Description

Position Overview

The General Director serves as OperaDelaware’s chief executive and artistic leader, reporting to the Board of Directors. The General Director supervises senior staff, artistic and production personnel, and administrative teams. 

This position has overall responsibility for the organization’s artistic, administrative, and operational functions. The General Director sets the company’s artistic vision; leads programming and education initiatives; stewards donor, patron, and community relationships; and ensures the organization’s financial stability and long-term organizational health.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a compelling artistic identity, deepen community engagement, strengthen financial sustainability, and drive innovation in how opera is created, presented, and experienced. 

This is a highly visible role requiring a seasoned leader with deep artistic insight, business acumen, and exceptional relationship-building skills.

Key responsibilities 

Artistic leadership: Set and deliver a cohesive Main Stage and programmatic artistic vision that advances OperaDelaware’s mission and meets agreed artistic and financial targets. Defining and realizing an inspiring and cohesive artistic vision for the company is a significant component of the General Director’s responsibilities. 

Fundraising & external relations: Lead major gift solicitation, corporate and foundation cultivation, and public engagement to meet annual contributed revenue goals and broaden the donor base, dedicating significant time to donor identification and cultivation.

Financial & operational stewardship: Own the annual budget and financial planning, ensure compliance and risk management, and optimize use of physical assets to sustain long-term organizational stability.

Board partnership & governance: Advise and partner with the Board to shape strategy, provide timely information for decision-making, and support board development and recruitment.

People & culture: Recruit, lead, and retain high-performing administrative, artistic, and production teams; establish clear expectations and foster an inclusive, collaborative culture.

Community, education & audience growth: Serve as a visible and active ambassador for OperaDelaware throughout the community; expand partnerships, education and engagement initiatives to diversify audiences and increase access to opera across the region.

Requirements

Qualifications 

• Senior leadership experience in opera or comparable performing arts organizations 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance artistic integrity and financial stewardship
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and donor cultivation 
• Financial oversight experience, including budgeting and fiduciary responsibility 
• Strong board-facing experience and governance literacy 
• People leadership skills with experience building collaborative, inclusive teams 
• Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) and experience advancing IDEA in programming and organizational practice 
• Familiarity with regional performing arts ecosystems and community engagement strategies.
• Track record of audience development, education program growth, or innovative artistic partnerships
• Preferred experience negotiating artistic/venue contracts and working with labor partners