Director of Artistic Operations

Stagetime Inc.; Phoenix, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Opera seeks a Director of Artistic Operations to join its leadership team in Phoenix. The role oversees the Artistic Department across mainstage productions, workshops, and studio programs, driving artistic vibrancy and community impact.

Lead budgeting, casting coordination, and union relations, while aligning with strategic plans to sustain artistic excellence and education initiatives statewide.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of opera and related repertoire.
• 5+ years artistic administrative experience preferred.
• Experience with contract negotiations and budget creation/tracking.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Artistic Department involvement in mainstage productions, workshops and programs.
• Lead budgeting, cash flows, and reporting for artistic operations.
• Negotiate artist contracts and manage artist relations with unions (AGMA, AFM).
• Coordinate rehearsal calendars with production and music teams and ensure clear communications.

Skills

Opera knowledge

Artistic administration

Contract negotiation

Budgeting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Docs

Operabase

Job description

Arizona Opera is seeking a highly creative, communicative, organized, and dedicated Director of Artistic Operations to join its leadership team as the company builds on its 50+ year legacy toward a vision centered on community, education, collaboration, artistic excellence and innovation.

Founded in 1971, Arizona Opera is a cornerstone of the arts and culture community in Arizona, serving both Phoenix and Tucson with a mission to connect and inspire its communities through artistically vibrant programs and productions that combine music, storytelling, and the human voice. Over the years, Arizona Opera has become known for its innovative productions, prolific education and community-centric programming, and commitment to both classic and contemporary works.

At the heart of Arizona Opera's vision is a deep commitment to creating transformative experiences through the power of opera. This commitment is evident in Arizona Opera's mainstage productions, its community engagement initiatives, and its education programs that reach across the state, bringing the art form to diverse audiences and inspiring future generations of artists and opera lovers alike.

Like many performing arts organizations around the country, Arizona Opera is navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape, including issues affecting attendance and contributed income. To address these challenges, Arizona Opera has recently adopted a new strategic plan, focused on financial and organizational sustainability, education, community engagement and collaboration.

Now in its 18th year, the Marion Roose Pullin Arizona Opera Studio plays an essential role in Arizona Opera’s artistic profile, bridging the gap between academic studies and a professional career. Studio Artists are in residence throughout the season, performing both on the main stage and across Arizona, while receiving well-rounded personalized instruction designed to propel each artist to the next stages of their career. Alumni of Arizona Opera’s Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio regularly appear with leading opera companies throughout the world.

Job Title: Director of Artistic Operations
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Artistic
Reports To: President and General Director
FLSA Status: Not Eligible for OT (Exempt)
Classification: Full-time
Salary range: $75-85,000, commensurate with experience

The Director of Artistic Operations (the “Director”) will be a key member of Arizona Opera’s leadership team, working closely with the President and General Director to maximize the company’s artistic vibrancy and excellence, continually increasing Arizona Opera’s civic value for the benefit of the communities it serves.

As the Director of Artistic Operations, the Director oversees the Artistic Department’s involvement in all opera productions, workshops, and other programs, including providing support to other departments as needed for their artistic needs. The Director leads departmental budgeting, collaborates with the President and General Director on auditions and casting, and manages all relations with artist unions (i.e., AFM and AGMA).

The Director also provides administrative oversight of the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio Artists and collaborates with the President and General Director and the company’s Head of Music in the selection of the Studio Artists, in order to develop the optimal pathway for artistic and professional growth for each Studio Artist, including casting within each Arizona Opera's mainstage season.

Essential Functions as Director of Artistic Operations

• Research ideas for repertoire, directors, conductors, singers etc. in collaboration with the President and General Director and company leadership
• Screen artist materials and identify and recommend potential singers for future productions
• Coordinate artistic initiatives with the President and General Director, in alignment with Arizona Opera's strategic plan
• Lead the preparation of the Artistic and Studio budgets, cash flows, and other reporting as needed
• Negotiate artist contracts and extend offers with agents and independent artists
• Manage and oversee all matters related to travel/housing, as supported by the Production & Artistic Operations Manager
• Work with the Head of Music to ensure proper musical preparation for all mainstage productions, including the establishment of cuts, editions, and musical changes for each production, and ensure clear communication of such among the Artistic Department, casts, and creatives
• Work with the Production area to create the master rehearsal calendar and review and approve changes to the schedule
• Oversee and manage the Orchestra Manager and Orchestra Librarian, communicating with them regularly to ensure adherence to policies and support personnel management, in collaboration with the Head of Music
• Create orchestra and chorus schedules
• Oversee distribution of rehearsal notes in rehearsal room and in the theater
• Participate in mainstage auditions with the President and General Director and Head Of Music
• Work in conjunction with outward facing departments, including Education and Community Engagement, Marketing, and Development, to schedule performance opportunities for Studio, Mainstage Artists, Chorus Members or Singers from the community as needed
• Participate as a member of the management team for negotiations with artistic/music unions, including AGMA and AFM
• Coordinate repertoire with principal artists for ancillary events
• Attend events and performances and act as liaison to the artists

Essential Functions related to the Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio

• Serve as primary administrator of the Pullin Opera Studio to ensure the highest quality of mentorship for Studio Artists, working with the Head of Music to maximize the Artists’ career opportunities
• Work with the Head of Music to ensure the musical and linguistic development of the Studio Artists, including selecting guest faculty and arranging master classes, as well as collaborating with the President and General Director in the selection of Artistic Advisors for the program’s continued growth and strategic direction
• Lead the selection of Studio Artists, including the application process and pre-screening, working with the President and General Director and/or Head of Music on live audition tours and final artist selection
• Create and maintain the Pullin Opera Studio budget
• Maintain close contact with conductors to ensure highest musical standards for each production, including as it relates to the participation of the Studio Artists
• Speak at ancillary cultivation or performance related events as requested, including all Pullin Opera Studio events
• Support Arizona Opera’s Development Department on donor cultivation and events as needed
• Other duties as the company may assign

Supervisory Responsibility

• Production & Artistic Operations Manager (shared w/ Production)
• Marion Roose Pullin Studio Artists
• Head of Music/Chorus Director/Principal Coach of the Pullin Studio
• Orchestra Manager
• Orchestra Librarian

Reports To: President and General Director

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of opera as well as classical and musical theatre repertoire
• 5+ years artistic administrative experience preferred
• Experience with contract negotiations
• Budget creation and tracking
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Ability to multitask and ability to prioritize
• Familiarity with AGMA and AFM, including the Integrated Media Agreement, preferred
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Willingness to work on evenings and weekends, as needed
• Established relationships with industry professionals (Managers, Singers, Directors, Conductors and Apprentice Artists) who can enable Arizona Opera to reach its highest artistic potential

Competencies

• Energetic, forward thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and professional demeanor
• Strategic visionary with sound analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus
• Outstanding oral and written skills, comfortable with public speaking and able to give polished, detailed presentations to audiences of all sizes and from varying backgrounds
• Organized self-directed individual who is a team player
• Intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization
• Excellent communication, written and verbal skills
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive human relations matters
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Analytical skills and good judgment/decision making

Additional Skills

• Proficiency Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• Proficiency in Propared, Google docs, and/or similar systems a plus
• Proficiency in web-based research tools, particularly those related to artistic planning (e.g., Operabase)

Physical Demands

Extended periods at workstation, using a keyboard, viewing a computer screen and communicating by telephone and in person. Some special event set up and break down may be required. Must be able to drive a car.

Work Environment

The Arizona Opera office environment is generally quiet but intensifies during periods when the company is in production. Also, see Physical Demands section above re special events.

Travel/Other Requirements

Primary residency in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area is required. Reliable transportation required and must be able to travel statewide. Flexible schedule that will require working some nights and weekends to attend events, performances, rehearsals, etc. This position requires air travel.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Arizona Opera is an Equal Opportunity employer. Arizona Opera does not discriminate against an Employee or candidate for employment because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, engagements, assignments, training, discipline, termination, promotions or other conditions of employment or career development. We offer Reasonable Accommodations where necessary to candidates for employment and to our qualified employees with disabilities.