Chief Operations Officer
About The Position
The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a strategic partner to the Executive Director, translating the vision, priorities, and long-term goals of the May Festival, Vocal Arts Ensemble (VAE), and Cincinnati Boychoir into organizational strategies and execution. The COO leads across strategic planning, operations, earned revenue, education, and community engagement, aligning resources, systems, and people to advance each organization’s mission and impact in Greater Cincinnati. Working with staff, board members, donors, community partners, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the COO leads strategic initiatives, oversees business operations, supports audience and revenue growth, and strengthens organizational systems and processes. The role provides leadership for educational and community programs, evaluates organizational performance through data and impact measurement, and builds relationships that support artistic excellence, community engagement, and long-term sustainability. The COO fosters collaboration across the organizations, supports fundraising and board engagement, and cultivates an inclusive, mission-driven culture for artists, staff, volunteers, patrons, and stakeholders. The position reports to the Executive Director.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- Significant leadership experience in nonprofit, arts, cultural, educational, or mission-driven organizations, including responsibility for strategy, operations, team leadership, and organizational growth.
- Experience managing budgets, financial performance, and revenue-generating activities.
- Experience working with Boards of Directors and supporting governance activities.
- Experience supporting philanthropic initiatives through donor engagement, stewardship, grant support, and relationship-building with funders and community partners.
- Experience overseeing marketing, communications, audience development, or brand strategy initiatives.
- Commitment to fostering inclusive, collaborative, and mission-driven workplace cultures.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with education, community engagement, or outreach programming.
- Knowledge of classical and/or choral music.
- Experience with Tessitura, Prospect 2, or Adobe.
Responsibilities
- Partner with the Executive Director to develop and execute long-range organizational strategy for the May Festival, VAE, and Cincinnati Boychoir.
- Implement strategic priorities by gathering and evaluating data, informing decisions, and reporting progress to leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Identify staffing needs, define roles, and build infrastructure to support the May Festival’s strategic growth.
- Optimize internal processes and procedures and monitor trends in the performing arts, choral music, and Greater Cincinnati civic landscape.
- Lead earned revenue strategy, including ticket sales, festival passes, group sales, program-related income, pricing, and patron services in collaboration with the CSO box office and communications teams.
- Establish and monitor earned revenue goals and budgets, identify audience and revenue-growth opportunities, and make data-driven recommendations for financial sustainability.
- Provide strategic oversight to the Marketing Manager and collaborate with CSO Communications and Digital Media teams on content and messaging aligned with organizational priorities, brand objectives, and audience growth.
- Steward the brands of the May Festival, VAE, and Cincinnati Boychoir, maintaining distinct and cohesive identities across visual and verbal communications while reinforcing shared values.
- Review monthly financial statements, monitor financial performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective action.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for education and outreach programs across the three organizations.
- Support relationships with schools, community organizations, teaching artists, and civic partners to advance choral arts in Greater Cincinnati.
- Oversee evaluation, measurement, and reporting of education and outreach initiatives, using data and outcomes to demonstrate impact and inform decisions and stakeholder engagement.
- Serve as the primary liaison for the shared services partnership among the May Festival, VAE, Cincinnati Boychoir, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
- Support Executive Director preparation for board meetings by drafting reports, assembling materials, and coordinating follow-up on action items.
- Partner with the Executive Director on fundraising and philanthropic engagement, aligning donor communications, impact reporting, program data, and organizational narratives to support grants, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
- Support a respectful and inclusive culture for patrons, donors, volunteers, artists, board members, and staff.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off.
- 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
- Employer contributions to an HSA and 401(k).
- Affordable health and dental coverage.
- Free mental health support services.
- Annual incentive compensation opportunities.
- Dedicated professional development funds for all employees.
- Flexible work arrangements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
