Employment

Job Title: Special & Community Event Coordinator

Classification: Full-Time, non-exempt, Year Round

Department: Development             

Reports to: Director of Development

Compensation:  $20.00-$23.00 (Hourly non-exempt)

Supervises: none

Location: Cooperstown, NY — Hybrid (in-person/remote) during the off-season is possible.

In-person is required during Festival season.

Internal applications will receive priority from:9/10/2025-9/24/2025 

Position Summary:

The Glimmerglass Festival seeks a Special & Community Event Coordinator, who will join the collaborative and dynamic Development team and play a supportive role in their efforts to achieve the Festival’s mission through various fundraising and community events throughout the year. 

The Coordinator will be the primary organizer in the planning and execution of the Festival’s annual events in New York City (annual Gala, donor appreciation and cultivation events), and during the Festival Season in conjunction with the Operations Team, in Cooperstown, NY (opening night parties, pre-show meals, intermission club, etc.). In addition, the Coordinator will be the primary liaison between the Festival and the Glimmerglass Opera Guild. This team member will provide important administrative, logistical, and clerical/general assistance to the development team.

The successful candidate will be required to work in-person in Cooperstown, NY from June to August. During the off-season, periodic trips to New York City will be required. A hybrid work model is possible from September through May.

Responsibilities:

• Event Planning & Execution: Develop timelines, manage event details, and oversee the successful execution of events from start to finish. 
• Logistics Management: Handle all logistical aspects, including coordinating with venues, vendors, caters, and staff. 
• Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for donors, manage lists, draft event collateral (i.e. invitations, programs, place cards, etc.), tracking responses and following up with donors as needed.
• Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and vendors through event participation and follow-ups. 
• Post-Event Management: Conduct post-event evaluations, follow-ups, and financial reporting to assess success and inform future strategies.
• Participate in Intermission Club duty during the Festival season to facilitate guest tracking and ensure a positive guest experience.
• Glimmerglass Guild Support: Serve as primary company contact for the Guild of Glimmerglass Festival, including but not limited to assisting with on-campus event logistics during the season and virtual event logistics in the off-season, and attending monthly Board meetings (April-November in-person, December-March virtual) and presenting a company report. 
• A commitment to contributing to an inclusive working environment is required.
• Miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
• One year of professional and/or administrative experience preferably in development/fundraising or event support
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and problem-solve to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and experience with at least one donor database (Salesforce / Patron Manager preferred)
• Understanding of physical mass mailings and electronic Word mail merges
• Capacity to work well in teams and collaborate across internal departments/teams
• Should be available to work evenings and weekends, as required

The Glimmerglass Festival offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to our full-time employees including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Employer contributions to the 403(b) plan after two years of employment
• Generous paid time off

To apply, please prepare a one-page Cover Letter and a Resume (including three references) in a single PDF document.

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 September 10, 2025