ANNUAL FUND MANAGER
The Annual Fund Manager is a key member of Pittsburgh Opera’s Individual Giving team, responsible for managing all aspects of the annual giving program (gifts under $10,000) and coordinating multi-channel fundraising campaigns. This role drives donor engagement, renewals, reactivation, and acquisition through creative strategy, data-informed decision-making, and seamless execution across print, digital, and on-site channels. The position also supports donor benefit fulfillment and plays a vital role in community engagement, serving as staff liaison for key donor affinity groups to deepen connections between supporters and the art form.
Principal (Essential) Duties
- Annual Fund Management
- Serve as project manager for Pittsburgh Opera’s annual fund and membership programs (gifts up to $9,999), from planning through execution and evaluation, ensuring smooth coordination between Development, Marketing, and Artistic teams.
- Develop and execute a unified calendar of direct mail, email, digital, and on-site campaigns—including year-end, Giving Tuesday, and special appeals.
- Craft compelling fundraising and stewardship messaging consistent with institutional voice and goals.
- Lead special fundraising initiatives such as Noteworthy monthly giving, Giving Tuesday, and mini-sponsorships.
- Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Individual Giving to identify when annual fund donors are ready to move into a gift officer portfolio for upgrade.
- Partner with Marketing to produce annual fund materials and ensure cohesive creative across all platforms.
- Coordinate with the Donor Relations Associate on accurate gift processing, renewals, and acknowledgments.
- Deliver donor benefits and related stewardship communications—including digital email updates, impact content, and recognition—ensuring timely, meaningful engagement and accurate acknowledgment in listings and program books.
- Data, Systems and Reporting
- Maintain accurate donor data and segmented lists in Tessitura to support appeals, campaigns, and stewardship.
- Produce and analyze reports on giving, retention, and campaign results to guide strategy, forecasting, and goal-setting.
- Track and reconcile annual fund revenue; assist with budgeting and goal-setting alongside the Senior Manager of Individual Giving.
- Implement data-driven workflow improvements to boost efficiency, data integrity, donor experience, and team coordination.
- Community Engagement
- Serve as staff liaison for the New Guard and the New Guard Executive Council; coordinate and attend all meetings and events.
- Serve as staff liaison for the Friends of Pittsburgh Opera; coordinate and attend all board meetings.
- Work with the Donor Relations Associate to create and distribute all Friends of Pittsburgh Opera event invitations (excluding the fashion show).
Represent the opera company at cultural events, engage with patrons, and develop partnerships within the opera and arts communities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Posess a positive, donor-centric approach to interfacing with donors and event volunteers
- Superior written and verbal communication skills, as well as organizational and time management skills
- Exceptional attention to detail skills and understanding of how details effect, and are a part of, donor cultivation strategies and organizational goals and processes
- Proficiency in donor/customer relationship management software, such as Tessitura (preferred) or Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
- Professional and resourceful. Posess the ability to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks independently and to thrive in an open, fast-paced office environment
- Familiarity with and appreciation of opera/classical music; high energy and passion for Pittsburgh Opera’s mission
- Knowledge of the opera industry, including an understanding of production costs and artistic funding needs
Experience/ Education Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
- Proven experience in fundraising within the arts, particularly in opera or classical music
- Strong collaborative skills with experience self-motivating and working independently
- Demonstrated success in soliciting and securing four-figure gifts
- Candidates must be available to work nights and weekends.
To Apply:
Please contact Kristin Gatch with a cover letter and resume.
GROUP SALES MANAGER
Click here to download the PDF of the full job description.
Pittsburgh Opera, Inc., a Level II member of Opera America and a constituent organization of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, has an immediate opening and is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Manager of Group Sales and Community Initiatives.
Purpose
Pittsburgh Opera is seeking a self-motivated, enthusiastic Manager of Group Sales and Community Initiatives to join our team. The Manager of Group Sales and Community Initiatives will be responsible for selling group tickets to Pittsburgh Opera productions and assisting with community engagement events and outreach.
As part of this, the Manager of Group Sales and Community Initiatives is responsible for the creation, implementation, and maintenance of Pittsburgh Opera's Group Sales plans and cultivation of new partnerships that can support Pittsburgh Opera’s overall goals. This person reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications and works in close association with the Director of Strategic Impact and Engagement.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Group Sales
• Create, implement, and maintain Pittsburgh Opera’s group sales marketing plan, including pricing, policies and procedures; and oversee a schedule of events that will help grow sales
• Research, identify, and develop relationships with existing and new area groups that would be interested in Pittsburgh Opera productions
• Solicit groups and maintain frequent correspondence with customers and prospects
• Actively grow Pittsburgh Opera’s group business by following up with both old and new clients to ensure continuous improvement in business development
• Build and maintain database of external sales contacts; strong record keeping of group contacts and group interests as they relate to group ticket sales
• Create and manage events for specialized groups coordinating event spaces and catering services if necessary
• Initiate goals and strategies for post-event retention and up-sell to new group sales patrons
• Provide excellent customer service
• Track group sales revenue and expenses against specific targets
• Analyze results, provide recommendations
• Other related duties upon request
Ticketing Programs
• Oversee the RAD Pass free ticket program
• Oversee the 20-Something Tuesday ticketing initiative in which discounted tickets are made available to patrons in their 20s for select performances
• Execute an annual contract with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging liaising with 14 different senior centers to provide subsidized tickets
• Serve as the primary ticketing contact for the Audio Commentary program serving blind and low-vision patrons
• Oversee the Cheap Seats university affiliate discount program and explore ways to expand its reach
• Work with Digital Marketing Manager to create, track, and monitor digital sales campaigns for “Cheap Seats” student discount program
• Manage and grow the Student Ambassador program recruiting students to spread the word about Pittsburgh Opera on their campuses
• Interface with affinity groups such as the Pittsburgh Opera New Guard, both for cultivation events and performance events as well as serving as their primary ticketing contact
Ticketing Outreach
• In collaboration with other Cultural District performing arts organizations, grow relationships with entities including but not limited to tours/travel shows via Visit Pittsburgh, the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Destination Greater Pittsburgh.
• Engage in community relations building with businesses in the downtown Pittsburgh and Strip District areas to cultivate an immediate network of support for sales and marketing activities.
• Initiate outbound group sales to alumni and professional organizations, schools, businesses, and other organizations through cold-calling, networking, in-person contacts and other methods
• Work closely with Pittsburgh Opera’s Development Department on areas where Development and Group Sales efforts can coordinate, e.g. corporate group sales / events / marketing partnerships for corporate donors
• Work closely with Pittsburgh Opera’s Director of Education on areas where the Education Department and Group Sales efforts can coordinate, e.g. group sales / events / marketing partnerships for local school districts and higher education institutions
Community Initiatives
• Work closely with Pittsburgh Opera’s Director of Strategic Impact and Engagement on areas where community engagement events/promotions/partnerships can lead to group ticket sales
• Schedule run out performances for the company’s Resident Artists at retirement communities as a relationship building measure
• Coordinate and lead backstage tours
• Assist with planning and execution for Pittsburgh Opera’s community engagement events including but not limited to Family Day, an annual engagement event providing hands on activities for kids of all ages, and Bravo Academy, Pittsburgh Opera’s annual summer camp for middle school students
• Build and manage registration forms for free community events to collect marketing contact information
• Manage company merchandise sales to increase brand awareness
• Brainstorm, plan, and execute other engagement opportunities with community partners as related to the subject matter in each performance
Qualifications – Required
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent work experience
• Proven experience in group sales, sales, or related marketing experience
o Knowledge of outbound sales calling, event planning, and basic marketing principles
o Knowledge of marketing and research
• Excellent customer service skills
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Professionalism, with the ability and willingness to work independently
• Organized, with the ability to manage multiple, competing tasks and prioritize time-sensitive assignments
• Ability to brainstorm and research potential contacts and programs
• Track record of exercising good judgment and initiative
• Ability to solve problems with multiple internal and external constituencies
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with artists, staff, the public, and volunteers in an effective, professional, confidential and tactful manner
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours
• Some local travel required, e.g. to area colleges and universities
Qualifications – Helpful, but not required
• Knowledge of performing arts, specifically opera
• Knowledge of computer ticketing systems
• Familiarity with CRM; Tessitura preferred
• Special event experience
• Fluency in social media
Salary and Benefits
• The position is full-time exempt. Salary range is $45,000-$50,000, based on experience and demonstrated skills.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision; paid vacation and holidays.
Pittsburgh Opera is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply
Please respond by email only to Chris Cox. Your application package should include a cover letter and resume.
ABOUT PITTSBURGH OPERA INTERNSHIPS
The Pittsburgh Opera Internship Program seeks mutually beneficial relationships with individual interns who are interested in opera, whether from an artistic or an organizational perspective. Each intern will be provided with opportunities to be creative, to accomplish real-life work that furthers the mission of Pittsburgh Opera, and to develop personally and professionally. In return, Pittsburgh Opera will receive valuable assistance that contributes significantly to the organization’s goals.
Internships run at various times throughout the year and are available in several areas, including development, artistic, production, and education.
To apply for an internship, please send a letter of intent, resume, and a letter of reference from an academic advisor to:
Internship Programs
Kristin Gatch, Executive Assistant
Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
No phone calls, please.
STUDENT AMBASSADORS
Become a Student Ambassador!
Now is a perfect time to become a Student Ambassador, spreading the word about Pittsburgh Opera and enjoying exclusive benefits! Established by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition, outstanding educational programs, and a progressive outlook toward the future that we want you to be a part of.
Even if you don’t know much about opera (yet!), if you’re outgoing and enthusiastic then we’d love to work with you. For those interested in a career in arts marketing or education, becoming a Student Ambassador is great opportunity to gain firsthand experience while enhancing your resume. Student Ambassadors will be asked to hang posters on campus and to be a presence at campus fairs/events. Most importantly, we want to hear YOUR ideas about how best to share Pittsburgh Opera with your fellow students.
As a Pittsburgh Opera Student Ambassador, you’ll receive:
- A pair of complimentary tickets to each Benedum Center production
- A free membership to the New Guard, Pittsburgh Opera’s young professional network
- Networking opportunities with Pittsburgh Opera staff and other Student Ambassadors
If you can entice your fellow students to buy tickets over the course of the season, you can earn even more benefits!
- 5+ tickets – Get the star treatment with a pair of VIP seats at the Song Shop concert of your choice
- 15+ tickets – See the show before anyone else with an invite to a Benedum Center show final dress rehearsal
Please contact us via email letting us know why you would make a great Ambassador and an example of how you’d like to promote the opera on campus. We look forward to hearing from you!
VOICE TEACHER AMBASSADOR
Pittsburgh Opera knows that the opera stars we love to see on stage would never be able to share the beauty and thrill of the operatic voice without the teachers that helped them along the way. We want to share our love for all voice teachers out there and connect with those who love opera singers as much as we do.
Pittsburgh Opera’s Voice Teacher Ambassador program is a new initiative designed for teachers both locally and beyond to enjoy exclusive benefits, share their perspective, and help continue to spread the operatic joy that Pittsburgh Opera is dedicated to bringing to the public. Established by five intrepid women in 1939, Pittsburgh Opera is viewed as one of the most vibrant opera organizations in the U.S., with a rich artistic tradition, outstanding educational programs, and a progressive outlook toward the future that we want you to be a part of.
Whether you are a seasoned professor working in a university or run a dedicated private vocal studio, if you are enthusiastic about developing the voices of the world’s opera divas then we’d love to work with you. Voice Teacher Ambassadors will be asked to share Pittsburgh Opera’s digital season of free operatic performances with their students and, as we return to in-person live theater, encourage their students to visit our stages and experience our productions first hand (special student priced tickets are always available). Most importantly, we want to hear YOUR ideas about how best to share Pittsburgh Opera with your students. Please contact us via email to discuss. We look forward to hearing from you!
As a Pittsburgh Opera Voice Teacher Ambassador, you’ll receive:
- Complimentary tickets to Opening Night of each of our Benedum Center productions
- Free admission to our Opera Up Close programs, which offer an in-depth look at the upcoming production with the artists that make them happen
- Complimentary access to select Master Classes throughout the season
- Access to complimentary “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the Arts” workshops
- Virtual and In-Person Networking
- Participation in surveys and “think tanks” with other industry professionals
- Access to select educational resources
