Executive Director

The Board of Trustees of the Moab Music Festival has launched a search for a new Executive Director. The Search Committee invites applications and nominations for the next leader who will advance the mission of the Moab Music Festival.

The Opportunity

The award-winning Moab Music Festival is known for its distinctive programming and performances of chamber music, jazz, and Latin music. A star-studded roster of artists perform at wilderness, outdoor, and historic venues unlike any other festival in the world.

The Moab Music Festival was founded in 1992 by New York-based musicians - violist and Artistic Director Leslie Tomkins, and pianist/conductor and Music Director Michael Barrett. They were instantly captivated by the red rocks of Moab and were inspired to combine the landscape with the joys of music-making.

The Moab Music Festival, from its inception, has been committed to music education and cultural enrichment in the Moab area. The Board and leadership of the festival is passionate about arts education, locally and nationwide, and works to reach all children in the Grand County schools, providing year-round education and engagement program to support, advise, and supplement local music education for all ages.

The Moab Music Festival was recognized with the Utah Arts Council’s Governor’s Award in the Arts, received First Prize for “Adventurous Programming” from the American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP), and received a Utah Governor’s Mansion Arts Award.

The Festival has been written up in such publications as The New Yorker, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone magazine, The Sunday Times of London, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, PBS Newshour, CBS News Sunday Morning and the Smithsonian magazine.

The Festival is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees and managed by a full-time and seasonal staff, supported by enthusiastic community volunteers, housing donors, and local and national businesses, foundations, and individuals.

Job Description

The Moab Music Festival (MMF or Festival) is seeking a knowledgeable, creative, driven Executive Director to lead the nationally recognized 32-year-old non-profit organization to fulfill its artistic, financial, and strategic mission. The position requires previous proven experience in non-profit organizations with a preference for non-profit arts administration.

Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the ED is responsible for implementing the vision of the strategic direction of the MMF board and vision of the Artistic Director, comprehensively directing its finances, and managing and overseeing the organization’s day-to-day activities and personnel. They will foster a collaborative environment for staff and artists.

Responsibilities

Board Collaboration

• Report to the Board President.
• Work in conjunction with artistic leadership.
• Assist in developing and executing the organization’s vision and strategic plans.
• Responsible for financial reporting to the Board of Trustees.

 Financial, Fiduciary, and Development

• Responsible for MMF financial management and financial health. The Festival has an annual $1.1M budget.
• Oversees the negotiation and management of artist, venue, and transportation contractual agreements and interacts with local and statewide governmental organizations (i.e. the Bureau of Land Management and National Parks).
• Works in conjunction with Development Director on fundraising.
• Participate in donor events, develop relationships with existing donors, and seek out potential new donors and board members in conjunction with the Board, Development, and Artistic Directors.

Mission, Values, and Brand 

• Ensure that values, mission and brand are reflected in all public facing aspects of Festival.

Operations and Program Management

• Ensure the operations and execution of the Festival is at the highest level and maintain its high-quality and national reputation.
• Responsible for human resource planning, fulfillment, and management.
• Lead and oversee a talented staff of 7-10 professionals.

Qualifications

The Executive Director (ED) must be a polished, educated, experienced non-profit leader and administrator. The ED reports to the Board President and Executive Committee and collaborates with the Artistic Director. The ED oversees and works collaboratively with the Development Director, Community Engagement Director, Artistic Coordinator, Festival Manager, and Operations Director frequently, along with Public Relations and Marketing Agency contractors.

Bachelor’s degree required and master’s degree preferred.

Proven track record in non-profit management with a preference for non-profit arts administration.

Proven financial acumen and proficiency in managing non-profit budgets.

Comfortable interfacing with artists, patrons, administration, the Board, and community members.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in public speaking and community engagement.

Enjoyment of the outdoors and ability to thrive in Moab’s unique environment.

Application and Nomination Process

Interested candidates are invited to contact M. Scott Mietchen of Fund Raising Counsel, Inc. (FRCI) for further information.

To submit an application please email the following items to Scott Mietchen at: scott.mietchen@frcigroup.com.

• Cover letter of application
• Resume
• List of five professional references with contact information

To nominate a qualified candidate, please send relevant information via email to: scott.mietchen@frcigroup.com

Review of applications will begin in early January, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled.

For more information about the position and application process, please contact:

M. Scott Mietchen, President & Managing Partner

Fund Raising Counsel, Inc. (FRCI)

scott.mietchen@frcigroup.com