Opera North is England’s national opera company in the North and a leading European arts organisation. Acclaimed for its imaginative programming and innovative productions on the main stage, Opera North also programmes its own venue, the Howard Assembly Room, with an enormous diversity of activity.

We create music and opera for everyone, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and sections of the community. Opera North is committed to Arts Council England’s Creative Case for Diversity in all aspects of our recruitment and employment practices and were the first opera company to be awarded Theatre of Sanctuary status. We are keen to encourage a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge within Opera North and to support this commitment and to help us develop our policies and procedures, we ask all job applicants to complete our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form.

If you need any help applying to a job, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact appointments@operanorth.co.uk

We do not use agencies to fill our positions, no agencies please.

If not otherwise stated, all deadlines are at 23.59pm.

We regret that we cannot contact applicants individually about their applications. If you have not heard from us within 14 days of the job closing, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion and keep an eye out for future vacancies.

Principal Second Bassoon

The Orchestra of Opera North is looking for an experienced, positive and well-motivated musician to fill the role of Principal Second Bassoon.

The Orchestra of Opera North holds a unique place amongst British orchestras. Universally praised by audiences and critics alike, the Orchestra is the only ensemble in the country to have a year-round dual role in the opera house and concert hall. With headquarters in Leeds and deep roots across the community, we devise work to tour throughout the North of England, as well as nationally and internationally, and invest in dedicated educational partnerships throughout each season.

The Purpose of the Principal 2nd Bassoon role is play bassoon and or contra bassoon when required, to take a positive and proactive role within your section musically, assist the Section Principal Bassoon with the overall artistic and musical quality of your section, and deputise for the Section Principal Bassoon when required.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK or be ready to obtain it. To apply for this role, candidates must submit their application via musical chairs and choose an online portfolio or AV application. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact orchestrarecruitment@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

Application Stages and Dates
Application (Online Portfolio) to be submitted via musicalchairs by 10.59pm Monday 17 November.

Auditions
Selected candidates will be invited to audition at the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds on the following dates in Leeds December – please indicate your availability through your application and mark them in your diary. The panel cannot guarantee alternate dates:
• Monday 1 December
• Monday 8 December
• Monday 15 December

 

Salary: £40,776 per annum
Deadline for applications
: 10.59pm Monday 17 November 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job description

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Head of People Operations

Committed to producing high quality work that informs, excites and entertains, Opera North is looking for an experienced and well-motivated individual to fill the role of Head of People Operations.

The Head of People Operations will lead the day-to-day delivery of HR operations, ensuring the People Strategy is well-embedded using the Senior HR Advisor resources across the Company and translating this into practical, high-quality services being delivered. Working closely with the People Director, the postholder will drive compliance, deliver strategic initiatives through practical people practitioner skills, and oversee the development of HRIS systems, policies, and processes that enable colleagues and managers to thrive.

To apply for this role, please send a CV via the Hireful website. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact people@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

 

Salary: £50,000 per annum
Deadline for applications
: Friday 14 November 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job pack

Apply now

Production Electrician

Committed to producing high quality work that informs, excites and entertains, Opera North is looking for an experienced and well-motivated individual to fill the role of Production Electrician.

The successful candidate will be expected to work effectively as part of the team, making sure that all activities are carried out to the highest standards of safety, efficiency and quality. Essential requirements for the job include a proven track record of lighting sound and AV work, team work and a positive attitude towards health and safety.

To apply for this role, please send your CV via the link below. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact Appointments@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

 

Salary: £33,300 per annum
Deadline for applications
: Sunday 30 November 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job pack

Apply now

Executive Assistant

Opera North is England’s national opera company in the north and a leading European arts organisation. Based in Leeds, the company is committed to producing work of the highest quality that excites, challenges and entertains.

This role provides professional, highly efficient and confidential administration support to the General Director (who is also the CEO).

To apply for this role, please send your CV via the link below. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact people@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

 

Salary: £30,000 per annum
Deadline for applications
: Sunday 16 November 2025
Interviews to be held on: Thursday 27 November 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job pack

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Higher Education Partnerships Lead

Rooted in northern communities but global in outlook, the Learning & Engagement team Make Opera Vital by collaborating with professional artists to deliver operatic participative arts, and family and community-based performance activity, by, with and for people of all ages.

Working in partnership to create new knowledge, enhance skills and inspire creativity that strengthens learners, makers and places, an opportunity has arisen for a Higher Education Partnerships Lead to develop and deliver Opera North’s partnerships with Higher Education institutions.

The successful candidate will have experience of working in, or with, the Higher Education sector in addition to significant experience of project management and demonstrable experience of building and sustaining partnerships.

To apply for this role, please send your CV via the link below. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact people@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

 

Salary: £35,700 per annum (pro rata)
Deadline for applications
: Monday 10 November 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job pack

Apply now

Section Principal Cello

The Orchestra of Opera North is looking for an experienced, positive and well-motivated musician to fill the role of Section Principal Cello. Providing artistic direction, shaping musical interpretation, and maintaining high performance standards you will be responsible for guiding the section’s musical output, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere that enables everyone to perform at their best.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK or be ready to obtain it. To apply for this role, candidates must submit their application via musical chairs and choose an online portfolio or AV application. If you need any help completing your application, including any adjustments to the application process, please contact orchestrarecruitment@operanorth.co.uk to make us aware.

Application Stages and Dates
Application (Online Portfolio) to be submitted via musicalchairs by 10.59pm Friday 5 December.

Auditions
Selected candidates will be invited to audition at the Howard Opera Centre in Leeds on Wednesday 7 or Thursday 8 January 2026.

 

Salary: £ 45,613 per annum
Deadline for applications
: 10.59pm Friday 5 December 2025
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy | Job description

Apply now

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