About the Opportunity
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is embarking on a search to find their next Programs Director, a driven individual with a passion for new work and the creative process, an enthusiasm for engaging with artists across multiple disciplines, and exceptional producing and communication skills. A key leader within the organization, the Programs Director oversees the details that sustain and further the organization’s highly successful public programs, as well as the nationally recognized residency program. With the arrival of Andy Sandberg as the Artistic Director/CEO five years ago, the organization has flourished, growing exponentially in stature and programming. With this growth, the Hermitage has established and expanded dozens of new partnerships with other cultural organizations, public venues, and educational institutions throughout Sarasota County and across the United States; expanded its national and international commissioning initiatives; and established itself as a leading national arts incubator in theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, film, and more. In addition to maintaining an engaged Board and generous circle of supporters, the Hermitage has a devoted group of over 800 alumni artists who maintain deep appreciation for their residency experience and ongoing ties to the organization. The public enjoys year-round free programs – featuring some of the world’s leading creative talents – presented by the Hermitage on their historic beachfront campus and many other locations throughout the region. Through these wide-ranging events, audiences have the opportunity to experience the creative process and get a glimpse into the work being supported by and developed at the Hermitage Artist Retreat.
In summer of 2025, a new Programs Director will join the Hermitage team to continue implementing the Hermitage’s impactful programs for artists. The ideal candidate for this role should be enthusiastic about supporting some of the most innovative artists of our time, as they create new work in a diversity of disciplines. This individual will be eager to play a vital role in a fast-paced, energized, and rapidly growing arts organization that is looking to make a significant and sustainable impact in both the local community and the national artistic landscape. The job requires a high standard of excellence particularly in event management, with a strong ability to be responsive to the changing needs of artists as they present original work developed during their time at the Hermitage. Reporting to and collaborating closely with the Artistic Director/CEO, this role requires exceptional organizational skills, plus the ability to multitask and balance a steady stream of detail-oriented and deadline-driven projects. This is a full-time, on-site position in Sarasota County, Florida, working closely among a team of passionate, driven, and high-performing professionals.
About the Hermitage Artist Retreat
The Hermitage is a leading national arts incubator and a multidisciplinary artist retreat uniquely serving artists, the creative process, and the community. The mission of the Hermitage is to inspire and foster the most influential and culturally consequential art and artists of our time. Located on a nine-acre beachfront campus in Manasota Key at the southern tip of Sarasota County, Florida, we provide diverse and accomplished artists with multi-week residencies to create new works of theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, film, and more. Hermitage Fellows have frequently described their experiences as “life-changing” and “transformative,” regularly noting that they accomplish more in any two weeks at the Hermitage than they otherwise might in two years. Hermitage Fellows have included seventeen Pulitzer Prize winners, multiple Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy nominees and winners, Poets Laureate, MacArthur “Genius” and Guggenheim Fellows, and hundreds of extraordinary artists from around the world. The award-winning original works created at the Hermitage are presented in renowned concert halls, theaters, museums, and galleries throughout our region and across the globe. Audiences in the greater Sarasota region are offered a ‘sneak peek’ into the works and minds of these brilliant artists through the Hermitage’s free community programs, many of which are in collaboration with fellow arts and cultural organizations throughout Sarasota and neighboring counties. In addition to the unique and invaluable experience we provide to artists, we take pride in our complementary missions of historic preservation, ecological restoration, and dynamic community engagement.
The Hermitage is the only major arts organization in Florida’s Gulf Coast region exclusively committed to the development and creation of new work across all artistic disciplines.
About Sarasota County, Manasota Key, and Florida’s Gulf Coast
Sarasota County is one of the fastest growing economies in the country, with the arts playing a pivotal role in the culture, community, and prosperity of the region. While many are drawn to the breathtaking sunsets, visitors and residents alike greatly appreciate the access to vibrant cultural organizations and events, a range of outdoor activities, a deeply engaged philanthropic community, and a burgeoning food scene. Sarasota County continues to remain an attractive location for professionals and stands at #11 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live in the U.S. list. The Hermitage Artist Retreat and Manasota Key are located in Englewood in the southern part of Sarasota County, bordering nearby Charlotte County and close to the towns of Northport, Venice, and Port Charlotte.
Set against a unique historic and ecological backdrop, the Hermitage campus and offices offer a vibrant creative oasis within Florida, while making a national and global impact on the greater artistic landscape. Manasota Key is considered to be one of Florida’s most beautiful barrier islands, nestled among Siesta Key, Casey Key, and Boca Grande. Nearby cities/airports beyond Sarasota (SRQ) include Tampa (TPA), Fort Myers (RSW), and St. Petersburg (PIE).
About the Position
The Programs Director reports directly to the Artistic Director/CEO in support of the overall mission of the Hermitage. This position is responsible for ensuring the smooth and successful implementation and execution of year-round artist programs, which can be upwards of 50-60 events per year. Programs may include concerts, readings, theatrical presentations, open studios, visual art displays, multimedia presentations, lectures, workshops, school visits, and other formats – on the Hermitage campus and at partner organizations throughout our region. This position also manages and coordinates multiple collaborations with other arts, cultural, and educational institutions throughout the region and across the country. In addition, the Programs Director oversees the Hermitage’s core artist residency program and is responsible for ensuring a positive and enriching experience for visiting artists across all disciplines (90-100 per year), including special programs such as the family residencies, Florida teaching artists program, Cross Arts Collaborative, Hermitage Canada, and more. Finally, this individual will be responsible for managing the details of ongoing initiatives and commissions, including the Hermitage Greenfield Prize, Hermitage Major Theater Award, and other national programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage the logistics of all Hermitage programs, collaborations, and institutional partnerships, and any related communications surrounding the same, i.e., to “line-produce” the organization’s year-round artist programming.
- Coordinate and manage the smooth and successful operations of the Hermitage Greenfield Prize and Hermitage Major Theater Award commissions, and similar projects in development.
- Draft and create program descriptions for public-facing materials, coordinate the review of those materials with the various parties involved, and contribute to the editing and proofing of all applicable marketing and press materials related to Hermitage artists, public programs, and commissions.
- Manage the artist-in-residence program (with support from a residency coordinator), resulting in 90-100 diverse and accomplished artists in residence per year. This includes overseeing the scheduling of residencies; frequent artist communications; applicable travel, housing, and meals; and being present and available for their needs while in residence.
- Support and collaborate on the idea generation of public programming (led by the Artistic Director in collaboration with the artists-in-residence and partner organizations) to bring the concepts “to life” through developing detail-oriented plans for each program.
- Oversee and manage ongoing relations with Hermitage artist alumni/ae, as well as maintaining the artist database.
- Manage the operations of all program needs, including communications to the public, invitation lists, RSVP management, venue set-ups, check-in process, etc.
- Attend and participate in all Hermitage programs, special events, and other ‘all-hands-on-deck’ activities.
- Step in for the Artistic Director/CEO as needed to give talks and presentations about the Hermitage, and to introduce and moderate Hermitage programs.
- Manage educational partnerships and moderate any applicable school/education programs.
- Participate as needed in special projects at the direction of the Artistic Director/CEO.
Qualifications
- A passion for the Hermitage’s mission and the organization’s commitment to supporting artists, the creative process, and the community.
- Organizational and project-planning skills are paramount, as is the management, coordination, and ongoing expansion of multiple institutional partnerships.
- Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills; strong editing and proofreading skills are essential.
- A sense of ambition, initiative, and resourcefulness.
- Experience and knowledge surrounding the successful implementation of live events and programs (and occasional virtual events).
- The ability and experience to plan for both short-term programs and long-term initiatives.
- Capable of representing the interests of the Hermitage and the voice of the Artistic Director/CEO accurately to artists, partners, collaborators, and other constituents.
- Highly skilled in synthesizing information, and reporting concisely and clearly to the Artistic Director and other members of the team.
- The ability to take accurate notes, summarize and retain key information, and seamlessly translate into future communications.
- Knowledge of promotion, social media, marketing, branding, and all associated materials.
- Excellent interpersonal skills as a team player, at ease with a wide range of constituents and backgrounds.
- Adept at handling sensitive information with diplomacy and discretion.
- Demonstrated leadership and communication skills; strong oversight and management of support staff, contractors, and vendors.
- Flexible to work evenings and weekends, as needed, in support of artist programs, welcome dinners, and donor events on campus and throughout our region. (This role can anticipate at least 2-3 evening commitments per week.)
- Proficiency with management software, including database and communication tools.
- Proficiency with all Microsoft Office, Google G-Suite applications, Zoom, and other relevant applications.
- Design and video-editing skills a plus.
- Familiarity with Adobe suite of programs a plus (Acrobat, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.)
- Familiarity with Salesforce a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent, or higher.
Compensation
The salary for this position is $80,000-100,000. The Hermitage Artist Retreat provides comprehensive benefits, including providing access to insurance (health, dental, vision) and a matching IRA program, paid time off, and free and easy parking. A relocation stipend will be considered to support a move for this role.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is located on Manasota Key, Sarasota County, Florida. The offices are located in a renovated beach house on the Hermitage’s nine-acre campus, with ample space for the entire team and extraordinary views of the beach. The building also includes performance/studio space and a full kitchen. This is a full-time, on-site position; non-local candidates would be expected to relocate to the region.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, artists, guests, and members of our community.
Application Instructions
The Programs Director search is being conducted on behalf of the Hermitage Artist Retreat by Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, a New York-based executive search and consulting firm specializing in the arts and culture industries. The search is being led by Search Consultant Brenna Thomas, in consultation with and support from the TOCG search team.
To apply, visit the online application (https://tinyurl.com/4ds74rkd) and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.
Applications will be accepted until this role is filled. We encourage you to apply by June 23, 2025, for priority consideration. Interviews may begin at any time, and we encourage you to apply as early as possible for best consideration. Please note that applying before the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview, and all applicants will receive a response regarding the consideration and status of their candidacy. No phone calls, please.
A note from TOCG: Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re taking the next step in your career path, looking to transition, or returning to work after a gap in employment, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
