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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.

Patron Services Manager

Posted 11/19/25

Summary
The Patron Services Manager is a key customer-facing role, delivering outstanding service to existing and potential patrons and donors throughout their ticketing journey. The position engages with internal and external stakeholders, ticket buyers, donors and board members — demonstrating a strong commitment to cultivating a deeper connection between audience members and the Opera. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the role oversees the ticket office, manages the Tessitura CRM ticketing system, and collaborates with the Philanthropy and Finance teams on reporting and reconciliation. It is an in-office position that supervises an in-office Patron Services staff. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position with a full benefits package. Salary range: $73,000 – $78,000. Applications from candidates of all backgrounds are welcome. San Diego Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About San Diego Opera
Founded in 1965, San Diego Opera has delivered exceptional performances and inspiring educational programs to a wide audience in San Diego for 60 seasons, with a strong focus on community partnerships and the transformative and expressive power of the human voice. With a commitment to innovative storytelling, lifelong learning and engagement, and an awareness of great music’s power to bring audiences together, San Diego Opera provides a lasting cultural service to its community.

Core Responsibilities

In-Office

Weekday schedule is in-office, Monday through Friday.
Answer patron calls, take and fulfill orders, and provide high quality and timely customer service.
Create and build all events in the Tessitura CRM system. This includes individual performances, subscription packages, venue maps, and seating charts. Ensure pricing is accurate throughout the system, including seat allocations, price levels, and discount offers.
Assign seats to subscribers, coordinate rollover and invoicing at the start of the subscription campaign, and coordinate mailing of season tickets at the beginning of each season.
Manage special offers and promotional discounts.
Reconcile all box office sales following each performance.
Respond to patron complaints with a high level of emotional intelligence and empathy.
Train Opera staff as needed on the Tessitura system.
Serve as Tessitura Administrator for San Diego Opera, including managing the upkeep of integrated technologies like Wordfly, Tessitura Network Express Web (TNEW), and JCA’s Revenue Management Application (RMA).
Liaise with partner organizations like San Diego Theatres, co-producing organizations, and our telesales agency.
Liaise with Tessitura staff and outside consultants to see that all contracted project work is completed and San Diego Opera’s CRM needs are met for each project.

At Performances

Collaborate with Marketing Operations Director to ensure constant staffing at performance and event venues.
Collaborate with Opera IT staff on the hardware configuration for the Patron Services tent at performances.
Liaise with venue box office staff, and give direction to San Diego Opera staff working at performance site.

Qualifications and Traits

2+ years experience in ticketing/box office management.
Experience with Tessitura ticketing system.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office with an emphasis on Excel.
Exceptional attention to detail, keeping the company’s work consistent and free of errors.
Ability to gracefully handle multiple priorities in stressful situations and a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle conflict and demonstrate patience with difficult customers and demanding situations.
Strong mathematical skills, including the ability to compute ratio, percent, and rate.
Effective communication and speaking skills to foster outstanding customer service and represent San Diego Opera to customers and guests.
Ability to be diplomatic and thoughtful when dealing with the competing goals and needs of diverse personalities in multiple departments across the organization.
A willingness to take ownership of all of San Diego Opera’s Patron Services, and to be held accountable for all of its projects and tasks.
Ability to set an example of excellent service, both internally and externally, to Patron Services staff.

Other Requirements

Weekend and evening work is required at performances and events. Must be able to work at all performances.
Must have reliable transportation.
Ability to lift up to 40 lbs and remain on feet for extended periods during events.
Knowledge and love of opera is a plus. Desire to learn more about opera is a must.

Benefits

Full time salaried exempt position
Health, Dental and Vision benefits
401k Retirement Plan
Paid holidays
Paid time off for vacation and sick days

To Apply:
Please email a cover letter and resume to Ed Hofmeister, Director of Marketing and Communications at jobs@sdopera.org, with the words “Patron Services Manager” in the subject line. No calls please.

Patron Services Associate (Hourly, non-exempt)

Posted 11/19/25

Position Description:
The Patron Services Associate is a front-line ambassador for San Diego Opera, serving as the primary point of contact for guests, and delivering exceptional customer experiences throughout the purchasing and attendance journey. This role is responsible for selling tickets and subscriptions, staffing the Patron Services tent during performances, and ensuring seamless customer service reflecting San Diego Opera’s commitment to excellence.

As a vital member of the patron services team, the Associate creates meaningful connections with ticket buyers, answers inquiries with professionalism and efficiency, and contributes to organizational objectives. This position plays an essential role in building guest loyalty and enhancing the overall reputation of San Diego Opera through outstanding service in every interaction.

This is an in-office position. Our phones are staffed Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Additional evening and weekend hours are required as needed for performances and events. Hourly rate is $22–24 based on experience. Applications from candidates of all backgrounds are welcome. San Diego Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent and courteous service to all San Diego Opera ticket buyers and donors.
Provide accurate information to patrons about all San Diego Opera events.
Assist subscribers, ticket buyers, and donors in all aspects relating to ticket purchases:
- Receive incoming phone calls and assist in-person buyers.
- Process mail and email orders.
- Process and prepare season ticket orders, including orders sold by outside telesales agency.
- Resolve patron problems.
- Maintain all subscriber and single ticket buyer records in Tessitura.
- Assist with seating assignments.
- Identify donor prospects to refer to the Philanthropy department.
- Process subscriber exchanges.
- Make follow-up calls to patrons.
- File orders.
- Make outbound subscription renewal calls as assigned.
- Represent San Diego Opera at all performances.
- Assist with subscriber seating, season rollover, and invoice creation at the start of the subscription campaign, and mailing of season tickets at the beginning of each season.
- Assist with post-performance reconciliation.
- Train on Tessitura software to assist with Patron Services Lead with database management responsibilities.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

1 year of experience in a customer service and/or ticket sales role.
Exceptional customer service skills with a great attitude and a positive and professional demeanor.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent judgment and the ability to carry out instructions accurately.
Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
Reliable, punctual, and comfortable working evenings, weekends, and during performances as scheduled.
Strong computer proficiency and ability to learn ticketing software.
Knowledge and love of opera is a plus. Desire to learn more about opera is a must.
The person most successful in this position will be a well-organized, detail-oriented individual dedicated to growing the San Diego Opera audience through exceptional customer service.

To Apply:
Please email a cover letter and resume to Ed Hofmeister, Director of Marketing and Communications at jobs@sdopera.org, with the words “Patron Services Associate” in the subject line. No calls please.

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