Glimmerglass Festival
Cooperstown, NY
US
Christian Shaefer
Job Title: Director of Development
Department: Development
Reports To: Executive Director
Location: Cooperstown, NY (in-person/some hybrid work possible)
Classification: Full-time, year-round
Supervises: Development staff
Desired Start Date: January 3, 2025
DESCRIPTION:
The Glimmerglass Festival seeks a visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Development, a role pivotal to shaping the future of one of the world's most celebrated summer opera festivals. Nestled on the shores of Otsego Lake, just outside the charming village of Cooperstown, NY, Glimmerglass has earned global acclaim for its artistic innovation and breathtaking pastoral setting. Each summer, the Festival welcomes thousands of visitors from across the nation and around the world for extraordinary performances of opera, musical theater, and a rich variety of engaging events.
As the principal architect of the Festival's comprehensive fundraising strategy, the Director of Development leads a collaborative team of five development professionals and serves as a key member of the senior executive team. Working closely with the Artistic & General Director and acting as the principal liaison to the Board of Trustees, this leader is integral to long-term strategic planning and ensuring the Festival's continued artistic excellence. The Director of Development oversees all aspects of fundraising, from cultivating existing supporters and identifying new revenue opportunities and donor prospects to orchestrating donor engagement events, an annual gala, and the timely submission of grant applications and sponsorship requests to foundations, corporations, and government entities.
This is a transformative moment in The Glimmerglass Festival’s history, as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. With a $10 million annual operating budget and an ambitious fundraising campaign — “Destined to Glimmerglass” — entering its public phase, the Director of Development will have the unique opportunity to partner with campaign consultants, senior leadership, and the Board of Trustees to bring this critical initiative to fruition. For a leader who thrives on collaboration and creativity and believes in the transformative power of music and theater, this is a chance to leave an indelible mark on an organization that inspires people from all walks of life.
To learn more about the Festival, its mission, history, and values, please visit the Festival's website.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee an annual development program of over $5 million in support of the Festival’s mission and vision for the future by establishing contributed income goals and strategies for the operating budget.
Lead a team of five year-round professionals and three seasonal apprentice staff members.
Manage a portfolio of Board members, major gift donors, and prospects.
Create and execute an annual engagement and solicitation plan to achieve all contributed income goals encompassing individual giving, foundation and government grants, corporate support, planned giving, and special events.
Work closely with the Artistic & General Director and Board leadership on strategic fundraising moves for major gifts and donor stewardship and cultivation opportunities.
Serve as a staff liaison to the Development and Nominating Committees to coordinate and maximize fundraising efforts.
Collaborate with the senior executive team to further the organization’s vision, and strategic and financial goals.
During 2025, collaborate with the Artistic & General Director, Board leadership, and consultants to oversee an ambitious fundraising campaign in celebration of the company’s 50th Anniversary.
Provide oversight in the planning and executing special events, including an annual gala in New York City.
Collaborate with and support the Festival’s volunteer group to achieve common goals.
Supervise departmental processes for tracking and reporting all fundraising activities in the Patron Manager database.
Manage revenue and expense budgets for the department, and oversee all internal and external development reporting.
Partner with the Communications Department to create effective digital and print collateral to support fundraising efforts and advance awareness of the company among the general public.
Skills and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is someone who brings creative new thinking to achieving fundraising goals and managing a development team.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior development role; significant experience working with a high-level performing arts organization is preferred.
Significant experience managing a portfolio of high-level donors and prospects.
Superior written and verbal communication skills and excellent attention to detail.
Demonstrated success in fundraising best practices, donor cultivation, moves management techniques, team leadership, event planning, and grant writing.
Experience working successfully and collaboratively with boards and other volunteers to support their role as ambassadors and fundraisers.
Experience developing budgets in alignment with organizational strategic priorities.
Strong collaboration skills and ability to thrive in a team environment.
Proficiency in donor management software.
Resourcefulness, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills.
Excellent social skills and a desire to engage with the donor base and maintain a presence in the community.
Ability and willingness to travel for meetings, performances, and special events.
Flexibility of hours due to weekend and evening performances, rehearsals, and events, particularly during the summer Festival season.
Enthusiasm for the performing arts and a genuine interest in opera is essential.
Knowledge of the philanthropic communities in New York City, New York State, and beyond is a plus.
Undergraduate degree equivalent or higher required.
Compensation:
Pay range: $110,000 - $135,000 annually, exempt
Benefit package to include: medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, retirement plan; and paid vacation/holiday time.
The Glimmerglass Festival seeks to hire persons of all backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. Developing and investing in our employees is our highest priority to achieve an environment that fosters company-wide success. The Festival aims to employ individuals at varying stages of their careers who have a desire to work for a leading arts organization that values professional and personal growth through collaboration and commitment to creating the highest quality product possible. To learn more about the initiatives and actions we are taking to make progress in these areas, please visit our website, HERE.
The Glimmerglass Festival is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic data or any other legally protected status.
The hiring process is highly competitive. All positions will be posted for two weeks before the start of the interview process and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This job was posted on November 18, 2024.
To apply, please prepare a one-page Cover Letter and a Resume (including three references) in a single PDF document. Submit and complete the application process by clicking HERE, or by going to our Glimmerglass Website Employment Page, and filling out the Employment Application Form.
Nov 18, 2024 - Dec 18, 2024
$110,000.00 – $135,000.00 per year
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