Job Description
REPORTS TO: V ice President of Development
STATUS: Full-time, E xempt
Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking and inclusive audience and community experiences – while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, our company, and our city.
Lyric Opera of Chicago (Lyric) is one of the world’s great opera companies, renowned internationally for its artistic excellence. Lyric has an ambitious plan to increase annual fundraising and raise significant endowment and capital funds to ensure the future of the company. Philanthropy Officers serve as critical relationship managers with Lyric’s most generous donors, raising their philanthropic sights and generating significant philanthropic revenue for the organization.
The Philanthropy Officer works with individuals, families, and family foundations to secure annual gifts of $5,000 and higher. They build and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, develop strong, authentic relationships, and implement stewardship and solicitation plans. The goal is to engage with current donors to inspire increased operating commitments, new commitments, and planned giving commitments. This position is ideal for an early- to mid-career fundraising professional who brings a strong foundation in donor engagement and is ready to deepen their experience in major gifts through managing a robust portfolio and contributing to strategic fundraising initiatives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Lyric’s mission and vision.
- Maintain a portfolio of 100-125 major gift prospects, ensuring timely solicitation of regular giving, with a focus on upgrading operating giving and introducing multi-year and planned gifts.
- Establish operating, endowment, and capital goals for each donor in the portfolio based on the donor's history of giving, capacity rating, and areas of interest to secure, retain, and upgrade these donors.
- Build and execute a relationship strategy and a plan for communications and personal contact for each donor, leading to appropriate solicitations to secure gifts at the established goals.
- Conduct qualifications as requested.
- Participate in Lyric’s donor events and opera performances as required to execute stewardship strategies for the portfolio.
- Work with Artistic, Communications, and Development colleagues to prepare proposals and other communications needed to solicit operating, endowment, capital, and planned gifts.
- Assist Institutional Partnerships team with Wine Auction and Special Event solicitation preparation on an as needed basis.
- Enter plans, steps, and call reports in the Tessitura database in a timely fashion, to support accurate and timely reporting of fundraising performance.
- Work on special projects as assigned to accomplish fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with other philanthropy officers and colleagues to share knowledge and experience on strategy, relationship management, and knowledge of donors, and other areas of best practice.
- Maintain membership in relevant professional associations to build knowledge, learn methods, and upgrade fundraising skills.
- Actively participate in team and department meetings.
- Meet with supervisor, team and department on a regular basis.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with all stakeholders verbally and in writing.
- As the business evolves, so may this role. These duties may change as Lyric’s leadership identifies the need at any time.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Bachelor’s degree required.
- 2-4 years of experience in fundraising, relationship management, sales, or related work.
- A passion for Lyric’s mission, its traditions, and its long-term success. A knowledge of opera is a plus.
- A strong entrepreneurial drive, combined with the ability to collaborate positively as a member of a team.
- Ability to communicate the mission, goals, and activities of the institution.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills in demonstrating leadership and initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail, creativity, and cultural sensitivity.
- Strong project management and organizational competencies with demonstrated aptitude for multitasking, attention to detail, and meeting competing and overlapping deadlines.
- Outstanding communication skills--interpersonal, verbal, and written.
- Demonstrated ability to meet and exceed goals and performance objectives in the planning, execution, and financial goals and fundraising targets.
- Understanding of, and commitment to, working in non-profit organizations
- Ability to work evenings and weekends throughout the opera season required.
- Proficiency in Tessitura or similar relationship management database and in the Microsoft suite of products.
- Experience working with arts and culture organizations.
- A positive ‘can do’ attitude.
WORK CONDITIONS: - Significant evening or weekend functions, meetings, appointments, or performances.
- Standing for extended periods of time.
- Ability to operate a computer a nd other office equipment with or without accommodations.
- Moving/lifting objects, boxes, and furniture as needed/allowed, not to exceed 20 lbs.
COMPENSATION: Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (5:00pm CT)
Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary is $60,000-$70,000
Lyric Opera offers benefits including health, dental, vision, 403B (no company match), 401(k) with company match, PTO (including sick, vacation, and personal days, and holidays), life/AD&D coverage, opportunities for professional development, and complimentary tickets.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Afternoon shift, Weekend work,