The annual salary range for the President/CEO of OPERA America is between $300,000-$325,000 and includes a full benefit package commensurate with other organizations of its size. OPERA America intends to make a hiring decision by fall of 2025, with the selected candidate transitioning into the position with an appropriate and minimal overlap with OPERA America’s outgoing President/CEO.
OPERA America seeks an accomplished, innovative, and collaborative strategist to lead this essential national service organization as President/CEO as it shapes an increasingly dynamic approach to supporting and advocating for the opera field in North America. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with a talented staff, the President/CEO will spearhead vision setting for the organization’s next phase of service to the field, oversee the research and dissemination of best practices to member groups and individuals, serve as an advocate for opera on the national stage, oversee the efficient management of the organization, and ensure superb concierge operations of the National Opera Center in New York City. This tested leader will craft and implement bold plans that respond to current trends in the field, ensure operational and financial stability, and generate growing resources to strengthen ongoing service to administrators, artists, educators, trustees, and appreciators of opera. Opera America’s top steward of the future will creatively build energizing new partnerships, both within and beyond the opera community, all in service of a more vibrant and increasingly resilient field. Management Consultants for the Arts has been engaged to facilitate this search. A full position description may be found here: https://www.mcaonline.com/searches/president-ceo-opera-america
Organizational Profile
As the premiere champion for opera in North America, OPERA America is focused on moving opera forward as an industry and an art form. OPERA America was founded in 1970 in Washington, D.C. with an original focus to support K-12 learning and investment in the creation and production of American operas. In 1990, the organization merged with the National Opera Institute and Central Opera Service, absorbing their programs and resources to include professional development and research. OPERA America relocated to New York City in 2005 in order to improve member service, and in 2012, the National Opera Center, a custom-designed facility, was opened. More information can be found on their website: https://www.operaamerica.org/
OPERA America has engaged Management Consultants for the Arts to facilitate this important search; Jonathan West (Managing Director) and Shruti Adhar (Consultant) are leading the process. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit in complete confidence a cover letter, resumé, and four professional references. The cover letter of no more than 1½ pages should address how the opportunities and challenges shared in this profile intersect with the candidate’s professional background and what about this opportunity is of greatest interest to them personally. Application materials should have the applicant’s name included as part of each file name and must be submitted electronically - https://www.mcaonline.com/searches/president-ceo-opera-america
Once all materials have been submitted online, the applicant will receive a confirmation of their submission via the email address provided in the application. For clarification on any of this information, please contact Christy Wall at [email protected].
06/20/2025