Executive Assistant, Development

Lyric Opera of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Lyric Opera of Chicago seeks an Executive Assistant to support the Chief Development Officer. This role requires a highly organized, resourceful professional who can manage a demanding calendar, coordinate board and donor activities, and work closely with leadership across the organization.

You will compile materials, prepare briefings, and handle confidential information with discretion, while coordinating travel, meetings, and communications.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of Executive Assistant experience supporting senior executives at the C-suite level.
• Discretion and confidentiality in handling sensitive information.
• High attention to detail in managing multiple activities.
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to build trusting relationships across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive, high-level administrative support to the Chief Development Officer.
• Manage a complex and dynamic calendar, coordinating meetings, travel and priorities.
• Prepare agendas, briefing materials, and ensure CDO is prepared for engagements.
• Coordinate donor and board engagement, events, and communications with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Lyric offices to align executive priorities and follow-up.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Donor relations

Board relations

Communication skills

Discretion / confidentiality

Relationship building

Prioritization / time management

Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

CRM experience (Tessitura)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Google Workspace

Tessitura CRM

Job description

REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

ABOUT LYRIC OPERA

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

Lyric Opera of Chicago seeks a highly organized, resourceful, and proactive Executive Assistant to support the Chief Development Officer (CDO). This position plays an important role in helping the CDO manage a broad range of responsibilities, including donor and board relationships, Development leadership, organizational planning, and external engagement.

The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted partner to the CDO, managing a complex calendar, coordinating meetings and communications, preparing materials, and ensuring timely follow-through on priorities and commitments. The role requires excellent judgment, discretion, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to anticipate needs and work independently.

As a key point of contact for the Office of the Chief Development Officer, the Executive Assistant works closely with donors, trustees, senior leadership, and colleagues across Lyric. The position also plays an important role in coordinating activities across the organization, particularly in close partnership with the Office of the General Director, to ensure alignment on executive priorities, donor engagement, board activities, and institutional initiatives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Executive Support and Calendar Management

• Provide proactive, high-level administrative and organizational support to the Chief Development Officer.
• Manage a complex and dynamic calendar, balancing donor engagement, board activities, internal leadership meetings, external commitments, and organizational priorities.
• Anticipate scheduling conflicts, preparation needs, and follow-up requirements, helping the CDO make effective use of their time.
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, travel arrangements, itineraries, and related logistics.
• Prepare agendas, collect materials, organize briefing documents, and ensure the CDO is prepared for meetings and engagements.
• Manage expense reports, reimbursements, and other executive administrative responsibilities.

Donor and Board Relations

• Coordinate meetings, visits, hospitality, and correspondence with major donors, trustees, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Work closely with Development colleagues to prepare donor profiles, giving histories, briefing materials, and other information in advance of meetings.
• Support timely and thoughtful follow-up with donors and board members, including correspondence, acknowledgements, and tracking commitments.
• Coordinate with the Boards and Events teams on donor engagements, board activities, performances, and special events involving the CDO.
• Assist with invitations, reservations, ticketing, and hospitality arrangements for key donor and trustee engagements.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and responsiveness in all interactions with Lyric's supporters and volunteer leadership.

Organizational and Executive Leadership Coordination

• Serve as a key liaison between the Office of the Chief Development Officer and departments across Lyric, facilitating communication, coordination, and follow-through on shared priorities.
• Work in close partnership with the Office of the General Director to coordinate executive calendars, donor and trustee engagement, board activities, institutional events, and other initiatives involving both offices.
• Help ensure the CDO and General Director are aligned on relevant schedules, meeting preparation, communications, and follow-up.
• Support the planning and coordination of Development leadership meetings, including agendas, meeting materials, scheduling, and follow-up.
• Assist with the preparation and coordination of presentations, reports, and materials for executive leadership, board, and committee meetings.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in business or equivalent experience.
• At least 3-5 years of Executive Assistant experience supporting senior executives at C-suite level.
• Demonstrated exemplary professionalism, which includes maintaining high-level confidentiality.
• High attention to detail in managing multiple activities and tasks.
• Demonstrated success in building trusting relationships across all levels within an organization.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and assignments with a sense of urgency.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbally and written, with the ability to interact professionally and positively with various personalities and management styles.
• Demonstrated technical skills:
  • Microsoft and Google suites products
  • CRM expertise (Tessitura a strong plus)

WORK CONDITIONS

• Ability to work evening or weekend functions or performances, including working off-site as needed.
• Ability to work in the office minimum three days per week and as needed.
• Sitting for extended periods, and must be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Ability to operate a computer and to handle other office equipment.

COMPENSATION

Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range is $60,000 - $67,000
Application Deadline: Thursday, November 5, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

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 enhancing our diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state or local laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.