Executive Director

Opus 40•Saugerties, NY

10d•$80,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Help Lead Something Extraordinary. We're looking for a visionary leader to help steward one of the Hudson Valley's most beloved cultural landmarks. About Opus 40 Sculpture Park and Museum Opus 40 is a world-famous sculpture park and museum, centered around the magnificent 6.5- acre earthwork sculpture created by pioneering artist and Bard College professor Harvey Fite. Based in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Saugerties, NY, and encompassing 63 acres of meadows, forested trials and bluestone quarries, Opus 40 has been one of the Hudson Valley’s most vital cultural organizations since 1978. Each year, Opus 40 welcomes up to 35,000 guests, and hosts over 50 events, including live music and theater, educational programs, nature walks, wellness classes, private events and more — all with the majestic Catskill Mountains as the backdrop. This is an exciting period of growth, reinvention and creativity for Opus 40. In 2023, the organization acquired Harvey Fite’s historic studio/home and is embarking on a capital campaign to preserve, restore and reconceptualize the building to become a vibrant center for the organization. The two-story structure plays an integral role in the Fite legacy and completes the nonprofit sculpture park. Always imagined by the Fite’s as one unified artistic environment, Fite House will provide a place to display Fite’s artwork and archives and to host workshops, artist talks, and develop residency opportunities. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to use their entrepreneurial vision, skills and imagination to plan and lead, in partnership with a co-executive and alongside an engaged Board of Directors and staff, this new phase of organizational development. The organization’s operational budget is $750,000 which has grown significantly in recent years, and will continue to grow in the future. The Ideal Candidate The Executive Director is responsible for the overall management of the organization, including fundraising, financial planning, staffing, and program development. As the ambassador of Opus 40 with funders, supporters, staff, vendors, and the community and public at large, the Executive Director should be an effective and thoughtful leader who can communicate with grace and ease to Opus 40’s various constituencies. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills and experience managing a growing organization. We are seeking candidates with a demonstrated record of successful fundraising, administrative oversight and staff supervision. The preferred candidate will be able to develop, invigorate, and maintain relationships with donors and institutional funders; manage and plan for the organization’s growth; and offer strong stewardship of the organization’s exceptional natural assets. The Executive Director must be comfortable working in a natural setting; experience in arts and/or historic preservation is a strong plus.

Requirements

Strong leadership skills and experience managing a growing organization.
Demonstrated record of successful fundraising, administrative oversight and staff supervision.
Comfortable working in a natural setting

Nice To Haves

Experience in arts and/or historic preservation

Responsibilities

Ensure sustainable funding from a variety of sources including government, foundations, individual donors & sponsors, and earned income.
Identify, cultivate, steward, and strengthen relationships with new and existing donors and sponsors.
Plan and manage fundraising events that engage a wide range of stakeholders.
Sustain and grow a diversified earned revenue program to increase general support and cash reserve.
Lead and manage a capital campaign.
Oversee the development and execution of the organization’s varied programming with the support of a program manager.
Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a strategic plan to achieve the organization’s vision, including a master plan for the grounds, facilities, and restoration of Opus 40 and the carved sculptures, and the restoration and housing of archival materials related to Fite’s work.
Oversee business operations including the annual budget, fiscal management and reporting, technology and database systems, compliance, and human resources.
Directly or indirectly supervise facility maintenance, upkeep, security, and contractors and vendors.
Support the effective and efficient operations of the Board of Directors and its committees.
Lead, supervise, and mentor a mission-driven staff and volunteer team.
Create a culture where professional development and internal leadership capabilities are valued and supported.
Develop staff recruitment and retention strategies to ensure organizational longevity and overall staff satisfaction.
Serve as a strong voice and role model for diversity and inclusion.
Build and activate partnerships with local, regional, and national partners to advance the organization’s mission.
Foster trust, interdependence, and collaboration with community partners, including government agencies, local organizations, school systems, and area residents.