Executive Director

National Opera Center; Modesto (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity for an arts leader to guide a thriving, community-rooted performing arts center into its next era—building on a strong artistic and civic legacy while strengthening the organization's financial foundation, programming, and community partnerships.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for GCA, overseeing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arts/nonprofit field required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of senior management experience in arts/nonprofit.
• Experience managing staff, volunteers, and multi-department teams.
• Proven track record in revenue generation and fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Center.
• Develop programming and oversee annual calendar.
• Lead fundraising, donor relations, and external affairs.
• Oversee marketing, community engagement, and audience development.
• Ensure operational efficiency and financial stewardship.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Fundraising

Budgeting

Staff management

Communication

Partnership development

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related

Master's degree in Arts Management or MBA

Job description

Gallo Center for the Arts via TOC Arts Partners

Network(s): General, Executive, & Artistic Directors

DESCRIPTION

Executive Director

About the Opportunity

The Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) seeks a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished arts leader to guide a thriving, community-rooted performing arts center into its next era — building on a strong artistic and civic legacy while strengthening the organization's financial foundation, programming, and community partnerships.

About the Gallo Center for the Arts

The Gallo Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts complex located in the heart of vibrant downtown Modesto, California. The Center features two indoor performance venues — the 1,248-seat Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the 440-seat Foster Family Theater, connected by a grand shared lobby — as well as year-round outdoor community programming in the Modesto Rotary Music Garden.

The mission of the Gallo Center is to enrich the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by providing an inspirational civic gathering place where regional, national, and international cultural activities illuminate, educate, and entertain. The Gallo Center celebrates the diversity of its community by offering an array of cultural opportunities designed to appeal to, and be accessible for, all.

For more information about the Gallo Center for the Arts, please visit GalloArts.org .

About Modesto, California

Halfway between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park and surrounded by some of the state’s richest farmland, the growing city of Modesto sits at the very heart of California and is the region’s cultural and agriculture center. Modesto is located in the center of the Central Valley surrounded by the Coastal Ranges and the Sierra Nevada, and close by, the numerous farmlands that produce a majority of several crops for the United States. Modesto has a Mediterranean climate, with cool to mild winters with moderate rainfall and warm, dry summers.

Cultural life in Modesto is as varied as its diverse population. In the heart of downtown you can see many of the 100 colorful street murals painted by international artists invited to Modesto as part of the annual DoMo Walls festival. Nationally known musicians and touring Broadway musicals come to town for performances at the Gallo Center for the Arts, sharing the spaces with established and valued resident companies presenting music, dance and theatre. Downtown Modesto hosts a monthly Art Walk, with local artists displaying art for sale, artist demos, local gallery shows, in a multi-venue map self-guided tour. And of course, the exciting food and wine scene of Modesto and the region is fueled by the central role Modesto holds in viticulture and agriculture that impacts the entire nation.

The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Gallo Center for the Arts. This role is responsible for overseeing programming, financial stewardship, development, marketing, and community engagement. The ED will also work in collaboration with the current Chief Operating Officer on a division of duties and responsibilities relating to the operation of the Gallo Center for the Arts. The Executive Director ensures that GCA presents high-quality performing arts and community events while maintaining sustainable business practices, and serves as the organization's primary ambassador to donors, civic leaders, artists, and the broader Modesto community.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide overall leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the Center, in alignment with the mission and goals established by the Board of Directors.
• In collaboration with senior staff and the Board, articulate the organization's strategic opportunities and craft the roadmap for the Gallo Center's next era, with particular attention to the priorities identified in the organization's new strategic plan.
• Ensure that the Center's stated values guide daily operations, with a keen focus on the care and well-being of staff, artists, volunteers and community members.
• Model and lead a culture of teamwork and shared responsibilities and accountability.
• Maintain productive communication among staff, leadership, volunteers and the Board to foster a culture of transparency and collaboration on issues ranging from finance to artistic philosophy.
• Formulate and recommend policies, procedures, and programs for Board consideration, and ensure accurate recordkeeping for all organizational activities.
• Provide leadership and direction to staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Strategic Direction

Programming & Artistic Curation

• Lead Gallo Center programming in keeping with the organization's mission, vision, and values, and oversee development, scheduling, and execution of the annual calendar of performances, events, and programs.
• Deepen the Center's understanding of its audience and community, applying a responsive approach to programming and community events.
• Nurture productive and supportive relationships with the Gallo Center resident companies and their patrons.
• Ensure the quality and viability of ongoing and new artistic programs and services.
• Engage the Board of Directors around the reach and impact of Gallo Center programs to strengthen their effectiveness as ambassadors for the organization.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize revenue generation through event programming, venue rentals, sponsorships, and partnerships, and identify new revenue streams to strengthen long-term financial sustainability.
• In collaboration with the COO, analyze and evaluate the Center's financial performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency and profitability. Invest in the Center's financial performance, including budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and revision, ensuring that budgets, revenue targets, and operational goals are met.
• Partner with the COO in preparation and review of financial reports and budget forecasts for the Board and other stakeholders.
• Support the COO and teams to ensure efficient facility operations and maintenance, preventive safety measures, and safe equipment, and lead capital planning initiatives for facility improvements, working with stakeholders to prioritize projects and secure funding.

Development & External Affairs

• Lead a strategic and expansive fundraising program in collaboration with the Board and senior staff, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors.
• Lead capital campaign, donor cultivation, and grant solicitation efforts as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with local businesses, community organizations, donors, and funding agencies to expand support for the Center's mission and goals.
• Represent the Gallo Center in negotiations with artists, promoters, and other stakeholders to secure high-profile performances and events.
• Champion the Gallo Center's vision and mission at public events and industry gatherings, locally and nationally.
• Participate actively in the Modesto-area arts and business community as a key artistic leader of the region.

Marketing & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop innovative promotional campaigns that drive ticket sales and attendance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and its resident companies, community partners, and the public, and act as a liaison between the Gallo Center and government entities, local businesses and arts organizations, and community groups.
• Lead outreach and educational initiatives to broaden access to the performing arts, and support and promote the reach and impact of these programs.

People & Organizational Culture

• Ensure efficient and professional management of all Center operations, including staff, budgets, and facilities.
• Set the tone for the supervision and evaluation of staff; ensure appropriate training is provided; handle sensitive personnel matters with discretion and in accordance with organizational policy.
• Actively support and respect diversity in the workplace.
• Perform other duties as assigned. This list of responsibilities is representative, not exhaustive.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field required; Master's degree in Arts Management, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline preferred. Additional professional development or certification in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or performing arts management is a plus.

Minimum of ten years of senior management experience, preferably in arts, cultural, or nonprofit organizations, including experience overseeing complex budgets and achieving revenue-generation goals.

Experience managing staff, volunteers, and contractors within a multi-departmental organization, and a track record of developing and implementing innovative programming that drives audience engagement and organizational growth.

Experience in a non-profit performing arts center or organization, bringing strong management skills with a human-centered focus and a track record of effective collaboration with staff, boards, and community members — leading while sharing authority and responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Comprehensive understanding of and experience in the performing arts industry, including programming, production, audience engagement, and community outreach, along with revenue-generation strategies and best practices in the field.

In-depth knowledge of nonprofit management, governance, reporting requirements, and fundraising strategies, and financial management understanding spanning budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis and reporting.

Strategic thinking, planning, and visioning skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop effective solutions, and guide organizational mission, long-term goals, and operational efficiency.

Strong leadership and management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, supervise, and motivate staff, volunteers, and resident companies.

Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to prepare and deliver effective reports and communications on complex information to staff, boards, donors, and community stakeholders.

Marketing, public relations, and audience-development skills to enhance visibility, engagement, and ticket sales.

Problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with the ability to lead a complex organization while balancing financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and artistic excellence.

Capacity to build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments, boards, donors, partners, and artists, including comfort and enthusiasm for engaging prospective donors and board members.

Creativity and innovation, with a demonstrated ability to advance the mission and goals of the Gallo Center, and experience with or knowledge of innovative ways to use performance spaces to better serve artists and community.

A long-term view of balancing artistic and programming goals with administrative capacity and financial feasibility, and an inquisitive, adaptable approach to tackling challenges in a rapidly changing environment.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout all organizational operations, and the ability to represent the organization publicly with professionalism, credibility, and enthusiasm.

Ability and willingness to work irregular and flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in alignment with performance and programming schedules.

Compensation

Salary range: $190,000 to 220,000, commensurate with experience.

The Gallo Center for the Arts offers a competitive compensation package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Accidental death and dismemberment and life insurance
• 529 college savings plan
• Long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Vacation, holiday, and sick pay

Benefits

Pay Range: $190,000 - $220,000 Annual

HOW TO APPLY

Application Instructions

The search for the Executive Director of the Gallo Center for the Arts is being conducted with the support of Cynthia Fuhrman of TOC Arts Partners, a New York–based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries, with an office in Portland, Oregon.

To apply, please visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should describe your relevant experience, including any direct experience with similar roles and institutions.

For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact [e-mail]. We kindly request no phone calls.

Specific questions about the position may be directed to: Cynthia Fuhrman, VP, Executive Search

The priority application deadline is August 25, 2026. Applications received by this date will be given priority consideration. Applications received after this date will still be accepted and considered; early application is encouraged for the best chance of consideration. Meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.