Opera Director Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Artistic Administration leads the Artistic Administration department and is responsible for long-range artistic planning and overall departmental strategy to ensure that artistic planning is achievable, financially responsible, and well-communicated across our organization.

This role also oversees the Hart Institute for Women Conductors and vocal competitions, ensuring that these programs are aligned with the company’s artistic goals, properly resourced, and executed at a high institutional standard.

This position is an annual, full-time exempt position and works closely with the General Director and CEO, Music Director, Chorus Director and Head of Music, Artistic Administrator, Company Manager, Director of Production, as well as additional external and internal stakeholders.

Manage the season planning calendar across multiple years, coordinating repertoire, casting, conductor, and director decisions with the General Director and Music Director

Maintain long-range casting grids and availability tracking for principal artists, conductors, directors, and creative teams

Support the General Director in co-production planning with partner houses, including scheduling alignment, artistic personnel coordination, and partner communications

Oversee scheduling of rehearsals, coachings, and music calls in coordination with the Director of Production, the Music Department, and union requirements

Negotiate, draft, and administer all principal artist, conductor, director, designer (artistic), and creative team agreements within approved budget parameters

Manage relationships with artist managers and agencies; serve as TDO’s primary administrative point of contact for the international artist community

Administer AGMA compliance for principal artists, chorus, and dancers as applicable; maintain working knowledge of all relevant collective bargaining agreements.

Track engagement budgets, fee benchmarking, and currency/tax considerations for international artists

Oversee the Company Management functions: artist travel, housing, ground transportation, hospitality, per diems, visas and work authorization (O-1 petitions), and artist services

Set the standard for artist experience at TDO, ensuring the company’s reputation as a destination house where world-class artists want to return

Manage the Company Management budget and vendor relationships

Build and manage the Artistic department budget, including artist fees, artistic programs, company management costs, and provide regular forecasting to the Accounting and Finance team and General Director and CEO

Identify cost efficiencies through scheduling, casting strategy, and co-production structures without compromising artistic quality

Maintain artistic databases, contract management systems, and institutional records

Lead, develop, and mentor the Artistic Administration and Company Management teams; foster a culture of discretion, hospitality, and precision

Maintain a close, dotted-line working partnership with the Music Department (Chorus Director & Head of Music Staff and their team) to align casting, scheduling, music staffing, and rehearsal planning across the artistic enterprise

Serve as a key liaison between Artistic and Production, Marketing/Communications (artist availability for press, events, donor engagements), and Development (artist participation in cultivation activities)

Represent the Artistic department in cross-departmental planning, including the Hart Institute for Women Conductors and education/community programming as needed

As The Dallas Opera grows, so may this role. Other duties may be assigned.

7+ yearsofprogressive experience in artisticadministrationat a professional opera company or comparable performing arts institution

Demonstrated expertise in artist contracting and negotiation, including familiarity with AGMA and AFM agreements and international artist engagement

Deep knowledgeofoperatic repertoire, voice types, and the international artist landscape

Demonstrated experience managing complex multimillion-dollar budgets, balancing artistic and financial priorities

Exceptional organizational rigor, discretion, and judgment; comfort managing confidential negotiations and sensitive artist relationships

Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams across multiple functions

Fluency in additional languages (Spanish, German, Italian, or French) a plus, reflecting TDO’s international partnerships

August 31, 2026

$90,000 - $110,000 Annual

Comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and long-term success of our employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid parental leave, dedicated PTO and sick leave, 403b retirement savings plan with employer matching, complimentary tickets to performances, and personalized professional development opportunities.