Director of Operations

Founded in 1978, Knoxville Opera is the leading producer of professional opera in East Tennessee. Our mission is to create vocal and theatrical experiences that entertain, provoke, and console. As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2028, the company is experiencing audience growth, deeper community engagement, and increasing institutional momentum.

The Director of Operations is the organizational backbone of Knoxville Opera, managing the administrative, financial, and operational systems that allow the General Director & CEO and senior leadership to focus on mission-critical work. Reporting to the General Director & CEO and serving on the senior leadership team, this role owns budgeting, CRM and data, HR, compliance, and front-of-house operations, and directly supervises the Finance & Box Office Manager.

The ideal candidate is highly organized and systems-oriented, comfortable with data and financial management, an emotionally intelligent collaborator, and genuinely engaged by mission-driven work and the performing arts. This role partners with, but does not supervise, artistic and production leadership.

CORE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Provide day-to-day internal leadership and help implement strategic priorities alongside the General Director & CEO and senior team
• Build and maintain the systems, workflows, and project-management practices that keep the organization running
• Drive cross-departmental communication, planning, and accountability; lead operational and staff meetings as appropriate
• Foster a collaborative, professional, solutions-oriented workplace culture
• Financial Management & Budgeting
• Lead the annual organizational budgeting process with the General Director & CEO and department heads; maintain real-time budget tracking throughout the year
• Partner with department heads to develop and monitor departmental budgets and financial accountability
• Support production budgeting with the General Director & CEO and the Artistic Team
• Collaborate with senior leadership and the Camerata board on budgets and financial accountability for Camerata operations
• Review monthly financial statements and provide variance analyses, cash flow monitoring, and projections; flag concerns proactively
• Oversee accounts payable and receivable in coordination with the Finance & Box Office Manager
• Support external audit preparation and serve as primary staff liaison to auditors
• Support financial documentation and reporting for grants and Board reporting

CRM & Data Management

• Serve as an administrator of the organization’s CRM (Salesforce/PatronManager)
• Ensure data integrity and hygiene across contact and donor records; enforce data-entry standards across departments
• Build and maintain reports, dashboards, and workflows that support development, marketing, and operations
• Train staff on CRM use and lead CRM improvements and integrations as the organization grows

Human Resources & Personnel Administration

• Serve as primary internal liaison to the PEO; approve payroll, coordinate benefits enrollment, and route employee HR questions
• Lead onboarding (people side), maintain personnel records, and keep handbook and policies current using PEO-provided templates and guidance
• Support performance management, staff development, recruitment, hiring, and intern coordination
• Support employee relations, conflict resolution, and internal communication as needed

Board Relations & Governance Support

• Serve as primary administrative liaison to the Board of Directors
• Support Board and committee meetings, communications, materials, and agendas
• Lead and support the Finance Committee and Treasurer in partnership with organizational leadership

Office, Compliance & Operational Infrastructure

• Manage organizational systems, software subscriptions, vendor relationships, and Google Workspace administration
• Maintain an operational calendar of filings, renewals, and audit deadlines (payroll-tax filings are handled by the PEO)
• Manage non-PEO compliance filings, including Form 990, state charitable registrations, tax exemption, insurance, and contracts
• Serve as primary staff contact for legal, insurance, and compliance matters; maintain policies and procedures documentation
• Oversee office operations, facilities support, and general administrative infrastructure
• Front of House Coordination
• Oversee front-of-house operations at all Knoxville Opera performances to ensure a smooth, welcoming, and professional patron experience
• Coordinate with the Marketing & Communications Manager on performance-related patron communications
• Manage front-of-house supplies, equipment, and logistics

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise the Finance & Box Office Manager, providing leadership, direction, and performance oversight
• Identify staffing needs and operational gaps and bring recommendations to the General Director & CEO

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to ***email_hidden***. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Knoxville Opera is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Full Job Description at: