Position: Director of Artistic Operations
Reports to: General Director
Direct Reports: Company Manager, Stage Managers, Tour manager (vacant), Orchestra Manager, Music Librarian, Music staff
Liaises with: Senior Management, VO Chorus, Orchestra, Guest Artists, Staff

Vancouver Opera
Vancouver Opera creates extraordinary experiences that engage, inspire, and entertain our community through voice, music, and theatre.

Vancouver Opera is the second largest opera company in Canada. It is regarded worldwide for its fine mainstage productions; for its country-leading education programs, which have reached more than 1.6 million children and their families in more than 60 years; for its innovative and award-winning community programs; and for forging ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships that have brought opera to new generations of Canadians in recent history.

The Person
The ideal candidate must possess a proven track record of success in Artistic Administration. Experience in assembling and managing a team of professionals to bring operatic experiences to life, a leader in keeping a complex department of specialists operating at peak efficiency and collaborating with other departments in the company. A strategic thinker in long-range planning and budgeting and industry best practices.

Position Summary:  The Director of Artistic Operations, is responsible for the overall supervision and logistics of the artistic department including the casting process, rehearsal schedule, artistic budget, contracting of artists, managing all chorus and orchestra related matters, and acts as liaison and contact for the creative teams. This position also participates in identification of new and upcoming artists and productions. This position provides the oversight and strategic direction of the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artist Program.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In coordination with the Company Manager, writes and executes contracts for all artists, musicians, supers, children, and guest artists. Ensures that personnel paperwork is properly signed, filed, and provided to appropriate departments of VOA
• Work in collaboration with the General Director on the casting of artists and other artistic staff
• Lead negotiator with management team for CAEA and VMA negotiations
• Work Closely with Director of Production in creating a harmonious working environment for everyone to succeed.
• Work with Director of Production on all Health & Safety issues.
• Manage the audition process for Principal Artists and Chorus, Orchestra, Children
• Maintain the company master calendar including all events, chorus, orchestra, and staging rehearsals
• Plan and oversee artistic planning meetings
• Maintain communication across Artistic Administration, Production, Marketing and Development Departments
• Lead the contracting process for key artistic positions (singers, directors, guest conductors, choreographers, and all music staff) Responsible for coordinating with conductors regarding orchestra parts and arranging music rentals/performance rights, etc.
• Preparation of chorus schedules and orchestra schedules in collaboration with conductors and other staff as appropriate
• Prepare and distribute all cut lists
• Manage CAEA and VMA issues regarding rules, timings, etc.
• Stay current on upcoming talent, including singers, conductors, directors and music staff
• Participate in senior staff meetings
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a database of singers
• Oversee the maintenance of a database of contracting and other pertinent artists’ data
• Oversee the maintenance of a database for chorus auditions and participate in chorus auditions
• Responsible for creating Artistic budgets
• Responsible for working within budget and casting within budget
• Prepare artist payroll for all performing artists with company manager
• Supervise Company Manager in company management and hospitality
• Supervise Company Manager in obtaining all artist information including high resolution headshots, bios, PR surveys, and current measurements
• Oversee the creation of all artistic related program book materials
• Contract and oversee all aspects of supertitles creation and supervise designated staff in creating titles
• Execute appropriate documentation and required forms for the execution of all visas for foreign artists when applicable
• Provide artistic information for updates on the website
• Oversee the processing of payments and reimbursements for contractual agreements
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Engagement and Education

• Work with all departments and affiliate organizations to plan all outreach events including concerts
• Work with Senior Manager of Partnerships & Engagement on scheduling and artist/musician requirements for all education programs in schools and other engagement opportunities

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Music or closely related field. Master’s degree preferred
• Detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects, and strong organizational skills
• Ability to work evenings and weekends
• Minimum of Five years of experience in working in the opera industry preferred.
• Must be experienced with opera literature, artists’ managers, conductors, directors, etc. Deep industry network a plus.
• Ability to manage conflict resolution
• The ability to meet deadlines for planning process
• Experience negotiating union contracts a plus
• The ability to meet departmental goals within budget
• The ability to be a collaborator with partners, contributing in a substantive and positive way
• The ability to be an excellent communicator, respecting the needs of colleagues
• Ability to collaborate with staff, professional colleagues, and supporters
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point)

Schedule
Regular office hours Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. A flexible work schedule is required during production times and for special events and activities including evenings and weekends.

Vancouver Opera offers
A dynamic team environment in an exciting cultural hub, a strong partnership network, we deliver amazing main stage productions, and exceptional education and community programming. Additionally, VO offers a competitive salary, group benefits, group RRSP matching program, and paid annual vacation. A competitive compensation package with a salary range of $65,000 to $80,000 commensurate with experience.

How To Apply
VO strives to provide meaningful employment opportunities, which reflect the range of diverse communities in which we live and work. Our vision is a resilient organizational culture, which is inclusive and diverse in all its aspects. Individual differences are not only accepted but are strongly valued and encouraged. We recognize that our diversity, the many different and unique things we individually and collectively bring to work each day, contributes to building a stronger workplace and healthier communities. VO welcomes and encourages applications from women, persons of colour, Indigenous persons, persons with diverse abilities, and members of other marginalized or under-represented groups. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to doao@vancouveropera.ca with the subject line “Director of Artistic Operations”. Posting will be removed when position is filled.