Pacific Opera Project
Los Angeles, CA
Pacific Opera Project
Managing Director
Position Functions and Expectations
Reporting – Managing Director reports to the Artistic Director.
The Managing Director of Pacific Opera Project is responsible for management oversight of the organization including design and implementation of all fundraising and development (audience and donor) activities; supervising all non-artistic staff; and working collaboratively with the Artistic Director to ensure the financial integrity and accountability of the organization. The Managing Director works in partnership with the Artistic Director to provide the vision and leadership necessary for fulfilling the mission of the organization.
Essential Functions:
This is a full-time, year-round position. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Executive/Leadership
- Contribute to creating a positive and creative environment for artists and staff.
- Makes policy, administrative, and management decisions concerning the daily operations of POP in conjunction with the Artistic Director.
- Monitors, surveys, and inspects various aspects of POP’s operations on a frequent and continuing basis to ensure high quality conditions and appearances, trouble shoot problems, recognize accomplishments and results
- Serve as Staff Liaison to the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, and Development Committee; planning and executing agendas, meetings and all corresponding materials. To oversee preparation and distribution of meeting minutes in a timely fashion.
- Develop and compile reports and analysis for use by the Board of Directors, various Committees, and the Executive Management team in order to promote good decision-making.
- Coordinate and advance long-range planning efforts.
- Develop and maintain relationships with Southern California arts leaders, grantors, and influential organizations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for POP over phone, email, and by mail.
Development
- Create and implement fundraising plan.
- Supervise all Development activities and personnel including but not limited to program expenses and achievement of all goals as they relate to Individual Giving, Sponsorships, and cultivation; Foundation and Government grant proposals and applications; Corporate gifts; and Special Event planning and implementation.
- Take primary responsibility in the preparation of financial material required to complete grants and work with the Grant Writer to find, submit, and report on grants.
- Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising and cultivation events.
- Attend all fundraising events.
Staff Management
- Supervise Accounting, Grant Writer, Front of House, Food and Beverage, Marketing, Education, and Company Manager in all areas of daily operation, including personnel and budgets.
- Develop and implement all Front of House policies ensuring the safety and comfort of visitors.
Human Resources/Personnel
- Take primary responsibility for identifying and advertising for needed staff positions; develop position descriptions, determine compensation
- Administer annual staff performance review processes as well as providing consistent and constructive feedback to improve staff performance and morale; exit interviews as appropriate.
- Determine annual compensation increases for non-Executive personnel.
- Maintain Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
- Coordinate and schedule regular staff meetings
Production
- With direction from the Artistic Director, take primary responsibility for the execution of singer, orchestra, conductor, designer, and guest director contracts through negotiation with artists and/or their representation.
- Negotiate agreements with performance venues, partnering organizations, and any other contracted organizations or individuals
- Secure insurance for each production and event
- Secure permits (liquor and other) as necessary
Financial Management and Reporting
- Develop, control, and monitor accounting procedures to support all financial preparation, reporting, and transactions including annual budgets, and payroll.
- Take primary responsibility for development and implementation of annual general operations budget for review and approval by Board of Directors.
- Work with the Artistic Director to develop production budgets
- Supervise the successful preparation all tax documents working with the Accountant.
- Review and schedule all payroll and production checks.
- Conceive of sales approaches to increase annual revenue.
- Ensures all state and local permits and licenses are in good standing.
These duties are not meant to be all-inclusive. As a small non-profit arts organization, all staff members are required to take on duties that are not apparent in their individual job description. It is expected that each employee will always strive to complete tasks necessary to keep the company operating successfully; even if that includes working in areas they are not accustomed to.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of the opera, classical music, and/or non-profit theatre industry
- Management experience
- Development experience
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize and shift swiftly between tasks
- Proficiency in basic office software applications
- Experience planning and executing complex projects
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and diplomacy
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Record of organizational leadership and follow-through
- Strong work ethic and a sense of urgency
SALARY/TERMS
$50,000; Option to work from home
Pacific Opera Project’s mission is to provide quality opera that is innovative, affordable, and entertaining in order to build a broader audience. Now entering its 10th season, POP has produced 35 fully staged productions since July of 2011 in venues all across Los Angeles. Named “Best Opera Company in LA” by LA Weekly in 2018, POP has emerged as a leading player in the Los Angeles classical music scene, as well a known quantity on the national opera stage. POP’s programming has varied from intimate five person operas in supper clubs, to grand operas with casts of over 50 at The Ford Ampitheatre. Particularly innovative productions include a Star Trek setting of Abduction from the Seraglio, a “moving” production of Tosca where each act took place in a different location, and a bilingual production of Madama Butterfly sung in Japanese and English, as if the story were actually happening. POP regularly sells out entire runs of productions and currently reaches around 1500 patrons per run. While doubling the general operating budget over the past three years, POP has continued to support production budgets primarily through ticket sales (70%+). A typical season consists of four to five fully staged operas. POP is based in the Highland Park/Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles.
To apply please email a cover letter and resume to Josh Shaw, Artistic and Executive Director at [email protected]
