Major opera house seeks director (The catch? Must speak Finnish)

Job specs:

The Finnish National Opera and Ballet in Helsinki is looking for a new General Director. The current General Director, Päivi Kärkkäinen, will retire in spring 2018, and her replacement will be expected to take up the post at the beginning of 2018. The recruitment process will begin in January 2017.

Applicants are expected to be have management experience, vision and an appreciation of culture. The principal duties of the General Director will include implementing strategy, achieving a solid funding base, securing the operational potential of the FNOB and identifying future opportunities. The General Director of the FNOB is also a major opinion leader in the field of Finnish culture. The General Director is responsible for overall management of the entire organisation; the Artistic Directors of the Opera and the Ballet report to him or her.

“The FNOB is in excellent shape artistically, financially and administratively. Päivi Kärkkäinen has done a great job in reforming and leading the company, and her contribution to the wonderful state the FNOB is in today is exceptionally remarkable,” says Leena Niemistö, chairman of the Board of Directors. Päivi Kärkkäinen took up her post nine years ago, in December 2007.