General Manager
/JOB TITLE:
General Manager
ORGANIZATION:
City Opera Vancouver
DEADLINE:
Nov. 15, 2025
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
City Opera Vancouver is a professional chamber opera company dedicated to invigorating opera for future generations. Our vision, “Opera for a Changing World,” drives us to create works that reflect contemporary life and explore innovative formats. Over the years, we have built a track record of commissioning and producing compelling new works that tell authentic Canadian stories.
WEBSITE:
http://cityoperavancouver.com
JOB DESCRIPTION:
City Opera is looking for a positive, highly motivated, multi-skilled, and flexible half-time General Manager. Reporting to and working closely with the Artistic and Executive Director, the Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administrative and operational tasks essential to the effective and efficient running of the company.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Finance, Budgets and General Business Management
Work with the Artistic and Executive Director and Board to construct realistic production and operating budgets.
Track expenditures and variances and issue regular cash flow projections.
Arrange e-transfers and other types of payment.
Keep up to date with union and WorkSafe requirements (CAEA/VMA/UBCP/IATSE) that affect payments and working conditions, ensuring required filings and payments are promptly submitted.
Negotiate and draft contractual agreements in consultation with the Artistic and Executive Director.
Act as liaison with the Board Treasurer and other financial personnel such as a bookkeeper or accountant in preparation for the annual financial review.
Liaise with the Board, including dissemination of information and documents as required.
Attend board meetings as necessary.
Production
Liaise with venues, artists, unions, and production personnel.
Attend monthly Opera Pubs, liaising with venues and artists as required.
Coordinate production-related activities such as piano rental, moving and tuning, and sourcing sound and video equipment.
Liaise with publicists and marketing professionals when engaged.
Handle marketing and promotion for productions via newsletters and press releases when no professional publicist is involved.
Organize ticket services, track and report on ticket sales.
Coordinate program content, layout, and printing.
Track and control production expenses.
Fundraising
Actively participate in all City Opera fundraising initiatives, including raffles and solicitation of donations at Opera Pubs.
Assist in identifying new donors and cultivating existing donors.
Assist with the organization of fundraising events and initiatives.
Track all donations and donor information.
Publicity and Promotion
Take an active and leadership role in promoting City Opera events.
Create effective press releases and announcements and oversee their distribution.
Act as liaison with graphic artists and marketing specialists.
Grant Writing
Maintain a list of funding sources, application requirements, and deadlines, and assist in identifying new funding opportunities.
Ensure that the Artistic and Executive Director and other personnel are aware of requirements and deadlines.
Compose or assist in composing and developing the financial content of grant applications.
Edit and proofread both written and financial portions of grant applications.
Submit completed applications on or before deadlines.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Familiarity with Vancouver’s arts community.
Familiarity with government and private funding organizations.
Highly motivated with a strong work ethic.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Highly organized with superior time-management skills and effectiveness in meeting deadlines.
Positive, flexible, and collegial attitude with the ability to respond with humour and grace to unexpected demands or events.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of Excel and QuickBooks or other financial management programs and database systems.
Willingness to work irregular or flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Previous experience in the management and administration of not-for-profit arts organizations is an asset.
Knowledge of grant-writing procedures and grant-writing experience an asset.
Driver’s license and access to a car are an asset.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit a letter of introduction and résumé by email to janetlea@shaw.ca, copied to ggerrard@cityoperavancouver.com.
REMUNERATION:
$32,500
