Job Opportunities

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Founded in 1965, San Diego Opera is a highly regarded member of the international opera community and an invaluable cultural resource to the San Diego region. The mission of San Diego Opera is to deliver exceptional performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community partnerships and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice. The company’s vision is to be recognized globally as a leading example of adaptability, innovation, and sustainability, promoting diversity on stage, in our repertoire, and in our staff and leadership, with a commitment to world-class and emerging talent, and innovative use of technology. San Diego Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Production Assistant

San Diego Opera seeks a Production Assistant to work with the stage management teams for our 2026/2027 season. Dates of employment are as follows.

OPERA 1    Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (5 weeks)
OPERA 2    Monday, January 18, 2027 – Friday, February 19, 2027 (5 weeks)
OPERA 3    Monday, March 8, 2027 – Friday, April 9, 2027 (5 weeks)

A candidate with the following skills – music reading, second language, Microsoft office, and stage management experience – will be in an ideal position for consideration. If you have experience in other related areas, we encourage you to apply as well, especially if you have a desire to learn more about working in opera.

All candidates must be reliable, have a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and the capability to identify tasks and look ahead. You will be an integral member of a team and will need to be flexible and adapt as priorities and deadlines change. Being a contributing team member is more important than previous opera or stage management experience.

Following this experience, you will have – an understanding of how a rehearsal room is run, the process for the artists, and contacts for future potential work in the industry.
This position is hourly/non-exempt $17.75 – $19.00 per hour based on experience. Overtime hours (at the overtime rate) are anticipated each week. The work week is Monday through Saturday – Sunday being a typical day off – with some exceptions. This is a local position – no housing nor distance transportation is provided. Parking is included. Please send your resume and references to Associate Director of Production, Grace Herzog at Grace.Herzog@sdopera.org.

Major Gifts Officer

San Diego Opera seeks a major gifts officer to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $5,000 to $25,000. This position also conceives of and oversees unique events and behind-the-scenes opportunities to steward and engage current and prospective donors. Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Philanthropy and working collaboratively with a donor-centered team, the Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of 125-150 households.

The selected candidate will be passionate about the important role arts and cultural organizations play in community life and the impact of the arts on individuals. They will have a connection to and interest in opera, have a warm and engaging personality and outstanding written and spoken communication skills, be highly organized and collaborative, take initiative, attend to detail, and will persevere when faced with challenges. A minimum of two years of experience in a sophisticated fundraising environment, preferably arts and culture, is required. The successful candidate must have access to reliable transportation for off-site donor meetings and be able to work on weekends and evenings as required.

San Diego Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary range $75,000-$85,000 plus benefits. This position is classified as full-time exempt under California and federal law and is not eligible for overtime.

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to: Llewellyn Crain, (she/her), Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Philanthropy, at jobs@sdopera.org. No phone calls, please.