Wexford Festival Opera seeks
Business Development Manager
& Box Office Manager

Wexford Festival Opera is widely recognised as Ireland’s most prestigious cultural event, with an unrivalled international reputation attracting Opera lovers and the media from across the globe to the annual eighteen day festival.

Now in its 57th year the organisation has entered an unprecedented stage in its development, as it prepares to move into its new home, the state-of-art Wexford Opera House, which will be one of Europe’s most modern and best equipped multi-artform performing centres.

As a crucial part of the organisation’s long term development plan, the Wexford Festival Trust wishes to make the following two senior appointments:

Business Development Manager

Reporting to the CEO the Business Development Manager will be responsible for identifying all income generating opportunities for the company and successfully exploiting all such revenue streams to maximise the company’s annual income earning capacities.

The position will involve the following key responsibilities:

To devise and implement a marketing plan for the company, including policies to maximise the profile of Wexford Festival Opera and Wexford Opera House amongst the current and potential funding sector, the media, the arts and entertainment community, and the public.

To clearly identify new business opportunities and all possible future income streams for the company and to play a lead role in implementing a plan, including presentations to current and potential funders, to maximise the income from all such sources:

corporate/sponsorship;
state & local government;
public bodies;
non-commercial/grants/donations/philanthropic income;
sales income.

To develop and manage the implementation of WFO’s fundraising strategy, to secure a regular and sustainable source of income annually.

To build innovative partnerships with current and future funders and to provide leadership in the delivery of first class funder care, including the creation of tailor-made proposals for prospective funders.

To manage income and expenditure budgets and provide regular and accurate forecasts.

At least three years’ experience in a senior marketing, sponsorship and fundraising role in the commercial sector is required for this position. An attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience will be offered to the ideal candidate. A knowledge of opera, although preferable, is not essential for this position.

Box Office Manager

Reporting to the CEO the Box Office Manager will be responsible for managing on an ongoing basis all box office operations for Wexford Festival Opera and Wexford Opera House.

Key responsibilities and skills will include:

The initial setting up and ongoing management of the WFO/WOH box office.
A thorough knowledge of the organisation’s online booking office system

The supervision of box office staff

Dealing with customer queries

A comprehensive knowledge of payment methods and sales processing.

The compilation on an ongoing basis of box office sales data

Liaising with all box office IT, payment services and ticketing suppliers.

A knowledge of developments in the booking office systems market.

At least two years’ experience in a similar position is required for this position.
An attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience will be offered to the ideal candidate.

Applications in writing for the above positions, to include a covering letter, CV and references, should be forwarded by post to:

The Interim Chief Executive
Wexford Festival Opera
49 North Main Street
Wexford

Or by e-mail to: dml@wexfordopera.com

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, March 7th, 2008.

The Wexford Festival Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

Grant Aided by the Arts Council.