Director of Education & Engagement

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Founded in 2011, Pacific Opera Project (POP) reimagines opera as an affordable adventure, by making unforgettable, entertaining performances accessible for all. We envision that opera will become a greater part of popular culture as we develop a diverse community of opera lovers and further the careers of talented creators through bold, inspiring performances. Embarking on its 15th Anniversary Season, POP has earned a national reputation for bold productions, imaginative direction, and a joyful approach to the art form. The Los Angeles Times recently included POP among the “Best of 2024 in Classical Music.” POP presents a dynamic mix of reimagined classics and groundbreaking new productions in venues ranging from outdoor gardens and historic theaters to intimate clubs and community spaces. With consistently sold-out performances, a devoted and expanding audience, and enthusiastic critical acclaim, POP is widely recognized as one of the most exciting opera companies in the country.

POP’s EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

POP’s Education & Engagement Department was established in 2021 to support ABIDE (Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) by offering engagement events to the community and serving students in in-school and summer education programs. The department aims to offer an inclusive and welcoming environment where youth and adults, particularly those in Northeast Los Angeles and who may not otherwise have access, can experience opera as a vehicle for human connection, creativity, and entertainment, and an essential part of their cultural life.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Education & Engagement leads POP’s education programs and community engagement portfolio and serves as staff liaison to the Board and its Engagement Committee. The Director is the primary point of contact for school districts and partner organizations, builds and stewards partnerships, designs curricula and education materials, curates engagement events, recruits, trains, and schedules volunteers and teaching artists, and creates innovative experiences that foster audience welcome and belonging. The role blends relationship-centered practice with data-informed planning and evaluation, deepening POP’s ties across the community and expanding access to opera. This is an exciting opportunity for a mission-driven arts educator to assess, strengthen, and grow an established department in close collaboration with teaching artists, volunteers, and an engaged Board of Directors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Education Programming

• Lead outreach to offer POP education programs to new and returning schools and community sites
• Design and adapt engaging and age-appropriate curricula and materials
• Lead the teaching-artist cohort: recruit, schedule, mentor, and evaluate
• Maintain basic compliance and site requirements with partner schools
• Conduct program evaluations to support funding efforts and reporting

Engagement Programming

• Create engagement plans for each mainstage production
• Curate and produce POP’s portfolio of community events and performances that expand arts access and deepen community relationships

Mainstage Program Support

• Curate preshow performances and experiences tailored to each production
• Create a welcoming, accessible audience experience
• Plan audience receptions, coordinating logistics with Production and Development
• Coordinate and lead volunteer teams for all performances

Partnerships

• Foster authentic, long-term partnerships with schools, libraries, and community and civic organizations across Los Angeles, and especially in our community of Northeast LA
• Design programs with partners to meet community needs and expand access
• Represent POP at community events and serve as the primary point of contact

Program Evaluation, Metrics & Data Collection

• Lead POP’s evaluation efforts to drive organizational learning and support fundraising, designing and implementing evaluation tools for education, engagement, and mainstage programs
• Maintain excellent data hygiene for grants, reports, and internal decision-making
• Conduct an annual review of goals, objectives, and outcomes, and recommend adjustments to improve impact and access

Strategic Vision & Long-Range Planning

• Aligned with POP’s Three-Year Strategic Plan, establish a vision for Education & Engagement Department programming, informed by a clear rationale of service and supported by strong objectives, outcomes, and impact
• Work closely with Development, sharing goals and outcomes to support funding
• Liaise with the Chair of the Engagement Committee to prepare reports for board and committee meetings

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of arts education program management
• Knowledge of opera and/or classical music required
• A passion for making meaningful connections with people through the arts
• Demonstrated track record of building community collaborations and partnerships, and a familiarity with Los Angeles area education systems and local service organizations
• Track record of success in program management and sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of diverse participants
• Fosters a team culture of support, emotional safety, and integrity
• Ability to establish priorities and multitask, with strong organizational and creative problem-solving skills, a positive growth mindset, and attention to detail
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including extended hours, evenings, and weekends for department events and company performances
• Proficiency in Google Suite and ability to learn new software as required
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus

SCHEDULE This is a full-time, exempt, hybrid position. Typical schedule is Monday–Friday with evening/weekend hours during performances, rehearsals, school programs, and community events.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume by October 6, 2025, to kpowers@pacificoperaproject.com with “Director of Education & Engagement” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed and interviews set up on a rolling basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Health benefits and access to Traditional and Roth 403(b) retirement options.

Spanish proficiency is a plus but not required.