Connect our community with great live music.

Join our team and help support unforgettable musical experiences for our community at a 501(c3) non-profit organization that values excellence, integrity, trust, and communication.

OPEN POSITIONS

Donor Engagement Manager Interim Symphony Education Manager Executive Assistant to Senior Vice President & COO

About Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) connects Utah communities through great live music, serving as the premier provider of the orchestral and operatic art forms in the Intermountain West. The Utah Symphony, which performs at Salt Lake City’s Abravanel Hall and is led by Music Director Thierry Fischer, is one of the most engaged orchestras in the nation. In addition to numerous regional and domestic tours, it has embarked on seven international tours and performed at Carnegie Hall in 2016 coinciding with the orchestra’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Since 1978, Utah Opera has provided Utah’s citizens with distinguished productions at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre that showcase emerging and established artists, celebrate traditional works, and champion the American operatic tradition. USUO reaches 450,000 residents annually in Utah and the Intermountain region through its performances and educational programs, which serve more than 155,000 students annually. USUO produces four full operas and more than 175 symphony performances in each season throughout Utah and an annual summer festival – the Deer Valley® Music Festival – in Park City, Utah.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) is committed to connecting our community through the performance of great live music. In service of that goal and to create an incredible place to work, USUO prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetics, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which maintains that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. If you have questions concerning USUO’s compliance with Title VI, please contact the office of the President & CEO.

National Alliance for Audition Support

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera is proud to be a partner in the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras. The Alliance does so by offering Black and Latinx musicians a customized combination of mentoring, audition preparation, financial support, and audition previews. NAAS is a partnership between the Sphinx Organization, League of American Orchestras, New World Symphony, and over 100 orchestras across the nation and is funded by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation and contributions from the member orchestras. Learn more at www.auditionalliance.org.

Benefits & Perks at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Benefits: Full-time staff receive health coverage (USUO pays 100%), 401(k) contribution plan, and paid time-off and holidays.

Free Tickets: Staff receive complimentary and discounted tickets to Utah Symphony and Utah Opera performances.

Work that Matters: Music touches lives for good and enriches our community. Be part of an organization that brings beauty and happiness to the lives of people all over the state.

The staff supports USUO’s mission to connect the community through great live music by doing everything from promotion and fundraising to artistic planning and operations. View and apply for open positions below.

Open Positions

Donor Engagement Manager

JOB OVERVIEW:

Under the supervision of the Director of Development, the Donor Engagement Manager is an integral member of the Development team, responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing a variety of donor-focused engagement experiences throughout the year. These events—ranging from intimate salons and stewardship receptions to large-scale galas and special initiatives—play a critical role in stewarding relationships and supporting USUO’s fundraising goals. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with a passion for producing seamless, high-quality engagements that enhance the donor experience. This is a hands-on role requiring ownership of both strategic planning and day-to-day logistics.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Donor Engagement/Experience:

Plan and manage a wide range of events including donor salons, major gift cultivation and stewardship receptions, Board functions, and special Galas.
Serve as the project lead for each event, creating and managing detailed timelines, schedules, and run-of-show documents.
Coordinate and manage all logistics: venue bookings, catering arrangements, entertainment, rentals, parking/transportation, and technical needs.
Lead event setup and strike, ensuring every detail is attended to—from signage and room layouts to vendor coordination.

Guest Management:

Provide unparalleled levels of support to USUO’s donors through proactive, attentive, and tailored customer service experiences.
Maintain and manage guest lists, send invitations, track RSVPs, and coordinate seating charts.
Produce high-quality materials such as name tags, event programs, signage, and menus.
Serve as a primary point of contact for event guests and donors, providing exceptional hospitality.

Strategic Engagement and Donor Experience:

Support the USUO Associate Board, coordinating all meetings, communications, and engagement opportunities.
Serve as lead for VIPrelude events, managing all planning, logistics, and execution in coordination with artistic and development leadership.

Collaboration and Communication:

Work closely with the Director of Development, Development Operations, and the entire team to ensure event goals align with broader fundraising strategies.
Provide general support to the Individual Giving team as needed, including assisting with donor research, personalized stewardship efforts, and project-based initiatives that enhance donor cultivation and retention.
Partner with colleagues across USUO’s artistic, marketing, and production teams to coordinate event needs.
Work directly with USUO leadership, Board members, and volunteer committees on select events.

Vendor Relations and Budget Management:

Source and manage relationships with vendors including venues, caterers, florists, rental companies, and AV providers.
Track event budgets, process invoices, and ensure events are produced within budget parameters.

Data Management and Reporting:

Maintain accurate event records in Tessitura or other CRM databases.
Produce post-event reports summarizing attendance, donor engagement metrics, and key takeaways.
Evaluate the overall strategic effectiveness of events, offering recommendations to optimize future engagement, stewardship, and return on investment.

Other Responsibilities:

Support grassroots fundraising initiatives through event-driven strategies.
Staff and support donor activities at concerts and special performances as needed, often during evenings and weekends.
Other duties as assigned.

DESIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of 2–4 years professional experience in event planning, fundraising events, or related areas.
Exceptional project management skills with an ability to juggle multiple events at various stages.
Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering polished, professional events.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with budget management.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on donor hospitality.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); knowledge of Tessitura or similar CRM preferred.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Flexible schedule, including availability to work evenings and weekends for events.
Working knowledge of Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Interest in and/or willingness to learn about symphonic music, opera, and Salt Lake City’s arts and culture scene.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prolonged periods of remaining stationary and working on a computer.
Prolonged periods of standing and moving at events.
Ability to move up to 20 pounds.
Prolonged periods of working outdoors in spring and summer months.

SALARY: Pay begins at $59,000/year, plus excellent benefits.

TO APPLY: Please apply online. Application materials should include a cover letter and résumé. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Apply Online

Interim Symphony Education Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

USUO is seeking and individual to temporarily fill a position while our Symphony Education Manager is away. We expect the position to begin in mid-September and to continue for a minimum of 10 weeks with the possibility of a temporary extension, based on organizational need.

The Interim Symphony Education Manager is a central figure who helps ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Education Department at USUO. This individual handles departmental logistics and educational support for Utah Symphony educational performances and activities. Under supervision of the Vice President of Education & Community Engagement, the interim manager helps provide successfuloperational engagement on all levels of the department; most particularly, this relates to symphony education events at schools, in-depth programs for individual students, and other educational initiatives, both on- and off-site. As a liaison with other USUO departments, including but not limited to Marketing and Communications, Symphony Operations, Administration, and Orchestra Personnel, this interim manager should excel in clear and direct communications both to convey the needs of the Education Department while learning to understand and incorporate needs from partners across the entire organization. Externally, this individual will professionally represent USUO to the city, counties, and state representatives through active and helpful communication.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Program Management (in conjunction with Vice President of Education & Community Engagement)

Manage operational components of symphony education programs. This includes scheduling, communicating with necessary stakeholders and physically attending the vast majority of programs which include but are not limited to:
- Schedule and attend all Symphony school concerts and tours.
- Salute to Youth Competition.
- Side-by-Side.
- 5^th Grade Performances

Educational Materials

Working with Vice President of Education & Community Engagement, create and distribute instructional materials to teachers to help them prepare students for attendance at symphony education concerts.
Create and disseminate teacher materials for educational concerts.

Community Engagement

Assist USUO Vice President of Education & Community Engagement in special projects for Utah Symphony, such as statewide outdoor concert tours.
Attend and create materials for Education Advisory Committee Meetings.
Attend community meetings as necessary.
Give tours of Abravanel Hall and the Production Studios.

Reporting

Keep accurate records of symphony education activities via Tessitura.
Prepare reports of education department activities as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

Bachelor’s degree in music, fine art, arts administration, education, or a related field.
Managerial experience as a music educator or team leader preferred.
Strong knowledge of and experience with both symphony and operatic repertoire.
Proven record of successfully working with staff, musicians, artists, and civic engagement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Strong collaborative mindset and adaptability.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; Tessitura experience preferred.
Flexible working schedule, including evening and weekend events.
- Available for out of town tours
  - October 1 – 4
  - October 13 – 16

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Remain stationary for prolonged periods and work on a computer.
Move equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
Must have reliable transportation.

TO APPLY: Please apply online. Application materials should include a cover letter, résumé, and references. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

SALARY: Pay is $25/hour, plus excellent benefits.

Apply Online

Executive Assistant to Senior Vice President & COO

JOB OVERVIEW

The Executive Assistant to Sr VP and COO position serves as an amicable and energetic presence to not only directly support the Sr VP and COO in tasks related to all USUO operations, but also to liaise among USUO locations and departments. As this individual learns the workings of the office of the Sr. VP and COO, they will quickly develop further responsibilities related to sensitive information, timely and urgent needs, and a thorough institutional memory that will become vital to smooth and efficient operations. This individual will act both responsively to stated needs as well as proactively to help the department remain future-thinking and creative. Regularly acting as the direct point of contact between the organization and its vendors and guests, this individual will serve in a forward-facing and active role. We desire a responsible, professional, and motivated person to join us in this role.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Support to the Senior VP & COO

Maintain and coordinate Sr. VP and COO’s daily appointment schedule including meetings with staff members, musicians, board meetings, interviews, etc.
Assist with business travel when necessary.
Prepare COO for meetings; assist with reports, gather information from relevant departments, and schedule and create agendas for Deer Valley Music Festival planning meetings, Strategic Planning Meetings, concert meetings, tour preparation meetings, and other.
Maintain Strategic Planning documents by formatting, tracking, and editing content.
Record meeting minutes for Orchestra Committee and other meetings as necessary.
Help conserve time and create efficiencies and effectiveness of the COO office by assisting in research, reading, and summarizing information, gathering, collecting, and analyzing information and initiating telecommunications.
Represent COO in all ways while maintaining confidence and speaking for COO as necessary.
Attend meetings on behalf of COO as needed and takes notes.
Maintain COO office and office supplies and ensure operation of equipment.
Greet and welcome guests for meetings making them feel comfortable and addressing needs.
Provide historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems both physical and electronic.
Assist with creating and maintaining organizational timelines.
Secure all critical information and data.
Act as main point of contact for the organization: answer phones, provide customer assistance, direct calls, and take messages as necessary.
Supervise the orderly appearance of main office, workroom, and kitchen; ensure a clean and safe work environment; communicate with custodial services as needed and coordinate annual office cleaning day.
Handle petty cash and parking vouchers/validations; monitor cash flow regularly: log, track and reconcile with Accounting Dept.
Organize incoming/outgoing mail and faxes daily; distribute to appropriate staff and contact courier(s), i.e. FedEx; mail drop-off and maintain postage meter; instruct staff in shipping and mailing procedures as necessary.
Work with Information Systems Manager on minor computer and copy machine issues; contact as necessary for maintenance and repair.
Provide administrative support and perform special projects as needed or directed for the Office of the Sr. VP & COO.
Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or with a team.
Ability to prioritize tasks and remain flexible to department urgencies when appropriate.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, and Excel).
Occasional evenings and weekends required.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree or experience in an organizational role at a performing arts organization preferred.
Knowledge of or experience with symphony and opera repertoire preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Prolonged periods of remaining stationary and working on a computer.
Able to move equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
Must have reliable transportation, especially to move efficiently and regularly between buildings.

TO APPLY:

Please apply online. Application materials should include a cover letter, résumé, and references. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Beginning pay: $20/hour

Apply Online