Executive Director - Opus 40

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 professor Harvey Fite.  Based in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Saugerties, NY, and encompassing 63 acres of meadows, forested paths and bluestone quarries, Opus 40 has been one of the Hudson Valley's most vital cultural organizations since 1978.

Each year, Opus 40 welcomes 35,000 guests, and hosts over 60 events, including live music and theater, educational programs, nature walks, workshops, private events and more  — all with the majestic Catskill Mountains as the backdrop.

This is an exciting growth period of reinvention and creativity for Opus 40.  The organization recently acquired Harvey Fite's historic studio/home and is embarking on a  capital campaign to renovate, 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 Fites as one unified artistic environment, 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, alongside an engaged Board of Directors and staff, a new phase of organizational development. The organization's operational budget is $683,000,  which has grown significantly in recent years, and will continue to grow in the coming years.  

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 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 park-like setting; experience in arts and/or historic preservation is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Fundraising and Revenue Development

• Ensure sustainable funding from a variety of sources including government, foundations, individual donors, and earned income. 
• Identify, cultivate, steward, and strengthen relationships with new and existing donors.
• 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.

Programming, Mission & Strategy

• 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 sculptures, and the collection, restoration and housing of archival materials related to Fite's work.

Organizational Management, and Governance

• 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. 

Staff Leadership

• 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.

Community Partnerships

• 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.

Salary: $70,000-$80,000/year commensurate with experience, plus benefits. Benefits include health insurance (medical, vision), [FSA, 403b],  4-6 weeks of paid-time off, flexible scheduling available.  

Opus 40 is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

Physical Demands.  This is a physical position.  While performing the duties of the position, the Executive Director is regularly required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, and kneel, on rocky and unpaved grounds.  They must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  

Applications will close on 3/10/24, the intended start date for the role is 5/1/24