Lead the Future of Opera: Join Sarasota Opera as Managing Director
Sarasota Opera, a beacon of artistic excellence and community engagement, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Managing Director. This newly defined senior administrative leadership position, available in Summer 2026, offers a unique opportunity to partner with General & Artistic Director Richard Russell during a period of significant capital activity and institutional expansion.
About Sarasota Opera: A Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 1959, Sarasota Opera (www.sarasotaopera.org) stands as a nationally revered professional company known for its unwavering commitment to artistic integrity, fiscal responsibility, and profound community connection. Nestled in Sarasota, Florida – a thriving cultural destination on the Gulf Coast – the company presents a robust annual season of opera productions, complemented by extensive education and community outreach programs.
The company has garnered particular acclaim for its dedication to the operatic canon, innovative programming, and high production values, attracting leading artists and creative teams nationwide. Performances are held in the historic 1,119-seat Sarasota Opera House, lauded by Musical America as “one of America’s finest.” Having recently celebrated the Centennial of the Opera House and concluded its 67th successful Winter Opera Festival, Sarasota Opera is poised for an exciting future.
With an impressive $11 million annual operating budget, a $16 million endowment, and an active $50 million capital campaign dedicated to facilities renovations and long-term sustainability, Sarasota Opera is entering a transformative growth phase. The organization is guided by an engaged Board of Trustees and operates under a General & Artistic Director model, fostering a close partnership between artistic vision and sound financial stewardship. A dedicated year-round staff of 30 expands to 200 during the peak winter season.
The Opportunity: A Strategic Leadership Role
The Managing Director is Sarasota Opera’s senior administrative leader, a critical partner to the General & Artistic Director, and an integral member of the executive team. This role demands comprehensive financial, operational, and organizational leadership for a mid-sized, artistically ambitious opera company navigating a period of significant capital initiatives and institutional growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Financial Stewardship: Oversee and direct all organizational finances, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. Lead the annual budgeting process, manage the $16 million endowment in liaison with investment advisors, and provide financial leadership for the $50 million capital campaign, including sophisticated cash-flow planning and restricted fund tracking.
- Operational Oversight: Provide direction for human resources, facilities, and administrative operations. Manage key vendor relationships, oversee organizational risk management, and act as a liaison with outsourced IT.
- Board & Strategic Partnership: Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Trustees, offering expert guidance on financial, administrative, and operational matters. Work closely with the General & Artistic Director to implement Board-approved policies, strategic initiatives, and long-range organizational plans.
- Human Resources & Facilities: Serve as the primary HR contact, overseeing payroll, benefits administration, and personnel policies. Supervise the facilities department, ensuring maintenance and long-term stewardship of physical assets, and partner on upcoming renovations.
This is a full-time, on-site position requiring evening and weekend attendance at performances and events, particularly during the opera season, to ensure seamless operations and community engagement.
Candidate Profile: Who We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will be a passionate leader dedicated to opera and non-profit service, eager to contribute to a collaborative organization at a pivotal moment. The successful candidate will possess:
- Seven to ten years of senior-level experience with a non-profit performing arts organization, preferably with an annual operating budget of $10 million or more.
- Thorough familiarity with non-profit fund accounting and substantial experience in organizational finance, including multi-year budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management, financial reporting, audits, and internal controls.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic financial and operational leadership within an artistically driven, mission-centered environment.
- Familiarity with working in a union environment with multiple collective bargaining agreements is highly desirable. Experience managing facilities renovations while maintaining ongoing performance operations is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of institutional planning, strategic plan implementation, and relevant technology.
- Experience in human resources and benefits administration.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with proven experience as a senior staff liaison to a Board of Trustees and staffing finance, audit, and investment committees.
- Experience working with endowment and investment advisors.
- Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree (MBA or MPA) and/or a professional credential (CPA or CMA).
The successful candidate will embrace an active role in the Sarasota arts and business communities.
Compensation & Benefits
Sarasota Opera offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The annual salary range for this position is $160,000 to $180,000, complemented by a benefits package including paid time off, health insurance, life insurance, and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan.
How to Apply
Sarasota Opera encourages applications and nominations from all qualified candidates. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome individuals regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, marital status, or any other basis protected by law. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Please submit the following:
- A comprehensive resumé.
- A compelling cover letter detailing your specific interest in Sarasota Opera's mission and your qualifications for this position.
- On a separate sheet, provide names and contact information for several professional references. (References will not be contacted without your prior knowledge and agreement.)
Electronic submissions are required. Please send your application materials (Adobe Acrobat PDF attachments only) to:
Managing Director – Sarasota Opera
c/o Catherine French Group
[email protected]