Palm Beach Opera seeks a Director of Education & Community Engagement to begin full-time work in September/October 2025. This position is a member of the senior management team, leading the department responsible for the creation and implementation of the company’s Douglas and Delphine Daft Education & Engagement Programs.
Arts education has long been at the core of PBO’s mission, and the company is proud to serve students of all ages, families, and lifelong learners through free year-round educational programming in our fast-growing and diverse community. Last season, PBO reached over 6,500 children across South Florida, encompassing four counties (Palm Beach, Martin, Broward, and Hendry) and 26 Title I schools. Key department initiatives include bringing the power of live opera directly into schools with our Concerts in the Classroom featuring the company’s resident artists; welcoming students into the theatre to experience full productions with education stations during each mainstage final dress rehearsal; our popular Story Time Series for younger children which recently launched the sixth original book in our collection, based on Prokofiev’s fantastical opera, The Love for Three Oranges; and an innovative Opera Immersion partnership with the Boys & Girls Club which now reaches nearly 100 students annually who write, produce, and perform their own original operas with year-long mentorship from our staff. PBO’s adult programming currently includes ANIMA concerts which bring live opera performances to those who may not be able to attend mainstage productions, as well as partnerships with local libraries for Conversations, Forums, and Listening Clubs.
The new Director of Education & Community Engagement will build on the strong foundation established by their predecessor Catherine Hughes, who has recently been appointed executive director of a major university performing arts center. This current job opening is an exciting opportunity for a passionate educator to evaluate, enhance, and expand the important work of this department, with the support of a continuing full-time Education Manager as well as hourly teaching artists, volunteers, and an energized Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic ambassador for opera as an art form, and a natural teacher who inspires and connects easily with people of all ages.
Primary Responsibilities
- Plan and execute a comprehensive education and community engagement strategy with a focus on civic practice and overcoming barriers to access, resulting in sustained and meaningful impact and a deeper appreciation for opera among all residents in our community.
- Oversee all aspects of department programming for students and adults, from the booking process, to creating curricula and materials, to coordinating artists and staff participation, to leading sessions and evaluating outcomes.
- Collaborate closely with the artistic, marketing, and development departments on scheduling, messaging, and fundraising, including assisting with grant applications and reporting.
- Represent Palm Beach Opera at community events while networking to enhance the company’s relationship with community leaders and service organizations, school boards and teachers/administrators, libraries, and other arts organizations.
- Motivate and lead education department personnel, providing mentorship to the Education Manager, teaching artists, interns, and volunteers, and helping team members to develop skills and increase effectiveness.
- Create and manage the education department budget.
- Prepare and present reports for the Board of Directors.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in arts education.
- Extensive background in music, with a broad knowledge of opera repertoire and history.
- Demonstrated track record of building community collaborations and partnerships, as well as an understanding of protocols and procedures for public, private, and homeschool environments. Familiarity with the Palm Beach County education system and local service organizations is an advantage.
- Approachable personality with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and foster a love of opera in people of all ages.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an affinity for storytelling. Proficiency or fluency in Spanish is an advantage.
- Ability to establish priorities and multitask, with strong organizational, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills, a determination to succeed, and meticulous attention to detail.
- Effective leadership qualities. Experience managing a team is an advantage.
- Knowledge of computerized information systems and their application, including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Office.
- Must have the ability to work flexible hours, including extended hours, evenings, and weekends for department events and company performances.
- Access to reliable transportation.
- Successful completion of background checks through the School District of Palm Beach County, Children’s Services, and Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County.
This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this listing is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, the company reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed or assigned.
Please forward your cover letter and résumé in pdf format to: pboHR@pbopera.org. Please address communications to James Barbato, General Director. As part of the interview process, candidates will be requested to submit work samples relevant to this position, such as study guides, writing samples, and curricula.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Palm Beach Opera is one of the nation's most highly regarded opera companies, noted for its more than 60-year legacy of excellence in mainstage productions featuring internationally-renowned singers, a robust education program which has a history of deep impact throughout Southeast Florida, and one of the premier resident artist training programs in the industry.
The recently completed 2025 season was a triumph in each area of the company's mission. The three mainstage productions at the 2,220-seat Kravis Center for the Performing Arts were lauded for exceptionally high artistic standards, from the breathtaking performances of soprano Kathryn Lewek and tenor Long Long in Roméo et Juliette, to the captivating role debut of Gabriella Reyes in La traviata, to Adam Plachetka’s iconic interpretation of the title role in The Marriage of Figaro. The 2026 season builds on these successes with classic productions of La bohème, The Pearl Fishers, and Rigoletto.
The company's community engagement programs continue to be a vital force for arts education in the region, reaching thousands of children and adults each year, from frequent classroom concerts, to panels with visiting scholars, and many more activities designed to inspire a lifelong love of the performing arts, including an exciting partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs in which the children create and perform their own operas.
PBO has also become one of the leading training centers for emerging artists in the opera industry. Since the company’s first iteration of a formalized resident artist program in 2004, which included then-rising-star Nadine Sierra among its participants, PBO has built an impressive track-record of success in identifying and training the next generation of singers, and this season marked the milestone of PBO's fifth winner of Plácido Domingo’s Operalia Competition in just the past three years. With the current three-tiered structure, PBO provides opportunities and mentorship for artists at several key stages of their development – from high school voice students preparing for college as part of PBO Studio, to recent conservatory graduates building professional experience in the Apprentice Artist Program, to singers on the verge of launching careers as principal artists through the Young Artist Program.
Palm Beach Opera is located in one of the world’s great resort communities, which boasts an unparalleled quality of life and is known for beautiful weather, pristine beaches, abundant outdoor activities, world-class dining, and a vibrant cultural scene.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person