Executive Director

Musical America; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Opera Project, a dynamic LA-based opera company, seeks an Executive Director to lead fundraising, finances, and strategic growth. The role requires building major donor relationships, guiding campaigns, and serving as the public face of POP with the board, staff, and community.

You will shape POP's financial health, partner with the board, and cultivate collaborations across the LA arts ecosystem, while sustaining artistic ambition and long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

• Experience soliciting and closing major gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Proven track record in building enduring institutional partnerships.
• Strong strategic planning and financial acumen.
• Experience with nonprofit governance and board relations.
• Knowledge of opera or classical music is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising and donor relationships as POP's principal ambassador.
• Oversee budgeting, cash flow, forecasting, and audits.
• Develop strategic plans and pursue growth opportunities.
• Cultivate partnerships across the LA arts ecosystem.
• Hire, supervise, and develop senior staff; manage board relations.
• Represent POP at performances, donor events, and community programs.

Skills

Major gift solicitation

Donor relationship management

Strategic planning

Board engagement

Fundraising campaigns

Nonprofit leadership

Communication with donors

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Job description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Founded in 2011, Pacific Opera Project (POP) reimagines opera as an affordable adventure by making unforgettable, entertaining performances accessible for all. We envision that opera will become a greater part of popular culture as we develop a diverse community of opera lovers and further the careers of talented creators through bold, inspiring performances. Now in its 16th season, POP has earned a national reputation for bold productions, imaginative direction, and a joyful approach to the art form. The Los Angeles Times recently included POP among the "Best of 2024 in Classical Music." POP presents a dynamic mix of reimagined classics, rediscovered gems, and groundbreaking new productions in venues ranging from outdoor gardens and historic theaters to intimate clubs and community spaces. With frequently sold-out performances, a devoted and expanding audience, and enthusiastic critical acclaim, POP is widely recognized as one of the most exciting opera companies in the country.POP is in a period of significant organizational growth. Since 2023, the organization has nearly doubled to a budget of $1.47M in FY27. POP has established its first-ever endowment and secured transformative multi-year foundation support, building the financial infrastructure to match the company's artistic ambition. The new Executive Director joins a healthy, well-positioned organization with real momentum, and the opportunity to lead its next chapter of growth.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Board of Directors and the Founding Artistic Director & CEO, and working in close partnership with him, the Executive Director leads development, finance, and strategic advancement for Pacific Opera Project, ensuring artistic ambition is matched by institutional strength and long-term sustainability. This role calls for a magnetic organizational ambassador, a courageous fundraiser, a disciplined financial steward, and a strategic mind with an understanding of POP's unique brand and a deep knowledge of the performing arts, especially opera and classical music — equipped to guide the organization through its next chapter of growth. The Executive Director serves as POP's principal fundraiser and steward of its most significant donor and funder relationships, while overseeing finance, institutional awareness, and organizational partnerships, and fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration across the staff. This is a deep generalist leadership role: the Executive Director moves fluidly between high-level strategy and hands-on execution, balancing big-picture vision with the day-to-day work of running an ambitious organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Donor Relationships

• Serve as POP's principal fundraiser, holding and cultivating the organization's most significant donor and institutional funder relationships
• In partnership with the Director of Development & Patron Engagement, lead the annual fundraising campaign, fundraising calendar, and major gifts strategy
• Personally lead relationship-building with POP's major donors and funders, from cultivation through stewardship
• With the Director of Development & Patron Engagement and the Grant Writer, oversee grant strategy and reporting, ensuring compliance and timely submissions

Financial Stewardship

• Own organizational budgeting, cash flow projections, and financial forecasting
• Partner with the board treasurer and bookkeeper/accountant to ensure accurate, timely financial reporting, and complete annual financial audits
• Prepare financial reports for the Finance Committee and board meetings
  Monitor organizational financial health and make strategic resource allocation decisions
• Board Relations
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors, preparing board reports and facilitating board engagement
• Partner with the board on governance, committee structure, and board development
• With the Chair of the Development & Nominating Committee, lead board recruitment strategy
• Ensure timely, transparent communication between staff leadership and the board

Strategic Growth & Advancement

• Lead organizational strategic planning and track progress against multi-year goals
• Identify and pursue opportunities for organizational growth, including new revenue streams, partnerships, and institutional positioning
• Cultivate and manage key organizational partnerships across the LA arts ecosystem
• Serve as the public face and ambassador of POP at performances, donor events, and community functions
• Partner with the Marketing Manager to oversee brand strategy and expand POP's visibility and reach across the LA arts community

People & Culture

• Lead hiring, evaluation, and management of senior staff, with full authority over staffing decisions
• Directly supervise and guide staff, providing clear direction and accountability across the organization
• Cultivate a workplace where staff feel trusted, connected to POP's mission, and supported in doing their best work
• Lead the team with consistency and transparency, modeling the collaborative, generalist spirit expected of all POP staff
• Support staff growth and retention within a small, high-performing team
• Collaborate with the board and 360 Review Committee to administer annual 360 reviews

WHO YOU ARE

• You are an experienced nonprofit leader with a track record of soliciting and closing major gifts of $100,000 and above, and building lasting institutional partnerships
• You are comfortable initiating donor and board conversations alike, and making courageous, thoughtful asks
• You can think strategically about the organization's future and execute the work yourself, moving fluidly between vision and hands-on leadership
• You are an excellent communicator, comfortable writing copy and collaborating with a grant writer to shape institutional messaging
• You are energized by data — financial, fundraising, and audience — and know how to read it, act on it, and communicate what it means to a board
• You have a strong understanding of nonprofit finance; experience with QuickBooks Online is a plus
• You have experience working in the world of opera and/or classical music, and can communicate that enthusiasm authentically to patrons and donors
• You take great care to build a positive, collaborative, and transparent working environment for your team
• You are flexible and responsive, able to make clear decisions and move nimbly as the organization grows
• You thrive leading a small, high-performing team where everyone owns both strategy and execution

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation and portfolio management
• Experience partnering with a Board of Directors on governance, strategic planning, and board development
  Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
• Familiarity with patron development models and audience engagement strategy
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a portfolio of relationships without losing the personal touch
• High-level marketing and branding awareness, with knowledge of how to position an organization for brand growth and impact
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to write compelling donor-facing and organizational content
• A genuine passion for the performing arts and deep knowledge of opera or classical music
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for performances, board meetings, donor events, and community programs
• Comfort with technology and the ability to learn multiple platforms