Associate, Boards (Guild Board, Chapters, and Ryan Opera Center Board)

Lyric Opera of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

403B

401(k) with company match

PTO

Life/AD&D

Complimentary tickets

Job summary

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking a development administrator to support the Guild Board of Directors, Chapters Executive Board, and Ryan Opera Center Board. The role focuses on board management, event support, and donor relations to advance Lyric’s mission.

You will maintain board records in Tessitura, prepare meeting materials, track dues and engagement, and help plan fundraising Galas and related events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 1+ years experience in Development or related field.
• 1+ years experience working directly with a volunteer board.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Tessitura CRM.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lyric’s Guild Board and Ryan Opera Center Board activities in alignment with Lyric’s mission.
• Provide concierge-level service to board members and manage day-to-day board functions.
• Maintain accurate board contact records in Tessitura and related files.
• Develop relationships with board members focusing on engagement and giving.
• Track board engagement and participation through databases and files.
• Prepare and distribute board meeting materials, packets, reports, agendas; record minutes.
• Support board-related events including Gala, Moonlight Social, All Chapters Social.
• Assist with fundraising Galas and related activities.
• Role may evolve with leadership needs.

Skills

Development experience

Board governance exposure

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Tessitura

Job description

REPORTS TO: Director of Boards

STATUS: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings.

Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can. Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved — come inside.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Lyric’s mission and vision as they relate to the activities and events of Lyric’s Guild Board of Directors, Chapters Executive Board, and Ryan Opera Center Board.
• Provide concierge-level customer service to board members and manage the day-to-day function of the Guild Board of Directors, Chapters, and Ryan Opera Center Board, including:
  • Maintaining accurate and detailed contact information for Board members in Tessitura, board directory, and digital files, proofing Board listings regularly for programs.
• Developing relationships with Board members in portfolio, which includes
  • Board engagement
  • Giving
  • Overall organizational participation
• Track Board engagement, giving, and participation through database and files
• Prepare, solicit and track annual dues
  • Develop and maintain filing system for member files, activities, events
• Generate all Board meeting materials and logistics, including:
  • Creation of packets, reports, and agendas
  • Record and transcribe meeting minutes
  • Manage invitations and track responses
  • Prepare and assemble meeting folders
  • Manage seating and vendors such as catering and A/V
• Alongside the Director of Special Events, provide support for board-related events, especially Ryan Opera Center Gala, Moonlight Social and the All Chapters Social, including:
  • Tracking responses
  • Writing copy
  • Maintaining files
  • Responding to inquiries
• Assist with implementation of fundraising Galas as needed.
• 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 from an accredited college or university
• 1+ years experience in Development or related field
• 1+ years experience working directly with a volunteer board
• Working knowledge of and comfort working with:
  • Microsoft suite of products
  • CRM expertise (Tessitura a strong plus)
• Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who also works well in a larger team

WORK CONDITIONS:

• Ability and flexibility to oversee evening or weekend functions, deployments, or performances.
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, to handle other office equipment, and to lift up to 25 pounds.

COMPENSATION

Job Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Application Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

Salary is $55,000-$60,000 annually

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.