Description
Department: Artistic
Location: Seattle, WA
FLSA Status: Salaried, Non-Exempt
Position Status: Regular, Full Time
Position Location: 20% Remote / 80% Onsite
Salary Range: $68,000 - $72,000 annual salary, plus approximately 100 hours of overtime which is paid at 1.5 times the hourly rate.
Reports to: Director of Artistic Administration & Planning
Start Date: August 2026
POSITION SUMMARY
The ARTIST SERVICES MANAGER is a member of the Artistic Department responsible for the complete guest artist experience and for supervising and managing the company’s supernumeraries, dancers, actors, youth chorus, and youth principals. Exercising independent judgment, this position manages hospitality, immigration, travel, and lodging for visiting guest artists; casts supernumeraries and actors; recruits and oversees Artistic Department volunteers; and serves in the Artistic Manager on Duty rotation during performances.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily:
PLANNING
- Arrange all hospitality needs for guest artists including housing resources and arrangements and travel.
- Manage all required steps for International Artist visas, from application through approval. Maintain knowledge of current and relevant work visa laws.
- Cast and supervise volunteer supernumeraries; and supervise dancers, youth chorus, and youth principals—from selection through final performance—including scheduling, wrangling, chaperoning, and maintaining performer calendars, databases, and contact sheets.
- Recruit and supervise volunteers who support the Artistic Department. Hire and manage the youth supervisors for rehearsals and performances.
- Establish strong network with local hotels and lodging owners and negotiate accommodation discounts.
- Provide budget information as requested.
ARTIST SUPPORT DURING PRODUCTION PERIODS
- Provide artists resources for any special needs such as doctors, medical offices, gyms, massage, etc.
- Serve as main point of contact for dancers, supernumerary volunteers, actors, youth chorus and youth principals.
- Serve as the liaison for Development and Marketing needs involving guest artists, coordinating artist participation in activities such as poster signings, photo requests, and promotional engagements.
- Manage all pre-arrival coordination and preparation for arriving guest artists and creative teams, including welcome bags, and serve as their primary point of contact through arrival.
- Coordinate ticketing requests and dress rehearsal passes for guest artists and industry colleagues.
- Maintain the backstage security list for McCaw Hall residencies.
- Coordinate dressing room assignments with Production Department.
- Attend rehearsals and performances as assigned, and serve in the "Artistic Manager on Duty" rotation, representing the Artistic Department and responding to artistic needs that arise during performances.
Examples of Additional Responsibilities
- May be assigned other duties to help support the Artistic Department.
Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree, music or theatre preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.
Related experience:
At least 3 years of experience in artist hospitality preferred. Experience with O-visa application process in a similar industry highly desired.
Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations:
A WA State Driver’s license and personal vehicle are strongly recommended. At a minimum the employee must have reliable and readily available transportation to complete urgent and/or unforeseen errands.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
- Success in this role relies on a detail-oriented work style with an emphasis on accuracy and thorough follow-through.
- Comfortable multitasking in a fast-paced environment; prioritizing effectively and using mature judgment is crucial.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work diplomatically as a supportive member of the team.
- High level of empathy and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle dynamic personalities and difficult situations with grace and discretion.
- Shows initiative and works independently, while knowing when to escalate decisions and seek guidance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and customer-service skills.
- Punctuality and reliability are essential.
- Ability to embrace flexibility and adapt to changing priorities.
- Receives feedback openly and applies it constructively.
- Exercises sound judgment with sensitive information and follows established approval channels, escalating questions about access, authorization, or scope.
- Musical/vocal knowledge is desirable.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of:
- Advanced user of Microsoft Office Suite
- Competency with databases and accounting software is preferred
- Tessitura familiarity is a bonus
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to work at a computer and use a phone. They will sometimes be required to stand or sit for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to indoor work conditions and will work with a variety of guests, community partners, staff, union employees, students, and artists. The noise level in the work environment varies depending on the activity in the building—it can range from very quiet to somewhat loud with large numbers of participants in a program and/or music and singing.
- typical work schedule and required attendance:
This position typically works Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. - During production periods, the typical schedule can be flexed to accommodate nights and weekends during rehearsal and performance periods, as required.
- Must be accessible and able to respond to emergencies that may arise.
BACKGROUND CHECK
Seattle Opera engages a third-party vendor to conduct background checks for all employees. Offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate successfully passing the background check. Any information unrelated to job duties will not be evaluated or have an adverse impact on employment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Seattle Opera is committed to racial equity and to dismantling historic barriers of oppression by creating an inclusive and equitable workplace. We believe that having staff, interns, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables us to better meet our mission. Seattle Opera is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies, regardless of sex, race, age, color, religion, mental or physical disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and/or military status.
Learn more about our commitment to Equity and our Racial Equity and Social Impact Plan: https://www.seattleopera.org/about/commitment-to-equity/
APPLICATION
All applications must be submitted using the UKG portal.
TO APPLY CLICK HERE
Please include both a resume and cover letter with your application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
When you submit your application, you will receive an automated message noting your materials have been received. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to all applicants due to the high volume of resumes submitted. No phone calls, please.
