Careers at Opera San Jose

Status: Part-Time (0.7 FTE) / Non-Exempt

Reports to: Marketing Manager (following a 6-month brand immersion under the Director of Patron Experience)

About Opera San José

Opera San José (OSJ) is an opera company located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Maintaining a resident company of artists, OSJ presents four mainstage productions annually in San José’s historic California Theatre, while regularly broadcasting fully-produced productions from its state-of-the-art Heiman Digital Media Studio. Entering its 43rd season, OSJ specializes in role debuts, serving as an artistic incubator for established and emerging artists alike, producing world-class operatic performances for diverse audiences throughout the Bay Area and around the globe.

Purpose

The Graphic Designer / Content Creator supports the visual brand identity of Opera San José across the full spectrum of how OSJ shows up in the world — from polished print and digital materials to hands-on, maker-spirited work that brings opera into the streets of San José. This role pairs traditional brand design (print, digital, social, signage) with tactile and guerrilla marketing — zines, murals, wheat pasting, stencil work, and physical art installations — to create a distinctive, multi-channel visual identity that reflects both the artistry and the grit of the company.

To ensure complete alignment with our evolving brand identity, this role will complete a six-month intensive onboarding under the direct supervision of the Director of Patron Experience before transitioning to the Marketing Manager for ongoing, day-to-day operational execution.

Responsibilities

• Digital & Print Design — Design and execute full mainstage programs, print ads, posters, digital graphics, social media assets, and venue signage while maintaining templates consistent with OSJ brand guidelines.
• Tactile & Maker Initiatives — Spearhead physical, “maker-spirited” branding projects that celebrate the hands-on nature of opera. This includes designing and executing zines, handmade cards, murals, wheat pasting, stencil marketing, and clean graffiti.
• Team Leadership — Lead and coordinate small teams of volunteers or staff to execute street-level guerrilla marketing and physical art installations across San José working with outreach to complete necessary permitting for such events.
• Content Capture — Capture original photography using OSJ equipment during rehearsals, events, and performances for ongoing content creation, including high-level photo editing, color correction, and retouching.
• Production Coordination — Coordinate with external vendors, including commercial printers and materials suppliers, to ensure high-quality production and timely delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Experience — 2–4 years of graphic design, content creation, or multidisciplinary visual arts experience (nonprofit or performing arts background is a plus).
• Portfolio — A strong digital portfolio demonstrating a clean aesthetic, versatility across print and digital mediums, strong photo editing capabilities, and (ideally) examples of physical, analog, or tactile projects.
• Technical Skills — High proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and Illustrator) and Canva. Demonstrated skills in digital photography and content capture are highly desired.
• The “Maker” Knowledge Base — A working knowledge of analog street-marketing techniques (wheat pasting, stencil marketing) and physical production (zine layout, specialized paper crafts).
• Soft Skills — Strong leadership and project coordination skills. Must be highly self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects — from digital screens to physical streets.
• Work Ethic — Excellent time management, meticulous attention to detail, and a high-energy, engaging, and collaborative attitude.

Work Location & Schedule

This is a hybrid position (0.7 FTE, approximately 28 hours per week). The Graphic Designer will predominantly work remotely but is required to be on-site a minimum of two days per week (ideally Tuesdays and Wednesdays). On-site days are an 8-hour workday scheduled within a flexible 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. window. Additional on-site presence at Opera San José’s Scene Shop, the California Theatre, or community locations is required during in-theater load-ins, tech rehearsals, performances, and street-level marketing events. The ideal candidate must live in the San José Bay Area.

Compensation

This is a part-time, hourly position paid at $28.00 – $32.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. This part-time role is not eligible for benefits, and no housing or travel stipend is provided.

Company Culture

Opera San José, in desiring a more equitable world, is committed to fostering equity in our art form. Opera in the twenty-first century can and should demonstrate today’s values of equity and inclusion. We believe in building, fostering, and sustaining a company that reflects, celebrates, and serves the diverse communities of the Bay Area. Opera San José cultivates a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees. We are firmly committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds may grow personally and professionally.

Opera San José is an equal opportunity employer. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, age, physical disabilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or veteran status.

Mental & Physical Demands

Duties require planning, organizing, and performing a variety of tasks applying a wide range of procedures. Requires a high degree of accuracy, creativity, reliability, and the ability to maintain concentration in a dynamic environment. Must exercise mature judgment and maintain strict discretion with confidential data.

Frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. Occasionally required to stand, reach, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds (e.g., camera equipment, signage, art supplies). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will perform other reasonably required job duties as assigned. Opera San José is an at-will employer. Employment is for no specific period of time and may be terminated at will by either party with or without cause or advance notice.

Pay:
$28.00 – $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Status: Part-Time (0.7 FTE) / Non-Exempt

Reports to: Marketing Manager (following a 6-month brand immersion under the Director of Patron Experience)

About Opera San José

Opera San José (OSJ) is an opera company located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Maintaining a resident company of artists, OSJ presents four mainstage productions annually in San José’s historic California Theatre, while regularly broadcasting fully-produced productions from its state-of-the-art Heiman Digital Media Studio. Entering its 43rd season, OSJ specializes in role debuts, serving as an artistic incubator for established and emerging artists alike, producing world-class operatic performances for diverse audiences throughout the Bay Area and around the globe.

Purpose

The Graphic Designer / Content Creator supports the visual brand identity of Opera San José across the full spectrum of how OSJ shows up in the world — from polished print and digital materials to hands-on, maker-spirited work that brings opera into the streets of San José. This role pairs traditional brand design (print, digital, social, signage) with tactile and guerrilla marketing — zines, murals, wheat pasting, stencil work, and physical art installations — to create a distinctive, multi-channel visual identity that reflects both the artistry and the grit of the company.

To ensure complete alignment with our evolving brand identity, this role will complete a six-month intensive onboarding under the direct supervision of the Director of Patron Experience before transitioning to the Marketing Manager for ongoing, day-to-day operational execution.

Responsibilities

• Digital & Print Design — Design and execute full mainstage programs, print ads, posters, digital graphics, social media assets, and venue signage while maintaining templates consistent with OSJ brand guidelines.
• Tactile & Maker Initiatives — Spearhead physical, “maker-spirited” branding projects that celebrate the hands-on nature of opera. This includes designing and executing zines, handmade cards, murals, wheat pasting, stencil marketing, and clean graffiti.
• Team Leadership — Lead and coordinate small teams of volunteers or staff to execute street-level guerrilla marketing and physical art installations across San José working with outreach to complete necessary permitting for such events.
• Content Capture — Capture original photography using OSJ equipment during rehearsals, events, and performances for ongoing content creation, including high-level photo editing, color correction, and retouching.
• Production Coordination — Coordinate with external vendors, including commercial printers and materials suppliers, to ensure high-quality production and timely delivery.

Required Qualifications

• Experience — 2–4 years of graphic design, content creation, or multidisciplinary visual arts experience (nonprofit or performing arts background is a plus).
• Portfolio — A strong digital portfolio demonstrating a clean aesthetic, versatility across print and digital mediums, strong photo editing capabilities, and (ideally) examples of physical, analog, or tactile projects.
• Technical Skills — High proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (specifically Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and Illustrator) and Canva. Demonstrated skills in digital photography and content capture are highly desired.
• The “Maker” Knowledge Base — A working knowledge of analog street-marketing techniques (wheat pasting, stencil marketing) and physical production (zine layout, specialized paper crafts).
• Soft Skills — Strong leadership and project coordination skills. Must be highly self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects — from digital screens to physical streets.
• Work Ethic — Excellent time management, meticulous attention to detail, and a high-energy, engaging, and collaborative attitude.

Work Location & Schedule

This is a hybrid position (0.7 FTE, approximately 28 hours per week). The Graphic Designer will predominantly work remotely but is required to be on-site a minimum of two days per week (ideally Tuesdays and Wednesdays). On-site days are an 8-hour workday scheduled within a flexible 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. window. Additional on-site presence at Opera San José’s Scene Shop, the California Theatre, or community locations is required during in-theater load-ins, tech rehearsals, performances, and street-level marketing events. The ideal candidate must live in the San José Bay Area.

Compensation

This is a part-time, hourly position paid at $28.00 – $32.00 per hour, commensurate with experience. This part-time role is not eligible for benefits, and no housing or travel stipend is provided.

Company Culture

Opera San José, in desiring a more equitable world, is committed to fostering equity in our art form. Opera in the twenty-first century can and should demonstrate today’s values of equity and inclusion. We believe in building, fostering, and sustaining a company that reflects, celebrates, and serves the diverse communities of the Bay Area. Opera San José cultivates a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees. We are firmly committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds may grow personally and professionally.

Opera San José is an equal opportunity employer. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, age, physical disabilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or veteran status.

Mental & Physical Demands

Duties require planning, organizing, and performing a variety of tasks applying a wide range of procedures. Requires a high degree of accuracy, creativity, reliability, and the ability to maintain concentration in a dynamic environment. Must exercise mature judgment and maintain strict discretion with confidential data.

Frequently required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. Occasionally required to stand, reach, stoop, and lift up to 25 pounds (e.g., camera equipment, signage, art supplies). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will perform other reasonably required job duties as assigned. Opera San José is an at-will employer. Employment is for no specific period of time and may be terminated at will by either party with or without cause or advance notice.

Pay: $28.00 – $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person