Position Announcements

 

Opus 118 Searches for New Executive Director (see latest news)

Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as Opus 118 Harlem School of Music’s Chief Executive Officer, primary spokesperson and community liaison. In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for achieving the annual and long-range goals of the organization. Working with the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director develops and enables the work of an effective board and promotes a partnership between the staff, faculty, students and their families and the Board of Directors. The Executive Director oversees Opus 118’s general operations, including fundraising and special events; educational and artistic programs; financial, facility and human resources administration; and marketing, public and community relations. The Executive Director provides leadership to staff and faculty in implementing plans and policies approved by the Board of Directors and ensures that the school’s mission, vision, core values and philosophy are advocated throughout all levels of the organization. The Executive Director sets an example of quality leadership within the institution and effectively represents Opus 118 to all levels of constituents, including the community.

For nearly 15 years, Opus 118 Harlem School of Music has used music education and string playing to promote the love of music, improve academic performance, provide positive alternatives to drugs and violence, build confidence and self-esteem and help children explore the world. Opus 118’s In-School work is documented in the Academy Award-nominated documentary, Small Wonders and in the feature film Music of the Heart, starring Meryl Streep in her Academy Award-nominated performance as Roberta Guaspari, Opus 118's co-founder and Artistic Director.

Opus 118 Harlem School of Music’s three program areas include an In-School, After-School and Teacher Training/Professional Development programs. The In-School Program provides group string instruction in public school classrooms, using the method created by Opus 118 co-founder and Artistic Director, Roberta Guaspari. In the After-School Program, children of all ages and adults receive individual or group instruction on violin, viola, cello, piano and guitar. Students in the After-School program may or may not participate in the In-School Program. The long-term goal of the After-School Program is to deliver instruction in all instruments and voice. The Teacher Training/Professional Development program provides workshop-styled instruction for string teachers based on Ms. Guaspari’s method for achieving excellence through group instruction. Participants come from all around the world to take part in the Teacher Training/Professional Development program’s annual String Institute.


Duties and Responsibilities

  • Marketing, Public and Community Relations

    • Promote the public visibility, position and reputation of the organization through consistent and effective involvement with community leaders, government officials, prospective donors, faith-based institutions, business owners and others.

    • Manage the production of all communication vehicles, including newsletters and press releases, curriculum catalogs and advertisements.
  • Fundraising and Special Events

    • Contribute leadership and consistent involvement to resource development by identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors.

    • Provide management oversight for all special events.

    • Strengthen the school’s development and fundraising capacities.

    • Work with Board leadership and professional consultants, when engaged, oversee and devote considerable time to fundraising activities including cultivating relationship with and direct solicitation of key donors, including foundations, corporations and individuals.
  • Education and Artistic Programs

  • Provide direction and management of all education and artistic programs.

  • Financial, Facility and Human Resources Administration

    • Develop an annual operating plan and budget for Board approval, manage the plan’s implementation and keep the Board regularly informed of progress toward achievement of the plan’s goals.

    • Ensure that the organization operates within the parameters of financial, legal and ethical policies approved by the Board of Directors.

    • Sustain an organizational culture which attracts, motivates and retains high quality people, employing and evaluating the staff and faculty required to implement the organization’s annual and long-range plans.
    • Manage professional staff in support of day-to-day operations.

    • Ensure that short- and long-term facility matters are handled efficiently and effectively.

    • Implement and document sound financial and human resources process, procedures and practices.

  • Board of Directors

    • With the Chair of the Board of Directors develop goals, plans and meeting agendas for the Board of Directors; facilitate the effective functioning of all Board Committees.

    • Provide leadership to long-range planning activities, engaging key volunteers, faculty, staff and other constituents in developing strategic direction for the organization.

    • Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Directors, ensuring timely information flow, staff support for Committees and individual members, as needed.

    • Assist in the recruitment of additional Board members.

    • Support Board of Directors in the fundraising role.

Qualifications/Skills
  • A passion for the mission of Opus 118 Harlem School of Music.

  • A visionary leader with exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively interact with Board, faculty, staff, music schools leaders, arts community leaders, community representatives, donors and other key stakeholders.
  • Ability to multi-task, fundraise, be financially accountable, develop programs, initiate and maintain collaborative relationships and partnerships, build community within the organization, and become an integral part of the Harlem community.
  • An ability to articulate Opus 118’s mission, vision, core values and philosophy to a variety of constituencies is key.
  • Confident, intelligent and have the appropriate skills and presence to work in an effective, collegial and collaborative manner.
  • Experience working with boards, committees, key leaders and major donors is preferred.
  • Music education, music performance, music industry experience is a plus.
  • Executive level achievement in the fields of community schools of the arts, arts administration, music production or related fields are desirable.
  • Experience with organization building and start-up organizations a plus.
  • A Bachelors degree is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.


Salary

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Full-time employment includes health and dental benefits and an employee pension plan.

 

This position description is intended as a guide to the general job responsibilities and
is not inclusive of every duty an employee may be expected to perform.

 

Cover Letters and Resumes may be sent to:
Dorothea von Haeften, Chair, Board of Directors
Executive Director Search
Opus 118 Harlem School of Music
103 East 125th Street
New York, New York 10035
Facsimile: 212.831.5155
Email: jobs@opus118.org