Executive Director
Opera Naples seeks applications for the position of Executive Director from individuals with broad practical experience in arts administration and major gift fund-raising. This is a full-time position, requiring residence in the Greater Naples area. The Executive Director works closely with the Artistic Director on business planning to build the company’s reputation for artistic excellence locally and nationally, while maintaining financial stability. The Executive Director will play a leadership role in achieving the company’s vision.
The Organization
Opera Naples is a professional opera company founded in 2005 in the small but affluent community of Naples on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida. Its location on the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, its abundant sunshine, numerous golf courses and upscale restaurants, museums, art galleries, and shopping have established Naples as a sophisticated resort town. The area has about 370,000 inhabitants, is one of the wealthiest communities in the country with the highest concentration of millionaires per capita. During the October to April winter months, referred to as “the season,” the population booms with the arrival of part-time residents and tourists from all over the world.
Opera Naples is most active during this period. In the current season, the company is presenting its expanded Festival Under the Stars—including fully staged and semi-staged operas, recitals and chamber operas. The Festival may be augmented with additional grand operas, concerts, chamber works, recitals, and master classes. Each year, it manages a competitive Resident Artist program as well as an extensive outreach program into area schools, assembles and showcases a youth chorus, and stages an operetta production with young people.
The company is small and relatively young, yet under the baton and leadership of Artistic Director Maestro Ramon Tebar, it has established an enviable record for presenting stellar productions and concerts featuring international artists of the caliber of Javier Camarena, Joseph Calleja, Isabel Leonard and Ramon Vargas. The company is a member of OPERA America.
The company has an annual budget of $1.3 million which it aims to grow to $1.7 million over the next three years. Fund-raising provides approximately 70% of annual income. The prosperity of the region offers great opportunity for growth in both earned and contributed revenue. Opera Naples aspires to grow to the next budget category within OPERA America.
The David and Cecile Wang Opera Center
Opera Naples is housed at the David and Cecile Wang Opera Center which opened in 2014. It comprises a 320-seat black box theater, administrative offices, classrooms used for outreach programs and rehearsals, and prop, set and costume storage areas.
Chamber opera, vocal concerts, and recitals are performed at the Center by Opera Naples.
The facility is also leased to various organizations to enjoy a wide variety of live entertainment, as well as lectures and films.
The Festival Under the Stars is presented outdoors in a public park during March and includes grand opera, Broadway, and solo performances. Post Covid, ON plans to augment the Festival with a return to performing large-scale productions at the 1,425-seat Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples (formerly known as the Philharmonic Center for the Performing Arts).
The Resident Artists program is the centerpiece of the education program. This season , four Resident Artists were selected from more than 200 applicants. The Resident Artists perform an age-appropriate opera for elementary school students throughout the county; they also perform the lead roles in a chamber opera and present evening opera programs to local country clubs. Youth chorus also performs throughout the area, and students participate in a robust summer program that culminates in a performance of an operetta.
The staff includes a Development Director, Finance Director, Educational Director and Music Administrator, Artistic Coordinator, and Box Office Manager. Other needed support such as stage management, set and costume design, advertising and public relations is outsourced as needed or provided by volunteer staff.
Position Summary
This is a full-time position reporting to the Board of Trustees, as does the Artistic Director.
Primary responsibilities include:
Leadership
Take overall responsibility for the five-year strategic plan; day-to-day operations and management of staff; financial oversight; internal and external communications; contracting coordination with other organizations. Oversee all marketing activities. Work closely with the Artistic Director to budget future seasons and to develop and maintain the company’s calendar of activities including productions.
Institutional Development
Responsibilities include maximizing contributed and earned revenue, cultivating partnerships with other organizations in the region, and ensuring operation of program activities.
Enhance existing fund-raising strategies and activities; meet or exceed fund-raising targets; oversee donor database and donor communications; plan and coordinate grant submissions. Collaborate with the Board and Artistic Director on planning and execution.
Audience Development
Create strategies to cultivate new audience and performance opportunities. Work closely with the artistic team to manage educational activities. Expand relationships with area schools and colleges.
Facilities Management and Rentals
Oversee operation of the Wang Opera Center. Market the third-party use of the Judy and John Hushon Theater at the Wang Opera Center to maximize its profit potential.
Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate will have senior management experience in the performing arts/cultural field and the ability to work cooperatively with the company’s current staff and with volunteers, including the Board of Trustees.
Other required skills include experience in the development and management of budgets, knowledge of fund-raising, marketing, and competence in strategic problem solving. The board of directors is seeking someone who inspires enthusiasm, has a track record in major gift fund-raising from individuals and in audience development, and who is interested in growing a company over a number of years. Training in arts management is essential.
We seek a person with excellent oral and written communication skills who is willing and able to become a respected champion in the local cultural community, a motivated standard-bearer, team builder and team player. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be comfortable and adept in both private and public social and business forums as well as a skilled negotiator with a well-developed sense of tact and diplomacy.
Salary range of $130,000-$140,000, with a stipend for medical insurance.
How to Apply
Opera Naples does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, gender identify or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, familial or marital status, veteran status, non-job related disability or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements and a list of references by May 27, 2022 to:
Margaret Genovese
Senior Partner
Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates
E-mail: gvamargaret@aol.com