Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer

OPERA America, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

PTO and holidays

Life/AD&D coverage

Complimentary tickets

Job summary

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Chief Development Officer, handling a broad range of responsibilities including donor and board relations, organizational planning, and external engagement.

The role requires expert calendar management, discretion, and the ability to work closely with senior leadership and across Lyric to align executive priorities, donor engagement, and institutional initiatives. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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, acknowledgments, 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.
• 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.

Skills

Executive support

Calendar management

Donor relations

Board relations

Communication

Discretion

Meeting coordination

Travel logistics

Expense reporting

Presentation prep

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking an Executive Assistant to support the Chief Development Officer, handling a broad range of responsibilities including donor and board relations, organizational planning, and external engagement.

The role requires expert calendar management, discretion, and the ability to work closely with senior leadership and across Lyric to align executive priorities, donor engagement, and institutional initiatives. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.