Purpose of the role: This senior leadership position is responsible for the strategic development and delivery of all artistic products for Opera North, from inception to final performance. They will oversee the casting, artistic scheduling, and artistic delivery processes and personnel for opera, concerts, and special projects. They will manage all the artistic forces of the company to ensure the highest possible quality of artistic output. Key Accountabilities: Provide strategic leadership for the Artistic Administration, Orchestra, Chorus, and Music departments, and, in collaboration with the General Director, lead the annual negotiation of the house agreements for the Orchestra and Chorus. Hold ultimate responsibility for the budgets and their management for each of these departments. Oversee the casting of all mainstage operas, concerts and special projects and collaborate closely with the Learning & Engagement department on the artistic personnel for their projects. Manage the creation and development of new commissions for the mainstage, the Howard Assembly Room and concerts, including R&D. Work closely with the HAR team on artistic programming. Spearhead the company’s artistic talent development initiatives including the development of processes and programmes to diversify the artistic talent in the organisation. Bring each artistic project to fruition with careful curation and connection to creators, including maintaining a regular presence at stage and studio rehearsals to support creative teams and singers in delivering to the highest possible standard. Be responsible for supervising, coaching, and supporting your team, setting goals and expectations at regular 1-2-1s and team meetings, providing formal feedback at annual performance reviews, and resolving conflicts and issues punctually. Oversee personnel including the Senior Producer, Head of Orchestra & Concerts, Head of Music, Company Manager and Chorus Manager. Liaise with the General Director and Music Director regarding repertoire and production teams. Work closely with the Deputy General Director to build a practical and efficient schedule for all artistic company activity. In collaboration with the General Director and SLT, devise, deliver, and report on the artistic Arts Council England & Leeds City Council KPIs. Maintain excellent relationships with key artists, conductors and production team members and their agents to ensure ON can secure the most exciting artists for its productions. Represent Opera North at performances and development events, and attend other performances around the country as required to maintain currency with the industry. Liaise with the Board of Trustees and other internal and external stakeholders as necessary regarding ON’s artistic output, including fundraising and audience development activities, and represent the company at Opera Europa/National Opera Coordinating Committee meetings. Be responsible for ensuring that the company in general and particularly the area within your remit, complies with its obligations relating to the health, safety and welfare of its workers and where applicable, members of the general public, in order to fully comply with health and safety legislation. Perform related duties as assigned. Job Requirements: Qualifications: None required, but job holder will be required to work at the level of a degree holder. Experience / essential skills required: Significant demonstrable experience in a similar role in an opera company or orchestra. Will be able to evidence extensive knowledge of the operatic repertoire and the UK/ European opera scene. Excellent MS suite skills. Excellent people manager. A strategic thinker with excellent written and oral communication skills. Functional/ Leadership competencies: Flexible, resilient and able to balance competing priorities. Collaborative and supportive, able to work with a wide variety of people with fairness and integrity to foster a positive and inclusive working environment. Understanding and appreciative of artistic temperaments and able to motivate and amplify the work of different creative types. Desirable Skills: Experience of dealing with contracts and unions. Experience of Arts Council England and funder reporting. Experience of delivering new commissions. Terms and Conditions: Contract type: Full-time, permanent Salary: c£70,000 per annum Hours of work: 35 hours, Monday to Friday Holiday entitlement: 33 days inclusive of 8 statutory holidays, per annum Pension: Opera North will automatically enrol you into the company pension scheme upon appointment and after 3 months’ service will contribute equivalent to 5.5% of your basic pay, should you meet the current legislative criteria. You will be required to make a personal contribution of 2.5% of your basic pay. We reserve the right to make future changes to our pension arrangements. Equity, diversity and inclusion: We promote equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and make recruitment decisions by matching our needs with the skills and experience of the candidate. As we work to address underrepresentation in our workforce, we are particularly keen to hear from applicants from the global majority or those with other protected characteristics. The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK or be ready to obtain it. General responsibilities of everyone who works for us: Represent the company values and purpose to create extraordinary experiences everyday. Work collaboratively and co-operatively with all team members and take an active part in team meetings and discussions. Be an ambassador for Opera North and follow our policies and procedures. Play your part in ensuring that everyone who comes through our door is welcomed and treated with respect. Closing Date: 7th April 2026 - 4pm