Garsington Opera is one of the UK’s best known and highly regarded summer opera festivals. Situated on the Getty family’s idyllic Wormsley Estate in the Chiltern Hills, Garsington is known for its exceptional artistic quality, its welcoming and intimate atmosphere, and its strong, personal connection with audiences, artists, and donors alike. There are four main opera productions each season in collaboration with our resident orchestras — The Philharmonia and The English Concert — and we are developing a range of national and international partnerships involving both co-productions and digital projects.
Through our GO Participate and Pathways programmes, we provide training for emerging artists and backstage professionals, and create opportunities to participate in opera for schools, young people, and community groups in Buckinghamshire and beyond.
We are now seeking a new Executive Director to lead Garsington Opera into its next chapter, following Nicky Creed’s remarkable 25 years at the company. This is a pivotal moment in the organisation’s journey. The successful completion of a £14.5m capital campaign has enabled us to open Garsington Studios — a new year-round creative base that unites our entire team and supports an expanding programme of activity including a new series of winter concerts for our Members and the community. We are entering a new phase for Garsington, while holding fast to our founding ethos: excellence, generosity, innovation, and community.
The Executive Director is responsible for the effective leadership and management of Garsington Opera, working in close partnership with Artistic Director Douglas Boyd, and reporting to the Board of Trustees. You will lead a high-performing team across artistic administration, operations, finance, marketing, fundraising and technical production, and will steward relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
We are seeking an experienced and emotionally intelligent leader who brings a strong mix of strategic leadership and commercial capability, operational rigour, and passion for the arts. You are likely to have some experience of working in opera, music and/or the performing arts, and will have a track record of leading and managing in a multifaceted, dynamic and changing environment. You will have experience navigating income generation, financial sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and organisational development in a complex environment. You will be confident in co-leadership, and skilled in balancing artistic ambition with operational excellence and financial discipline. You will demonstrate excellent communication and ambassadorial skillswith the ability and presence to promote Garsington Opera with confidence externally.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the future of a unique and much-loved organisation, and to play a leading role in the evolving story of opera in the UK and internationally.
Garsington Opera will be assisted in this appointment by the executive search firm Perrett Laver. For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com quoting reference 7920.
#J-18808-Ljbffr