Headteacher

Director of Artist Development Full Time

NATIONAL OPERA STUDIO
The Board of Trustees of the prestigious National Opera Studio (NOS) is seeking a new Director of Artist Development, reporting to the Chief Executive, Emily Gottlieb. This is a key role at the heart of the organisation, working as part of the Senior Leadership Team and working closely with our staff music team, partner companies, and freelance coaching staff.

NOS is a unique organisation, being the only opera training organisation in the world to work in partnership with not one but six major opera companies, whose General Directors sit on our Board. With a 46-year history of training opera singers and repetiteurs at the highest level, we play a significant role in the UK’s operatic and wider cultural landscape. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation, and have recently secured a further three years of core funding as one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations 2023-26.

This is an exciting and important time to be joining NOS, as we shape the future of artist development in the shifting landscape of opera and music theatre in the UK and internationally. We are looking for an inspirational and imaginative Director of Artist Development to join our team, building on the work of David Sulkin OBE, as we move towards a new strategy, deepen current and build new creative partnerships within the sector and beyond. We believe that voices from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures can contribute to help achieve our mission and continue to grow as a highly valued part of our sector. We are keen to hear from opera professionals from all backgrounds.

Job Title:

Director of Artist Development

Reports to:

Chief Executive

Salary:

£55,000 (FTE)

Hours:

Full-time (negotiable)

Place of work:

This position is based at the National Opera Studio, 2 Chapel Yard, London SW18 4HZ. The ability to travel and work away from the Studio is also required.

Reports to:

The Director of Artist Development reports to the Chief Executive and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team along with the Executive Director.

Artistic responsibility:

Head and Senior Staff Coaches, Artistic Planning Manager, and freelance coaches

Term:

The length of this appointment is for an initial period of 4 years from the date of appointment.

Start date:

January 2024

Purpose of the job

The Director of Artist Development will create, implement and deliver the artist development strategy for the Studio, working closely with the Board, Chief Executive and artistic team, building on the high reputation of NOS and helping to grow its resilience and reach to ensure its ongoing success.

Main Accountabilities

  • To lead the artistic team, comprising the Head and Senior Staff Coaches and the Artistic Planning Manager, and have overall responsibility for the artistic development, monitoring, preparation and pastoral care of NOS Artists
  • To work as part of the Senior Leadership Team to make and ensure the development of strategic aims and to oversee the artistic aims and their delivery;
  • To help grow NOS as a visionary and transformative place for opera training in the UK, for the broadest community, keeping innovation and whole-artist development at the core of NOS; and
  • To facilitate real, lasting change and accountability in terms of diversity and inclusion within opera training and the wider profession.

Specific Responsibilities

Artist Development: Global and National Talent Programmes

  • Work closely within the artistic team, leading the artistic planning of the Global and National Talent Programmes, working to strategic goals set and agreed as part of the Senior Leadership Team;
  • Lead on the professional development and resilience of NOS Artists and programme participants, and be an active member of the artistic coaching/mentoring team;
  • Inspire and attract a broad range of students and young people to NOS programmes, and develop initiatives to increase our reach in the UK and abroad;
  • Bring in world-class cross-sector creative professionals to guide and inspire NOS Artists on all aspects of performance and the industry; Proactively promote NOS Artists within the industry, working with our partner companies, agents, and casting professionals to identify career prospects
  • Oversee the creative development and delivery of monitoring systems and performance evaluation for NOS Artists and participants on our programmes.

Short Courses

  • Oversee the artistic development of our Short Courses, working with members of the NOS team to deliver a rolling programme of courses that advances operatic skills and knowledge for artists and participants; and
  • Lead on delivering at least two Short Courses annually

Pipeline Development: Diverse Voices

  • Ensure a joined-up approach in our talent development programmes and working closely with the Diverse Voices Programme management team; and
  • Be proactive in, and create effective strategies for, the search for diverse talent to all NOS programmes, creating strong links with cross-sector partners in the early identification of talent and building pipelines for artist development.

Engagement with our Communities

  • Help to creatively and strategically develop local community partnerships and programmes for the benefit of artist, participant and audience development;
  • Be proactive in developing positive relationships globally and nationally with conservatoires, other training organisations and companies;
  • Develop active positive relationships with local arts organisations, lobbying groups such as What Next?, and Enable (Wandsworth Council’s arts team);
  • Support, as well as initiate, discussion forums on artist development and teacher training within the UK and internationally.

Governance, Leadership and Strategy

  • Provide regular Artistic Reports for the Board, attend Board meetings and keep trustees regularly updated on the overall aims and plans for artist development at NOS;
  • Provide positive leadership to the NOS team – contributing to the motivation, development and appraisal of NOS staff, ensuring that positive relationships and high standards are maintained;
  • Oversee the welfare and effectiveness of our pool of freelance coaching staff;
  • Oversee the welfare and development of NOS Artists;
  • Contribute to promoting the values of NOS – leading by example and helping NOS Artists and staff to develop their potential to ensure a culture of continuous improvement and development;
  • Along with the Trustees of NOS, the Chief Executive and Head of Philanthropy, actively seek new prospective donors for the Studio, and assist in the cultivation and stewardship of donors; and
  • Maintain proactive and positive relationships with agents, opera companies and other industry professionals.

Partnerships

  • Be active in developing strategic UK and international partnerships for the purpose of sharing best and innovative practices;
  • Actively develop and foster strong professional relationships with partner companies, opera training institutions and the wider opera and theatre industry both in the UK and abroad; and
  • Ensure NOS artistic team presence at opera and music theatre course productions of scenes and operas at the UK colleges.

Other

  • Attend all NOS performances and events, introducing concerts/livestreams where required;
  • Maintain a healthy attendance at our partner companies’ and UK conservatoires’ productions as well as other cultural performances and events in the UK and abroad;
  • Attend Opera Europa conferences with or in place of the Chief Executive as required;
  • Be keen to make a positive contribution to the life of NOS;
  • Work as part of a team and contribute to the viability, strategic planning and development of the organisation as a whole;
  • Act as ambassador and advocate for NOS, and actively support the external-facing functions of the organisation such as marketing and development;
  • Be willing to undertake training as required by the Chief Executive or Board; and
  • Actively pursue and develop all duties and responsibilities in accordance with NOS policies and values.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Passion for and considerable experience in the training and development of operatic talent;
  • Demonstrable dedication to the pursuit of quality and excellence in artistic standards
  • Broad knowledge of the operatic repertoire;
  • Experience in delivering workshops/coaching/other direct contact experiences for artists;
  • Collaborative team player, able to develop excellent working relationships with artists, staff, and industry professionals;
  • Ability to think and communicate strategically about artist development in the context of today’s market and climate;
  • Proactive and positive approach to partnership working with the ability to forge a broad range of strong external relationships;
  • Knowledge of the current professional opera environment and an understanding of industry trends and changes, including an awareness of the context into which NOS fits;
  • A proactive approach to planning with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and plans and manage change;
  • Ability to attract world-class artists . click apply for full job details

Job Overview

  • Date Posted:
  • Location: Anywhere
  • Job Title: Director of Artist Development
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