Festival Director
Job posted by ODGERS
Festival Director
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is one of Ireland's leading cultural festivals, presenting world-class opera, classical music and cultural events across the historic Blackwater Valley. Founded in 2010, it attracts audiences from across Ireland and internationally while making a significant contribution to the cultural, tourism and economic life of the region.
As the Festival enters an exciting new phase of growth, the Board is seeking to appoint an outstanding Festival Director to help shape and deliver its 2030 vision. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on, relationship-led leader to join a highly respected, philanthropy-led organisation, working closely with the Board and Artistic Director to drive fundraising, audience engagement, strategic development and operational excellence.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering the Festival to the highest artistic, operational and financial standards.
- Leading fundraising and stakeholder engagement activities across philanthropy, sponsorship and public funding, building strong relationships with donors, patrons, sponsors, funders and strategic partners.
- Supporting audience development, education and community engagement initiatives.
- Leading a small, committed team and coordinating a broad network of partners, contractors and volunteers.
- Ensuring strong governance, financial management and organisational effectiveness.
The ideal candidate will bring:
- Significant experience in arts, cultural, visitor-facing, fundraising or not-for-profit environments.
- A strong track record in fundraising, philanthropy and relationship management.
- Experience delivering festivals, cultural programmes or audience-facing events.
- Strategic leadership, commercial judgement and organisational capability.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
- A collaborative, pro-active and hands-on leadership style.
Odgers Ireland has been exclusively retained to manage this appointment.
Candidates for this role will be sourced through both an advertised and executive search process.
For further information and details of how to apply, visit www.odgers.com/BVOFFD
Closing date for receipt of applications: 5pm Friday 7th August 2026.
