General Director

The Canadian Opera Company—the largest producer of opera in Canada, known globally for the quality of its artistic program—seeks a strategic, ambitious, and collaborative executive to serve as General Director. This is a distinct opportunity to join a preeminent opera company, engage deeply with a committed board and staff, build broader partnerships and support globally, and lead this esteemed organization to even greater renown.

Over the last three decades, the Company has solidified its standing among the world’s great opera companies. It owns and operates the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, considered by many to be the finest acoustical theatre for opera in North America, and produces mainstage works that rival those produced by the great opera companies in Europe. It presents more than 70 free programs annually through the Free Concert Series and trains the next generation of Canadian artists through the Ensemble Studio. Every year, the Company delivers a broad array of programs in partnership with community organizations and institutions across Toronto that inspire and engage audiences.

Now, the Company is primed for an inspiring and enterprising General Director to craft a vision for what comes next. Such a vision should be both locally grounded and globally engaged, promoting the clear artistic strength of the Company and connecting it even more profoundly to communities and organizations in Toronto, across Canada, and throughout the world. The General Director will broadcast this vision and serve as a public ambassador to great effect, inspiring existing and potential donors and audiences to support the Company and engaging the public through an ambitious campaign. More fundamentally, the General Director will be a strategic organizational leader, assessing existing structures and frameworks and modifying them to enable greater cohesion, collaboration, and communication among the staff. In their leadership, the General Director will strengthen the artistic, organizational, financial, and reputational standing and impact of the Company.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications (including a resume/CV and cover letter), inquiries, and nominations should be submitted electronically below.

Sarah James and Ben Tobin are leading this search with Keith Mason and Siobhan Hanley.