Be part of the team that reimagines opera in Aotearoa, telling the rich stories of our diverse cultures and identities
Director of Fundraising and Development
Reports to: General Director
Location: Auckland
Part time with the flexibility to grow to a full time role.
Mō mātou | About us
Whakarangatirahia te oranga ahurea o Aotearoa | Enriching the cultural life of Aotearoa
For 25 years New Zealand Opera has presented world-class opera, touring productions, festivals, concerts and other events to audiences of more than 800,000. We have nurtured many local opera singers, and every year we bring back New Zealand artists who are now working at the highest levels on a global stage. We also continue to pioneer extensive participation programmes for school children, young people and adults which have resulted in over 100,000 people engaging with opera in educational and meaningful ways.
We have an exciting 2025 Season ahead, as our small and dynamic team lead opera in Aotearoa in a way that reimagines the art form, embraces our diverse communities and models a vibrant future for NZ Opera.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
NZ Opera has a loyal group of supporters. We want to pursue our mission and goals with more people, and to do this we need to actively nurture and grow our supporter base.
This newly-created position has full responsibility for creating and delivering a development strategy to grow revenue for NZ Opera. This is a part-time with opportunity to grow to full-time.
This will include working with:
- Statutory and Local Authority funders
- Trusts and Foundations
- Corporate Sponsors
- Individual Givers
- Regular givers
- Major donors
You will contribute to the overall strategy of NZ Opera and have a voice at the Senior Leadership table. You will support and grow a small team of dedicated fundraising professionals, and enjoy being hands-on developing external relationships.
To thrive in this new position you’ll have:
- Minimum of ten years’ experience in a senior Development role, preferably in a cultural organisation
- Proven experience setting and delivering on a successful Development strategy for a non-profit organisation
- Deep knowledge and understanding of the Development and Fundraising environment in Aotearoa, with existing strategic relationships
- Strong experience in strategic relationship management of partners, stakeholders, funders, corporate partners and donors
- Proven track record of developing and managing budgets
- Experience leading and managing successful teams to achieve stated outcomes.
- Excellent computer skills, especially in the Microsoft Office suite and CRM databases.
- Confident and professional communication, who has excellent presentation skills
- Brilliant multi-tasking skills and enjoying a fast-paced work environment
- Knowledge of or willingness to learn about Opera
If you’re after a fresh challenge that’s both stimulating and rewarding and you’d like to be part of an organisation committed to the arts flourishing in Aotearoa, join our team at NZ Opera.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
Express your interest by contacting Kent Beasley kent@nzopera.co.nz with a cover letter and a CV.
Participation Manager (Education & Outreach)
Reports to: Director Artistic Planning & Participation
Location: Auckland
Full time
Mō mātou | About us
Whakarangatirahia te oranga ahurea o Aotearoa | Enriching the cultural life of Aotearoa
For 25 years New Zealand Opera has presented world-class opera, touring productions, festivals, concerts and other events to audiences of more than 800,000. We have nurtured many local opera singers, and every year we bring back New Zealand artists who are now working at the highest levels on a global stage. We continue to pioneer extensive participation programmes which have resulted in over 100,000 people engaging with opera in meaningful ways.
We have an exciting 2025 Season ahead, as our small and dynamic team lead opera in Aotearoa in a way that reimagines the art form, embraces our diverse communities and models a vibrant future for NZ Opera.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
New Zealand Opera is seeking an experienced and passionate Participation Manager to join our team based in Auckland. This full-time position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of engaging opera participation programmes, deepening the connection between diverse communities, the company, and the art form.
This role is a key member of the New Zealand Opera team in realising our company strategy through leading, developing, and coordinating our outreach and participation programmes, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all.
To thrive in this role you will have:
- Deep understanding and love for opera
- Experience with devising and delivering arts engagement initiatives
- An understanding and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Proven track record of developing and managing budgets
- Confident and professional communication
- Brilliant multi-tasking skills and ability to achieve deadlines on multiple projects simultaneously
- Ideally a formal qualification in Music, Education, or Arts Education and experience within the Performing Arts sector
Contribute to the future of opera in Aotearoa New Zealand and work with us to inspire and develop the next generation of opera enthusiasts.
The successful applicant will be collaborative, energetic, and highly organised with vision, commitment and a belief in the power of the arts to enhance well-being and the quality of life for those with whom we engage.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design, coordination, and delivery of educational and participation programmes, targeting diverse communities across New Zealand.
- Work closely with artists, schools, community groups, and other stakeholders to develop creative partnerships that encourage participation in opera.
- Collaborate with the artistic team to create and deliver programmes that reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity, including working within Te Ao Māori in an opera space.
- Manage budgets, timelines, and partnerships to ensure programmes run efficiently and within scope.
- Support the development of strategies that strengthen New Zealand Opera’s presence within diverse local communities.
Key Requirements:
- A degree in Music, Education and/or Arts Management, or a related field.
- Proven experience in arts education, particularly in managing arts participation programmes.
- A strong passion for opera and a sound understanding of the art form.
- Familiarity with Te Reo Māori and a commitment to integrating Māori perspectives in programming is preferred.
- Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a dynamic team.
- A proactive, creative mindset and a commitment to making opera accessible to all.
- Previous experience in managing budgets, events, and community partnerships is highly desirable.
Applications from people with New Zealand or Australian citizenship, or the right to work in NZ, will be prioritised.
Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai | Nurture the seed and it will blossom.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply:
If you’re after a fresh challenge that’s both stimulating and rewarding and you’d like to be part of an organisation committed to the arts flourishing in Aotearoa, join our team at NZ Opera.
For a detailed job description contact: recruitment@nzopera.co.nz. To apply, please upload your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role through Seek.
Applications welcomed until 5pm, Monday 3 March.
Board Member
- Appointment commencing mid-2025 to assist with future board succession
- Contribute to the ongoing success of New Zealand’s leading opera company
- Auckland based role ideally
Mō mātou | About us
New Zealand Opera’s purpose is to enrich the cultural life of Aotearoa. By telling stories through the power of the human singing voice, New Zealand Opera exists to serve our communities, our artists, and our artform, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable presence for opera in New Zealand.
Our values of Mana Toi | Celebrating Aotearoa; Mahitahi | Collaborative; Manaakitanga | Connected; and Auahatanga | Distinctive; underpin all that we do.
As a company that has toured the country since 2000, we have presented more than 500 stage, touring, festival and concert performances to a combined audience of more than 800,000 and continue to build on our success. Community is our heart, audiences are our reason for being and artist development is our future.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
We are seeking a new Board member to assist with future succession with a couple of longstanding members stepping down towards the end of the year.
As an experienced governor, with Chair experience, you’ll bring strong commercial and strategic acumen and a deep interest in the arts sector, an understanding of fundraising and philanthropic connections. Your strengths in facilitation, fostering collaborative board relationships and ability to represent the company adeptly through regular engagement with our stakeholders and staff, will be key to your success.
An Auckland based board member would be beneficial, for both geographical spread amongst our board members and with the Head Office team located there.
A genuine interest in Opera and/or the arts, a commitment to our Kaupapa and values and high expectations around engagement and attendance will be important to us.
This is a voluntary position.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
For a copy of the information pack please email Jo Bell at info@amytea.co.nz. To apply, please email your cover letter and CV to apply@amytea.co.nz
Applications close Sunday 9th March.
You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this job.
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