Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Aspen Music Festival and School - Aspen, CO
Aspen Music Festival and School seeks a Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to play a leadership role in ensuring excellence in the operation of the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) across a wide range of responsibilities. The COO will work in close collaboration with the President and CEO, the board of directors, and various departments to support the achievement of AMFS’s strategic priorities, operational goals, and financial health. The COO will be deeply engaged in the implementation of AMFS's strategic plan and annual budgeting process, overseeing the allocation of fiscal and human resources, financial modeling, and progress tracking. This role demands a blend of acute financial acumen, strategic foresight and operational execution, and understanding of the human resources function, including compensation, hiring practices, and adherence to employment laws. Additionally, the COO will serve as a key partner in working with the board of director’s management of the institution’s $90 million endowment. The COO also is responsible for assessing organizational risk and implementing mitigating measures. The COO will engage with a range of external and internal stakeholders, from fund managers and city officials to internal staff and faculty, ensuring that AMFS's operational and financial practices align with the institution’s mission and goals. The ability to develop collaborate internal and external relationships, foster an inclusive and welcoming environment, optimize resources, and drive long-term sustainability is paramount to success in this position.
Founded in 1949, AMFS is regarded as one of the leading classical music festivals in the world, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of mostly young-adult students. The typical eight-week summer season includes more than 300 classical music events — including concerts by three orchestras, solo and chamber music performances, fully staged opera productions, master classes, lectures, and children’s programming — and brings in 70,000 audience members. In the winter, the AMFS presents a small series of recitals and runs programming for music education in local schools. AMFS is a leader among Aspen’s extraordinary group of cultural and humanistic nonprofits. The Aspen Institute is an internationally important organization; Aspen Art Museum is nationally recognized and celebrated; AspenFilm, Theatre Aspen, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, the Aspen Center for Physics, and many other groups sustain an unparalleled climate for philanthropy and engagement. AMFS has long-standing partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies, including the City of Aspen, Colorado Creative Industries, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Aspen is internationally renowned as a destination for outdoor sports, both winter and summer.
"Following our inspiring 75th anniversary season in 2024, Aspen Music Festival and School is in a strong position for future growth. In December 2023, our board approved a five-year strategic plan which focuses on securing our future with capital improvements, endowment funding, and increased student aid. We are in the nucleus phase of a capital campaign to support these new initiatives, and we already have very strong assurances of success. The Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will have the opportunity to participate in shaping this campaign and strategizing its execution. Our history of extraordinary financial management and highly favorable ratio of endowment to operating budget provide a great platform for continuing achievement." — Alan Fletcher, President and CEO
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
Founded in 1949, AMFS is regarded as one of the leading classical music festivals in the world, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of mostly young-adult students. The typical eight-week summer season includes more than 300 classical music events — including concerts by three orchestras, solo and chamber music performances, fully staged opera productions, master classes, lectures, and children’s programming — and brings in 70,000 audience members. In the winter, the AMFS presents a small series of recitals and runs programming for music education in local schools. AMFS is a leader among Aspen’s extraordinary group of cultural and humanistic nonprofits. The Aspen Institute is an internationally important organization; Aspen Art Museum is nationally recognized and celebrated; AspenFilm, Theatre Aspen, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, the Aspen Center for Physics, and many other groups sustain an unparalleled climate for philanthropy and engagement. AMFS has long-standing partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies, including the City of Aspen, Colorado Creative Industries, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Aspen is internationally renowned as a destination for outdoor sports, both winter and summer.
"Following our inspiring 75th anniversary season in 2024, Aspen Music Festival and School is in a strong position for future growth. In December 2023, our board approved a five-year strategic plan which focuses on securing our future with capital improvements, endowment funding, and increased student aid. We are in the nucleus phase of a capital campaign to support these new initiatives, and we already have very strong assurances of success. The Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will have the opportunity to participate in shaping this campaign and strategizing its execution. Our history of extraordinary financial management and highly favorable ratio of endowment to operating budget provide a great platform for continuing achievement." — Alan Fletcher, President and CEO
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.