Full time / $100,000-$120,000 annually / Bardavon Presents / Poughkeepsie, NY
The Executive Director will be the Chief Executive Officer of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (“Bardavon”) with a particular focus on contributed revenue growth, financial management, and general administration. They will provide leadership and vision to fulfill the organization’s mission and ensure that the Bardavon achieves its goals for artistic excellence, financial stability, and community engagement. Reporting to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, the Executive Director will provide oversight for all aspects of the organization, facilitating the work of the board, staff, and volunteers, while building a culture of communication, trust, and transparency. As a presence in the community and an advocate for the organization, they will engage the local and wider communities served by both venues.
Role and Responsibilities
Financial and Programmatic Leadership
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of the organization’s artistic objectives.
• Oversee the preparation and submit for board approval the annual operating budget in conjunction with the finance committee and staff.
• Monitor and authorize expenditures and accounts receivable and payable, in accordance with the approved budget.
• Manage the preparation of monthly financial statements, including the preparation of updated projections based on actual income and expense activity and cash flow projections.
• Oversee the finance director’s work, ensuring that accurate books of accounts and bank records are maintained and that the annual audit is completed with the outside auditors.
• Embrace other financial and programmatic leadership duties, as needed.
Board Governance
• Advise the board on matters within the Executive Director’s scope of responsibilities to promote the efficient operation of the theatres and the delivery to the public of the services the Bardavon was chartered to provide.
• Serve as an ex officio member of all board committees, attending all meetings of standing committees, the board, and the executive committee.
• Oversee the preparation of and present reports for all meetings as necessary, including monthly reports for the executive committee and board of directors’ meetings.
• Support the governance committee in identifying and recruiting qualified candidates for board membership and assist with new member orientation as well as education in the Bardavon By-Laws and Policies.
• Facilitate regular meetings with board leadership, including the board president, and prepare the agenda for those meetings.
• Embrace other board governance duties, as needed.
Revenue Generation and Marketing
• Act as the chief fundraiser for the organization, ensuring through the combined efforts of all involved that Bardavon meets or exceeds its goals for contributed income.
• Lead the fundraising efforts of the board of directors, providing direction and support.
• Guide fundraising and advocacy efforts with individual donors, corporations, foundations, and government agencies, collaborating with the board, grants writer, and staff in the identification and cultivation of donors.
• Partner with the grants writer, staff, and board in fundraising activities, including membership meetings, corporate sponsorships, special events, campaigns, and planned giving programs.
• Direct the grants writer and the director of finance in all aspects of grant applications and management, including use, acknowledgments, reporting, and relevant recordkeeping.
• Oversee the development and implementation of marketing plans for up to 100 events annually working in collaboration with the Director of Marketing.
• Build and maintain good relationships with local media contacts.
• Ensure the maintenance and regular updates of the website.
• Deal with ongoing capital fundraising issues for the two historic century old + venues.
• Embrace other revenue generation and marketing duties, as needed.
External Relations and Advocacy
• Serve as the public face of the organization in the local and national arenas.
• Ensure effective communication with the constituencies: volunteer groups, other arts organizations, public agencies, government agencies, and the public to achieve the public service objectives of the organization.
• Inspire local, state, and federal governments and agencies to support the Bardavon in its mission through positive advocacy.
• Monitor legislative activity that affects the orchestra and recommend appropriate action to the Board of Directors.
• Serve as the main representative for both FairGame and Alive Downtowns and actively pursue opportunities to benefit from other consortiums.
• Collaborate on all bookings, performances, events, school residencies, etc., with the Program Directors and Education Director and approve all offers and contracts.
• Attend all of the Bardavon presented concerts and events and address the audience pre-concert to solicit membership, announce shows, funds for designated programs, etc.
• Embrace other external relations and advocacy duties, as needed.
Organizational Excellence
• Foster and implement current and long-range administrative and personnel planning (long-range investment plan) to ensure that the Bardavon is effectively structured and staffed competently.
• Guarantee that all employer responsibilities are met in compliance with local, state, and federal law.
• Recruit, select, and supervise all staff, including evaluation of staff performance as needed but at least annually in writing.
• Create and enforce policies covering all aspects of employment in collaboration with the human resources director, ensuring files are maintained and reporting any staffing issues to the executive committee.
• Develop, execute, and monitor compensation and benefits programs.
• Determine that all documents and payroll records are properly maintained according to legal requirements and board policies and procedures.
• Support the preparation and revision of job descriptions, the employee handbook, and employment policies as needed, and present such to the board for approval.
• Ensure that equipment, supplies, etc., are purchased in compliance with the budget and approved procedures.
• Maintain adequate insurance to protect the organization’s assets and property, reviewing and updating as needed in consultation with the finance department and the board.
• Maintain a positive relationship with patrons and the public, addressing any suggestions or issues as they arise.
• Maintain the bottom line of a long-term sustainability plan in order to maintain annual raises.
• Embrace other organizational excellence duties, as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The Executive Director (ED) will be a gifted collaborator who can bring the board, staff, and community together around a shared vision. They will lead with a sense of fun and commitment and will be able to easily pivot to manage the complexities of the two presenting venues. Authentic and outgoing, they will enjoy working with the staff and board and in the community to build relationships supporting Bardavon. The ED will practice and expect excellent and transparent communication at all levels.
Other key competencies include:
• Leadership and Personal Accountability – The dexterity to inspire and organize people around a shared vision, purpose, and direction, and to acknowledge and take responsibility for personal actions.
• Diplomacy and Negotiation Skills – The emotional intelligence and sensitivity to communicate effectively, building trust and commitment, while handling difficult issues and addressing sensitive issues with active listening and consensus building.
• Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork – The capacity to effectively communicate, building rapport and relating well to a wide variety of people, while fostering a culture of collaboration and cooperation.
• Planning and Organizing – The ability to collaborate with others in establishing courses of action, ensuring that work is completed successfully.
Compensation and Benefits
The Bardavon provides a competitive and equitable compensation package in the range of $100,000 to $120,000, with benefits that include paid time off and holidays; health insurance; long-term disability and life insurance; and a 401(k) retirement plan.
Requirements
Qualifications
Demonstrated leadership experience and proven success in arts programming, presenting, and non-profit management are required. Financial and operational acumen, including past success in fundraising and earned revenue enhancement are essential. A track record of community engagement and experience in leading a strong and dedicated team are essential. Past visibility as a primary spokesperson representing an organization to diverse groups of constituents is very helpful. If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.
Application Instructions
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit this link. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Renée Danger-James, Vice President
Flora Stamatiades, Associate Vice President
1040 First Avenue, Suite 352
New York, NY 10022-2991
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 212 (Renée) Ext. 238 (Flora)
Email Bardavon@artsconsulting.com
The Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity organization. The purpose of this policy is to provide diversity and equality to all in employment, irrespective of their gender, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, nationality, national origin, sexuality, religion or belief, marital status and social class. Here at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc., we want all of our employees to feel valued, appreciated, and free to be who they are at work.
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