General Director

Company: Opera Delaware

Location: Wilmington, Delaware

Job Location: In Person

Job Type: Full Time

Desired

Start Date:

June 1, 2026

Salary Range: $85,000 - $115,000, commensurate with experience

Opera Delaware, one of the nation’s oldest professional opera companies and a leading cultural institution in the Mid‑Atlantic region, seeks a bold, strategic, and visionary General Director to guide the organization into its next chapter of artistic excellence, community impact, and organizational growth. The General Director serves as the chief executive and artistic leader, reporting to the Board of Directors. The role holds overall responsibility for artistic, administrative, and operational functions, setting the company’s artistic vision;

leading programming and education initiatives; stewarding donor, patron, and community relationships; and ensuring financial stability and long‑term health.

• Artistic leadership: Set and deliver a cohesive Main Stage and programmatic artistic vision that advances Opera Delaware’s mission and meets agreed artistic and financial targets.
• 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.
• 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 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 ambassador for Opera Delaware, expand partnerships, education, and engagement initiatives to diversify audiences and increase access to opera across the region.

• Senior leadership experience in opera or comparable performing arts organizations
• Strategic thinker balancing 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 organization
• 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

Interested applicants can find more information on how to apply by visiting https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).-careers
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