Director of Marketing

OPERA America, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid vacation

Holidays

Sick leave

Job summary

Washington Concert Opera seeks a Director of Marketing to oversee Marketing, Communications and Patron Services, driving revenue growth and expanding the audience in the DC area and opera community. The role partners with the Executive Director to shape long-term strategies and strengthen the organization’s brand.

The position requires collaboration across departments, strong marketing and fundraising tech skills, and a passion for the performing arts. Some nights/weekends work is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience leading marketing and development in nonprofit or arts sectors.
• Ability to manage revenue goals and donor relations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with pricing, audience development and brand strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and build strategic communications and patron services in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Set and achieve revenue goals and develop strategies to report progress.
• Lead strategic subscription and single ticket pricing to optimize capacity and meet sales goals.
• Establish and maintain best practices, policies and procedures aligned with WCO priorities.
• Ensure brand cohesion and consistent messaging in external materials and events.
• Lead new branding efforts to advance the organization.
• Develop multi-year growth and sustainability plans with Executive Director.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Patron Manager Salesforce

Ticketing software

Google Ads

Meta Advertising

Fundraising technologies

Integrated database systems

Tools

Patron Manager/Salesforce

Ticketing Software

Job description

About Washington Concert Opera

Founded in 1986, Washington Concert Opera has shaped the way concert opera is presented in the DC area.

Washington Concert Opera produces high quality, seldom performed masterpieces of the operatic repertoire in concert form at the company’s artistic home, Lisner Auditorium of George Washington University. WCO has been revered as, “integral to the musical fabric of the city” (The Washington Post) and praised by Opera News for, “performances of the highest order.”

Washington Concert Opera has performed over 70 operas in concert format, with a roster of world-renowned artists including Lawrence Brownlee, Renée Fleming, Tamara Wilson, Angela Mead, Erin Morley, Ailyn Perez, Ben Heppner, Lauren Snouffer, and more.

Scope & Principal Accountabilities

The Director of Marketing will play a critical role in the growth of Washington Concert Opera. This position is responsible for strategic oversight of the external-facing functions of the company — including Marketing, Communications and Patron Services — in achieving the revenue goals of the organization. Serving as a key partner to the Executive Director, the Director of Marketing works to create long term strategies for expanding the company’s audience base, while continuing to broaden the brand and reputation of the organization across the District of Columbia and throughout the opera industry. This position promotes deep collaboration between departments to engage people with the artform and to create greater impact in the community.

Essential Functions (80%)

Marketing, Sales

Lead and build strategic communications, and provide quality patron services In partnership with the Executive Director. Set and achieve revenue goals, create and implement strategies and tactics to regularly report progress, while balancing short- and long-term financial goals of the organization..

Lead strategic subscription and single ticket pricing to ensure capacity is optimized and ticket sales goals are achieved

Establish and maintain best practices and professional standards, policies and procedures in alignment with WCO’s priorities

Ensure brand cohesion and appropriate constituent/stakeholder messaging in external materials and events

Recommend and lead new branding efforts, as appropriate, for the advancement of the organization

Develop multi-year growth and sustainability plans, including marketing campaigns, to ensure the long-term fiscal health of the organization in collaboration and with the engagement of the Executive Director

Act as liaison with all departments to facilitate the effective marketing of all company key initiatives,ensuring that patrons receive key messaging at the correct time

Facilitate the successful stewardship of the Executive Director’s portfolio of donors through timely and strategic requests for support

In partnership with all staff, create and implement a comprehensive approach to audience, donor, community, and volunteer development, consistent with our values and goals, an annual work plan to support the operating and capital needs of WCO

Values-aligned Leadership (20%)

Serve as thought leader in partnering with other company leadership to align the opera’s programming and partnerships to its mission and vision, demonstrated by measurable positive impact for everyone we serve

Adhere to company, federal, state and local business requirements, and compel compliance

This position is a good fit for someone who

Possesses excellent computer literacy and broad-experience with Microsoft Office, Patron Manager/Salesforce or Ticketing Software, Google Ads, Meta Advertising and other fundraising and marketing technologies and integrated database systems.

Exercises good judgment; has marketing and/or development experience in the non-profit or arts sector; demonstrates an understanding of ethics related to revenue generation activities and community-centered practice; and uses discretion when building internal and external relationships

Has demonstrated experience in reaching revenue goals for non-profit institutions

Is comfortable talking about money. Understands the complexity of financial planning and fiscal management, including grants management and restricted funds release management

Possesses exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with senior leadership, patrons, donors, and board members and other volunteers in a wide range of roles in small and large groups; demonstrate patience with a wide variety of personality types and build effective long-term relationships

Expresses clearly and beautifully verbally and in writing

Exudes a positive attitude

Leads by example, consistently showing initiative, diligence and follow through

Enjoys their work as a team player, while balancing work independently and as a self-starter in a collaborative environment

Is knowledgeable about community-centered best practices in the field

Effectively manages multiple complex projects while meeting multiple deadlines

Fosters a cooperative work environment

Models integrity, openness, and trust

Is passionate about and committed to the performing arts and their importance in our world

WCO is willing to teach

Intricacies of opera as a collaborative artform

Industry-specific procedures around artmaking, staffing, and scheduling

Special Requirements

Ability to work some nights and weekends.

Desired Start Date

November 16, 2026

BENEFITS

Pay Range: $75,000 - $90,000 Annual

Washington Concert Opera offers a generous benefit package, including medical insurance, as well as paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.

Priority consideration will be given to those who apply by October 30, 2026.