Passim is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Passim delivers a busy calendar of over 400 performances a year, alongside education and community programs. The organization, with the leadership of the Executive Director, board and staff, is currently focused on strengthening the funding model and internal systems needed for long-term sustainability. The Director of Operations role is designed to bring senior operational leadership to the organization, so that day-to-day execution is coordinated, communication pathways are clear, teams are well-supported, and priorities move forward with consistency. Additionally, the Director of Operations will be an integral part of building, strengthening, and maintaining the cultural stewardship of Passim, with both the internal and external community.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Operations will oversee a team of full time and contractor staff that includes the Club Manager, Hospitality Manager, School of Music Manager, Festival Director of the Boston Celtic Music Festival, and Curator of Music and Culture. The Director of Operations will serve on the organization’s leadership team, along with the Executive Director, Finance Manager, Development Manager, and Managing Director. The desired candidate will bring knowledge of effective nonprofit and organizational management practices, project management capabilities, the ability to think through operating models, and build strong relationships both internally and externally. By implementing effective operational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will help expand Passim’s capacity for partnerships, audience and community impact, and the fundraising relationships that fuel the mission.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
• Serve as an operational “center of gravity.” The Director of Operations will be a key strategic partner with the Executive Director and will take the lead on day-to-day operations so that key priorities and initiatives have clear owners, timelines, and follow-through. This role will also steward effective organizational practices and culture to ensure core policies and processes are standardized to support long-term organizational stability.
• Maximize partnerships to sustain and grow impact. The Director of operations will play a key role in determining how to sustain Passim’s commitment to paying artists well while balancing the budget and moving major projects along. This means identifying, developing, and nurturing new programs and partners that have potential to be strong drivers of both revenue and impact at a larger scale.
• Manage strategic planning implementation. Passim is revisiting its strategic plan and has already begun groundwork, including a brand summit and SWOT analysis with board and staff, in preparation for an update to the plan in the fall. The Director of Operations will join the organization during the strategic planning process, and will be instrumental in translating the strategy into an actionable plan and leading the implementation and ongoing benchmarking.
• Invest in people systems and culture. The Director of Operations will strengthen HR policies and core internal practices, while sustaining Passim’s close-knit culture. This includes responsibilities such as updating the employee handbook, facilitating a consistent annual review cycle, providing clear expectations and training for staff development, and following through on DEIB commitments.
• Increase financial clarity and strengthen earned-revenue strategy. The Director of Operations will bring financial fluency to operational decisions, helping the team to decide where to focus limited resources. This may include program-level cost/benefit analysis, partnering with the part-time finance manager to continue improving budget transparency, and refining revenue models to balance mission and impact with long-term financial health.
• Lead change management with a spirit of collaboration and learning. Passim has a deep history, with teamwork and community serving as important pillars. To build a resilient and sustainable organization requires clear processes and thoughtful evolution. The Director of Operations will help lead change in a collaborative, transparent way, clarifying roles, investing in employee development, and following through on key priorities and commitments.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
• Strategic and operational leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven organization
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to move major initiatives from planning to execution
• Financial acumen, including experience reading, building, and managing budgets
• Ability to assess operating models, program mix, and revenue opportunities with a strategic lens
• Experience developing partnerships and earned-revenue opportunities
• Excellent people-management skills and high emotional intelligence
• Ability to navigate change, build trust, and manage through organizational complexity
• Experience strengthening systems, processes, and staff accountability
• Strong communication, listening, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and thoughtful organizational culture-building
• Broad generalist experience across operations, strategy, and administration
• Arts administration or comparable mission-driven leadership experience, ideally in a performing arts, cultural, nonprofit, or similar setting
• Familiarity with booking and artist management preferred
COMPENSATION AND LOCATION
The salary for this position is $90,000. While Passim currently offers a fairly flexible work schedule, the Director of Operations is expected to have a regular presence in the office and club, ensuring visibility and accessibility with both staff and the community. Periodic travel for music and cultural events and network building is expected.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/passim/director-operations
Internship Opportunity: Intern to the Festival Director — Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest)
Presented by Club Passim
Location: Remote (Boston-based applicants preferred but not required)
Dates: October – mid-January (3.5 months)
Time Commitment: ~10 hours per week
Compensation: Unpaid; college credit available
About BCMFest:
The Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest), presented by Club Passim, is an annual celebration of the rich heritage of Celtic music and dance, showcasing local and regional artists in venues across Cambridge and Somerville. The festival will take place January 14–17, 2027.
Position Overview:
BCMFest seeks a motivated and organized intern to work closely with the Festival Director. This is a hands-on learning opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes experience in arts administration and festival production. The intern will support a wide range of festival operations with a focus on marketing, volunteer coordination, and on-the-ground event assistance during the festival weekend.
Responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the Festival Director in planning and executing marketing strategies (social media, graphic design, email newsletters, outreach, etc.).
- Assist with recruiting, scheduling, and managing festival volunteers.
- Attend and contribute to weekly check-in calls with the Festival Director and bi-monthly committee meetings.
- Be on-site during the festival weekend (January 14–17) to help ensure smooth operations, particularly with the volunteers and assistance to the Festival Director.
- Other tasks as needed to support the success of BCMFest.
Qualifications:
- Interest in Celtic or Folk music, arts/music festivals, or nonprofit arts administration.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
- Reliability and commitment to meet deadlines.
- Availability for weekly virtual meetings and flexible hours leading up to the festival.
- Must be available and present for the duration of the festival (January 14–17).
To Apply:
Please submit a brief cover letter and resume outlining your interest and relevant experience to Summer McCall (Festival Director) at bcmfest@passim.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Thanks for your interest in joining Team Passim! We have no further job openings at this time.
