts a multi-faceted cultural scene including the Virginia Festival of the Book, the Virginia Film Festival, and many excellent and diverse musical ensembles, drama groups, artists and artisans.
In the summer of 2009, we moved our opera and musical theatre productions from its outdoor venue to the Paramount Theater, which re-opened in 2004 following a major renovation and restoration. Our performances no longer risk cancellation due to bad weather.
The 1042-seat proscenium theatre is centrally located on broad pedestrian mall with restaurants, galleries, shops and parking facilities. The Paramount Theater currently hosts the popular Met: Live in HD series which is widely attended.
The Opportunity:
Our General Director for the past 23 years, has announced that she will retire on December 31, 2009.
The next General Director will take the helm of a Company with an excellent reputation. Working with the Board of Directors, the General Director will be able to shape the vision for the Companys growth and development. S/he will have the opportunity to assemble an artistic team to realize that vision.
The Position:
The General Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible and accountable for the management of the opera, both artistic and administrative. The General Director ensures that the opera fulfills its mission and achieves its goals for artistic excellence, community engagement, and financial stewardship.
The General Director develops and implements strategic plans, operating plans, and budgets. S/he recruits, motivates, supervises, and evaluates the Companys artistic and administrative staff and maintains an environment that allows artists, staff, and volunteers to do their best work. S/he ensures that the Board has the information needed to make informed decisions. S/he fosters a spirit of collaboration internally among Board, staff, and volunteers, and externally with the Paramount Theater, the College of William and Mary and the greater Charlottesville/Albemarle community.
The General Director leads the fundraising and marketing efforts. S/he provides direction and impetus to the work of the Board and the staff in order to achieve the Companys goals for earned and contributed income. S/he maintains positive and productive relationships with current and potential donors, and actively promotes institutional advancement. The General Director is the visible representative and spokesperson for the Company throughout the community.
The General Director ensures that the Company fulfills its mission to achieve the highest possible artistic standards and provide a rich professional development opportunity for young artists. S/he oversees the design, development, and implementation of the Companys year-round educational programs and community engagement activities.
Candidate Profile:
The successful candidate will be an effective leader with the vision, knowledge, energy, and personality to set the course for the future growth and development.
S/he will be a strategic thinker with excellent planning and management skills. S/he will be a superb communicator and an effective advocate for the Company throughout the community.
The successful candidate will have a thorough working knowledge of opera and musical theatre that encompasses artists, repertoire, production, and operations. S/he will have successful experience working with creative and performing artists, including artistic directors, stage directors, composers, conductors, singers, orchestra musicians and other artistic personnel. Experience working with artists in the early stages of career development will be an asset.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic fund raiser who is willing to devote significant time and effort to donor cultivation and stewardship. S/he will have a track record for achieving and exceeding goals for sales and marketing. S/he will be aware, informed, and comfortable employing available technology and electronic media.
The successful candidate will have strong budgeting and financial management skills. S/he will be able to work creatively with limited resources. S/he will be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral presentations. The successful candidate will be a person of high integrity and ethical standards. S/he will have excellent interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will welcome the opportunity to become an active part of the Charlottesville community.
Compensation:
Compensation will be competitive with Level 4 companies within OPERA America, and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The General Director will be provided with benefits currently available to full-time employees of the College of William and Mary.
Applications:
Please submit a cover letter that describes your interest and qualifications for the position. Send with a resume, the names of several professional references, and salary history or requirements. All applications will be treated as confidential. References will not be contacted without an applicants knowledge. Electronic submissions are preferred.
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