Producing Artistic Director Jobs
Producing Artistic Director jobs are open across regional theaters, opera companies, nonprofit performing arts organizations, and commercial production houses, at every level from associate producing director to executive artistic leader, with specializations in theater production, opera direction, and multidisciplinary performance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for planning and executing the artistic operations of WNO in collaboration with the artistic vision and business goals established by the General Director & CEO and Artistic Director.
The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for collaborating with the Artistic Director to cast WNO’s productions and lead WNO’s season planning process. The incumbent will also oversee WNO’s Artistic Department and all related functions. These functions include: engagement of stage directors and conductors; developing and implementing commission and performance rights agreements; overseeing administration of artistic contracts and visas; orchestra management; and management of WNO’s music staff, orchestra librarian, chorus, supernumeraries, and dancers.
The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for developing and overseeing the artistic and orchestra budgets which, combined, are in the range of $9 million annually, as part of WNO’s annual operating budget of $30 million. This role takes responsibility for an array of financial and labor issues, participating in labor negotiations and liaising with unions, as necessary.
Responsibilities
- Principally responsible for working with the Artistic Director to cast WNO’s artists (principally solo singers and conductors but also encompassing directors, choreographers, music staff, etc.). Maintain travel schedule to attend performances and hold auditions (regionally, nationally, and internationally) to recruit and invite artists to WNO.
- Collaborate with General Director & CEO and Artistic Director to drive the season planning process according to WNO institutional priorities. Work closely with these colleagues as well as WNO’s Director of Production, Technical Director, Costume Director, and Director of the Cafritz Young Artist Program and other relevant members of the WNO Management Team on all future seasons and company-wide budgeting and planning.
- Responsible for the operational functions of WNO’s Artistic Department in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. Supervise and manage three full-time staff members to accomplish the work of WNO’s artistic and orchestra operations, including contract administration, securing required visas, budget management, and oversight of music staff, the orchestra librarian, the WNO Orchestra, chorus, corps dancers, and supernumeraries.
- Provide artistic content for recitals, concerts, and special events as necessary.
- Act as WNO’s management liaison to guest artists, and attend performances and rehearsals as relevant to support guest artists and other members of the Artistic teams as described above.
- Manage the staffing of pre-performance lectures and post-performance Q&A sessions as well as development and audience engagement events, as needed.
- Ensure flow of artistic information throughout the company to support interdepartmental needs and planning. Review and approve all printed and digital materials pertaining to casts and artistic teams. Responsible for ensuring that WNO-specific artistic databases are updated to reflect current casting and contract information.
Qualifications
- 8 – 10 years’ experience in opera artistic management.
- Knowledge of opera, music, and the performing arts is a must; experience with managing collective bargaining agreements is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in artistic or related field or equivalent training/ experience. Advanced degree a plus.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must exercise good judgment, show initiative, and handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently as well collaboratively as in a team environment.
- Discretion, maturity, and composure, especially under pressure.
- Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- High standards and strong sense of responsibility.
- Comfortable with up to 30% domestic and international travel
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000 per year. This range reflects what WNO in good faith expects to pay for this role. Where a candidate is placed within the range depends on their relevant experience, skills and competencies, qualifications, and internal pay equity. WNO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our work and our community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or District of Columbia law.
WNO is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.
The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for planning and executing the artistic operations of WNO in collaboration with the artistic vision and business goals established by the General Director & CEO and Artistic Director.
The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for collaborating with the Artistic Director to cast WNO’s productions and lead WNO’s season planning process. The incumbent will also oversee WNO’s Artistic Department and all related functions. These functions include: engagement of stage directors and conductors; developing and implementing commission and performance rights agreements; overseeing administration of artistic contracts and visas; orchestra management; and management of WNO’s music staff, orchestra librarian, chorus, supernumeraries, and dancers.
The Director of Artistic Planning and Operations is responsible for developing and overseeing the artistic and orchestra budgets which, combined, are in the range of $9 million annually, as part of WNO’s annual operating budget of $30 million. This role takes responsibility for an array of financial and labor issues, participating in labor negotiations and liaising with unions, as necessary.
Responsibilities
- Principally responsible for working with the Artistic Director to cast WNO’s artists (principally solo singers and conductors but also encompassing directors, choreographers, music staff, etc.). Maintain travel schedule to attend performances and hold auditions (regionally, nationally, and internationally) to recruit and invite artists to WNO.
- Collaborate with General Director & CEO and Artistic Director to drive the season planning process according to WNO institutional priorities. Work closely with these colleagues as well as WNO’s Director of Production, Technical Director, Costume Director, and Director of the Cafritz Young Artist Program and other relevant members of the WNO Management Team on all future seasons and company-wide budgeting and planning.
- Responsible for the operational functions of WNO’s Artistic Department in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. Supervise and manage three full-time staff members to accomplish the work of WNO’s artistic and orchestra operations, including contract administration, securing required visas, budget management, and oversight of music staff, the orchestra librarian, the WNO Orchestra, chorus, corps dancers, and supernumeraries.
- Provide artistic content for recitals, concerts, and special events as necessary.
- Act as WNO’s management liaison to guest artists, and attend performances and rehearsals as relevant to support guest artists and other members of the Artistic teams as described above.
- Manage the staffing of pre-performance lectures and post-performance Q&A sessions as well as development and audience engagement events, as needed.
- Ensure flow of artistic information throughout the company to support interdepartmental needs and planning. Review and approve all printed and digital materials pertaining to casts and artistic teams. Responsible for ensuring that WNO-specific artistic databases are updated to reflect current casting and contract information.
Qualifications
- 8 – 10 years’ experience in opera artistic management.
- Knowledge of opera, music, and the performing arts is a must; experience with managing collective bargaining agreements is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in artistic or related field or equivalent training/ experience. Advanced degree a plus.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Must exercise good judgment, show initiative, and handle sensitive data in a trustworthy manner.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently as well collaboratively as in a team environment.
- Discretion, maturity, and composure, especially under pressure.
- Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- High standards and strong sense of responsibility.
- Comfortable with up to 30% domestic and international travel
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $150,000 - $170,000 per year. This range reflects what WNO in good faith expects to pay for this role. Where a candidate is placed within the range depends on their relevant experience, skills and competencies, qualifications, and internal pay equity. WNO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our work and our community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or District of Columbia law.
WNO is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities.
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Find JobsProducing Artistic Director Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in producing artistic director jobs.
- Five or more years of progressively senior artistic and producing leadership in a professional performing arts organization
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing an annual operating budget across programming, personnel, and facilities
- Proven record of full season programming from play or project selection through production execution
- Experience cultivating relationships with individual donors, foundation funders, and board members
- Strong background in hiring and supervising directors, designers, and production staff
- Bachelor's or master's degree in theater arts, arts administration, directing, or a closely related discipline
Tips for Your Producing Artistic Director Job Search
Lead your resume with production credits
Hiring committees for producing artistic director roles want to see the full arc of a production you owned, from season selection through closing night. List each project with budget scale, venue size, and your specific producing and artistic decisions, not just your job title.
Tailor your artistic statement per organization
Your artistic vision statement is read as closely as your resume for this role. Rewrite it for each organization to reflect their specific mission, community, and repertoire history. A statement that could apply anywhere signals you haven't done your homework on them.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists producing artistic director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your experience and artistic focus and apply directly to each listing without sorting through unrelated postings.
Show your board and donor relationship history
Many search committees include board members, so your ability to work with and develop a board is evaluated from the start. In your cover letter, cite a specific example of a donor cultivation initiative, capital campaign involvement, or board retreat you led or supported.
Prepare a season proposal for the final interview
Finalists for producing artistic director positions are routinely asked to present a proposed season. Research the organization's recent repertoire, budget constraints, and community demographics before your first interview so you can speak fluently to programming choices in any round.
Negotiate start date around production cycles
Producing artistic director searches often conclude mid-season, creating tension between your current contractual obligations and the new organization's timeline. Know your existing commitments before the offer stage and come to the table with a proposed transition plan rather than waiting to be asked.
Producing Artistic Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most producing artistic directors?
The companies hiring the most producing artistic directors right now include Chapman University, Ballet West, and The New School, with the largest share of openings in Georgia, California, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Regional nonprofit theaters and opera companies account for the majority of active searches at any given time.
How many producing artistic director jobs are remote?
About 40% of producing artistic director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most organizations require on-site leadership for rehearsals, productions, and board engagement. The sub-areas most likely to offer partial remote arrangements are grant writing, season planning, and donor communications rather than production management.
How do you become a producing artistic director?
Most producing artistic directors build their path through years of work as a director, producer, or associate artistic director at professional theater or opera companies. The typical route involves directing or producing a substantial body of work, taking on budget and personnel responsibility in a mid-level leadership role, and demonstrating the fundraising and board relations skills that executive searches prioritize. Graduate training in directing or arts administration strengthens candidacy but is not universally required.
Can you get hired as a producing artistic director with limited experience?
Entry into this role with limited experience is rare at established regional or Equity theaters, but smaller storefront companies, emerging nonprofits, and festival organizations sometimes hire producing artistic directors who show strong vision, community ties, and entrepreneurial producing experience even without a lengthy resume. Focusing your early applications on organizations at a scale that matches your actual credits gives you a realistic path to the role before competing for larger searches.
What does the producing artistic director interview process look like?
Most searches run several rounds, beginning with a portfolio and writing sample review, followed by video or phone conversations with a search committee that typically includes board members, staff, and sometimes community stakeholders. Finalists are usually invited for an in-person visit that includes a public forum or town hall, a board meeting presentation, and often a formal artistic vision or season proposal presentation before the final offer decision is made.
Where can I find and apply to producing artistic director jobs?
You can find and apply to producing artistic director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your experience and artistic focus, and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 12 Producing Artistic Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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