Managing Director
DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Managing Director
Classification: Full-time, year-round, exempt
Reports To: Artistic & General Director
Compensation: $100,000-$120,000 commensurate with experience
Supervises: Operations, Finance, and Human Resources.
Internal applications will receive priority from: 10/21/2025-11/04/2025
Position Overview
The Managing Director (MD) provides leadership in the coordination, supervision, and advancement of the Festival’s operations and budget. The MD is responsible for protecting the Glimmerglass Festival’s assets, resources, people, and reputation.
Reporting directly to the Artistic & General Director, the MD oversees and manages the Festival’s operations, budget, and general administration. The Operations, Finance, and Human Resources functions report directly to the MD. When the Artistic & General Director is unavailable, the MD has authority to act on their behalf.
As a member of the senior leadership team, the MD collaborates on both short- and long-range planning and helps ensure the organization’s mission, stability, and growth. The MD also fosters effective communication across departments, builds positive relationships with Trustees and community stakeholders, and ensures smooth and compliant daily operations.
Key Responsibilities
Administration & Management
Provide general management of daily operations.
Bring creativity and new strategic thinking to the Festival’s operations and processes.
Ensure legal compliance and maintain appropriate liability, workers’ compensation, and property insurance coverage in collaboration with the Director of Finance.
Responsible for all major state and federal applications (e.g., liquor licenses, corporate filings, etc.)
Review and approve contracts, collaborations, or other agreements with financial or legal implications.
Meet regularly with representatives of Local Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians to update the union about future artistic planning, discuss personnel matters, and resolve disputes in a timely fashion, in collaboration with the Director of Artistic Administration.
Represent Management in union labor negotiations with the American Federation of Musicians, in collaboration with the Director of Artistic Administration.
Human Resources
Oversee and manage HR staff.
Oversee recruitment, supervision, and professional development of administrative staff.
Maintain and enforce Festival policies and operating procedures.
Ensure accurate personnel records.
Lead personnel policy decisions in collaboration with the Artistic & General Director.
Oversee salary reviews, hiring, promotions, and terminations with final approval from the Artistic & General Director.
Oversee investigations and address employee complaints.
Facilities and IT
Oversee and manage Operations, Company Management, and Facilities staff.
Oversee maintenance and appearance of all company facilities to ensure safety, function, and aesthetics.
Oversee and manage the company’s Information Technology (IT) function, collaborating with the IT Manager to ensure company’s IT needs are met, resources maintained, and cyber-security systems are kept up-to-date.
Oversee capital planning, construction, and renovation projects.
Board of Trustees
Maintain regular communication with Board leadership, officers, and committee chairs.
Prepare and present reports at Board and committee meetings.
Coordinate agendas and support materials for committee meetings in collaboration with the Board Liaison.
Ensure Trustees are well-informed about Festival operations and needs.
Finance
Oversee and manage Finance staff.
Develop and monitor the Festival’s annual budget in consultation with the Artistic & General Director and staff.
Approve organization expenses, cash expenditures, and 403(b) contributions in compliance with internal control policies.
Serve as a signatory for checks, Form 990, and Char500.
Represent the Festival to external financial institutions.
Work closely with the Director of Finance to monitor cash flow and manage the line of credit.
Work within the department to streamline and upgrade systems and processes.
Implement new software and technologies where appropriate.
Collaborate with the Treasurer and Investment Committee to oversee investments.
Joint Responsibilities with Artistic & General Director
Ensure financial integrity, budget performance, and institutional stability.
Oversee strategies and policies that affect public and internal perception.
Maintain close industry ties to identify trends and opportunities.
Collaborate with senior leadership to introduce new strategies and initiatives which further diversify and amplify the Festival’s revenue streams.
Provide joint guidance and reports to the Board.
Qualifications
Senior management experience in opera, theater, or cultural institutions.
Proven success supervising staff and working with volunteer boards.
Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
Working knowledge of document generation software and tools, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, ChatGPT.
Knowledge of marketing, artistic operations, facilities, education/community programming, and strategic problem-solving (desirable).
Background in opera/music and/or arts management (desirable).
Excellent time management skills and superior attention to detail.
Based within a reasonable daily commute of Cooperstown; position requires frequent travel to NYC (4-6 times a year).
Start date: ideally by January 2026.
Application Instructions
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 October 21, 2025
Desired Start Date: January 1, 2026
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $100,000 - $120,000 Annual
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references.
Application Email/Link: www.glimmerglass.org/employment