Audience Development Manager
DESCRIPTION
The Dallas Opera (TDO) is a world-class performing arts organization based in the Dallas Arts District in Dallas, TX, renowned for our outstanding mainstage and chamber opera productions. With a reputation for artistic excellence, innovation, and community impact, TDO plays a vital role in the cultural landscape of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the international opera scene.
The Audience Development Manager is responsible for creating and implementing a strategic and comprehensive marketing plan for recruiting, cultivating, and retaining new target audiences. Primary audience targets include Young Professionals (including ownership of the Crescendo group), New-to-Opera audiences, and non-student group sales. The Audience Development Manager oversees their own budget and implements sales tactics, co-promotions, events, community partnerships and events, and other initiatives developed as part of the annual marketing plan. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications and working across multiple departments, this position is classified as a full-time (40 hours/week) annual role. This role is classified as exempt under FLSA guidelines.
Responsibilities:
Specific duties include, but are not limited to, responsibilities related to new audience identification, community liaison, Crescendo group owner, and Group Sales:
• Serve as internal facilitator of the Board Audience Development Committee
• Develop sales reports to track revenue and demonstrate prospecting efforts
• Actively network in the community and represent TDO at events to generate new relationships and sales opportunities
• Demonstrate knowledge of TDO programs and impact, create value proposition, pricing strategy, and sales messages
• Maintain membership and participation in group, young professionals, and community organizations.
• Work closely with Patron Services team on all pricing and discounts to ensure accuracy of sales promotion
• Tessitura CRM database: Create and maintain patron and organization profiles, manage inventory and seating assignments, fulfill all group sales reservations, and manage payment plans and invoicing
• Create all discount promo codes for Audience Development initiatives and track results
• Create and manage Audience Development annual expense and revenue budget.
Young Professionals (Crescendo):
• Identify and cultivate new young professional audiences to break down the stereotype unfairly associated with the artform
• Stay active in the North Texas Young Professional community, with particular focus on new to Dallas audiences
• Forge relationships with corporations to have Crescendo implemented in new hire benefits
• Work closely with Events Manager to create events for Crescendo throughout the season, including recruitment events, pre-performance gatherings, and partner events.
Group Sales:
• Identify and cultivate new group ticket segments such as corporate, tourism, university students, educators, and alumni, resident communities, and others to increase attendance and support revenue goal
• Proactively call, email, and set in-person sales appointments to generate new clients and revenue streams
• Work with internal team to create all required sales materials; ensure relevant web pages are accurate and maintained
Candidate Qualities:
• Self-motivated with a commitment and accountability to achieving sales goals
• Confident public speaker with strong verbal communication and presentations skills
• Creative collaborator with customer service mindset, and proven ability to build productive working relationships internally and externally
• Exceptional attention to detail, editing, and proofreading skills
• Strong project management and organizational abilities
• Excellent English-language written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Passion for the performing arts (familiarity with opera preferred, but not required)
• Knowledge of classical music, opera, DFW arts and culture, community organizations, and non-profit landscape
Desired Start Date: November 3, 2025
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $55,000 - $60,000 Annual
Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, PTO, paid parental leave, sick leave, 403b savings plan with employer matching, complimentary tickets to performances, and professional development opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY
See yourself at the opera! We appreciate the many experiences and perspectives people bring to our work, and we encourage you to apply to be a part of The Dallas Opera. To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé to recruitment@dallasopera.org, using the subject line “Audience Development Manager.” Please send Word or PDF file only. No phone calls, please.
Application Deadline: November 3, 2025
Application Email/Link: dallasopera.org/about/careers/