OperaDelaware · 2 days ago
General Director
Wilmington, DE
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$85K/yr - $115K/yrOperaDelaware, one of the nation’s oldest professional opera companies, seeks a bold, strategic, and visionary General Director to guide the organization into its next chapter of artistic excellence and community impact. The General Director will oversee artistic, administrative, and operational functions, set the company’s artistic vision, and ensure financial stability while deepening community engagement.
Music
Hiring Manager
Brendan Cooke
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
Qualification
Required
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
Company
OperaDelaware
OperaDelaware is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education.
Founded in 1945
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase