Current opportunities

Executive Director

​

Closing date: 21 February 2025, 5pm

 

Following 10 years of leading Northern Opera Group, our current Artistic Director and General Manager are stepping down in September 2025.

 

They have established the charity as one of the UK’s most innovative companies, specialising in the performance of rare and contemporary opera here in Leeds.

 

We are now therefore recruiting for a new leadership team to build on their work, and further advance the quality, reputation and impact of Northern Opera Group.

 

This will comprise a dual leadership team of an Executive Director and an Artistic Director, with the Executive role being recruited first. The post holder will then work with our trustees and outgoing leadership team to both recruit a new Artistic Director, and a new Chair of Trustees, ahead of commencing the role formally in September 2025.

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About the role

 

Days: 50 per year / 1 day per week

Pay: £200 per day (freelance contract)

Location: remote, with ability to attend meetings and events in Leeds where required

Start date: September 2025

 

(There will be 10 days available prior to September 2025 for handover, and to support the recruitment of the Artistic Director, and Chair of Trustees).

 

Areas of responsibility

 

Executive Management

 

• Working alongside the Artistic Director and Trustees to set Northern Opera Group’s artistic and organisational strategy

• Oversee major artistic, operational and educational partnerships

• Ensure Northern Opera Group is well connected and respected with local and national peers

• Oversee recruitment and management of freelancers (for example, marketing, press, fundraising consultants) and artists

• Main point of contact for external partners, artists and audiences

• Maintaining Northern Opera Group's commitment to inclusion and access, through our membership of Ramps on the Moon

 

Finance

 

• Creation and oversight of project and annual budgets

• Managing day to day cash flow and bookkeeping

• Ensure appropriate financial management and record keeping for charitable and reporting purposes

 

Marketing

 

• Ensuring that marketing materials are created and distributed in line with future projects

• Working with relevant external marketing and press freelancers

• Maintenance of our website and social media

 

Fundraising

 

• Writing funding applications and reports

• Maintaining positive relationships with existing funders, and building new relationships

• Overseeing individual giving, including maintenance of online fundraising platform and website

• Ensuring the fundraising pipeline is kept up to date, and projections are able to meet artistic ambitions

 

Charity Requirements

 

• Overseeing the smooth running of our Board of Trustees, including organising meetings and preparing board papers (including management accounts)

• Preparing and submitting our annual report to the Charity Commission, including liaising with external financial auditor

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Person Specification

 

Candidates must be able to demonstrate

 

• A passion for the performing arts

• Experience in a professional or voluntary context of leadership, management and/or producing in the performing arts

• Financial literacy

• An ability to form positive professional relationships and/or partnerships

• An appreciation of the current performing arts sector, including its challenges and opportunities

 

It is desirable if candidates can also demonstrate

 

• Experience of fundraising (whether through application writing, or individual giving)

• Professional experience working in the performing arts in a leadership, management or producing role

• Knowledge of Leeds and its cultural sector

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Application details

 

Application deadline: Friday 21 February 2025, 5pm

Interview dates: w/c 17 March 2025 (in person in Leeds, travel expenses will be covered)

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter (no more than 2 x A4) or a video / audio recording (no more than 4 minutes) which addresses

 

• Why you are interested in the role

• How you meet the Person Specification

 

You are also welcome to submit a CV and/or link to your personal website.

 

To apply, or if you have any questions about the role, organisation, or application process, you are most welcome to contact our current Artistic Director, David Ward (david@northernoperagroup.co.uk)

 

Please also contact us if you have any access requirements which are not met by the application process and we will be pleased to accommodate.