Senior Manager, Opera Learning and Participation


£39,000 per annum, permanent contract

Full-time (5 out of 7 days (40 hours) per week)


As the home of The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, at the Royal Opera House we want many more people to enjoy and engage in exceptional ballet and opera. Learning and Participation is central to our mission, playing a vital role in building and diversifying the future of ballet and opera by inspiring creativity and widening access to our art forms, particularly for young people.


We are now looking to appoint a new Senior Manager to lead the Opera Learning and Participation programme. This key leadership role works closely with the Director of Learning and Participation and the Royal Opera Company to achieve quality and innovation in line with the overall L&P strategy, through:


  • leading a programme to inspire creativity and engage pupils, teachers, families, young talent, community groups, artists and the public;
  • demonstrating a commitment to widening access and diversity through inclusive practice;
  • building an effective and diverse network of artists, partners and stakeholders to deliver our work;
  • and being an active leader in the Learning and Participation team, promoting ROH values and developing best inclusive practice in our work and systems.


We would love to hear from you if you can demonstrate the following:


  • Significant experience leading high quality opera education programmes within a performing arts organisation for a range of learners, with a particular understanding of opera and its potential within a learning context;
  • Comprehensive understanding of current issues in cultural and creative learning and understanding of best practice, particularly in singing and music;
  • Leadership and line management experience with proven ability to motivate staff;
  • Excellent strategic and organisational skills with experience of long and short-term planning of a programme from conception to delivery;
  • Experience of managing five to six figure budgets, ensuring all costs are within budget, financial management is accurate and value for money is achieved;
  • Ability to work with a wide and diverse range of internal and external partners including artists, creatives, visiting companies, conservatoires and non-professional groups.


All of our staff are expected to uphold the Royal Opera House values: respect, openness and valuing the highest standards. The Royal Opera House is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, in particular those who are ethnically diverse and/or disabled. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential minimum criteria for our vacancies. We welcome conversations about flexible working.


A full job description and information on how to apply for this position is available below, please scroll to the bottom of the page and select `Apply Now`. For queries please contact the HR Department at hr.recruitment@roh.org.uk. You can also contact us if you have any access needs to assist you with making an application. Interviews will be held online.



Closing date for applications: 8am Wednesday 3 November 2021.


Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies please.



Sorry, this vacancy is closed.