Vice President, Artistic Planning

Lyric Opera of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

PTO (sick, vacation, personal days)

Life/AD&D coverage

Professional development

Complimentary tickets

Job summary

Lyric Opera of Chicago seeks an experienced artistic administrator to lead its Artistic Planning department for a wide range of productions and projects, including Main Stage opera, concerts, Education and Engagement, Musicals, and digital initiatives.

The role oversees casting, contracting, budgets, and production planning, serving on Lyric’s senior leadership team and driving inclusive casting and programming.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field.
• More than 10 years of artistic administrative experience with 5+ years of managerial experience.
• Highly advanced knowledge of operatic repertoire and voices.
• Training and significant experience in opera contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Provide casting, contracting and production planning leadership for main stage opera and concerts, Education and Engagement, ROC, Musicals, and other Lyric productions.
• Oversee artistic planning budgets and scheduling in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Lead casting meetings, auditions, and contracting negotiations with stakeholders.
• Mentor next generation of artistic administrators and supervise staff and consultants.
• Represent Lyric in internal and external relations and ensure alignment with mission and DEI goals.

Skills

Leadership

Artistic administration

Contract negotiations

Opera repertoire

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

REPORTS TO: Chief Artistic Officer

STATUS: Full Time, 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.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking an experienced artistic administrator to lead its Artistic Planning department for a wide range of productions and special projects, including for the Main Stage (operas, concerts, recitals), Education and Engagement projects, Musicals, and digital work. This role is responsible for all artistic planning and administration for the entire company, including but not limited to casting, contracting, budgets, production planning and programming, and serving as a member of Lyric’s senior leadership team.

The ideal candidate will bring strong knowledge of casting, opera and concert repertoire, a background in artistic administration, excellent organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in casting and planning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Lyric’s mission and vision.
• Provide casting, contracting and production planning leadership and assistance in support of Lyric’s lines of business, including main stage opera and concerts, Education and Engagement, the Ryan Opera Center (ROC), Musicals, and other Lyric productions.
• Specific responsibilities include:

Casting

• Propose casting choices & set casting for all mainstage projects (including but not limited to Opera Productions, Concerts – Classical and Pops, Movies, Recitals and other Lyric productions) with General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
• Lead casting meetings and all casting discussions.
• Lead any in-season casting changes in collaboration with the General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
• Secure conductor and / or director approval on casting when needed.
• Participate in ROC selection and set their main stage and understudy assignments in collaboration with the ROC leadership and Chief Artistic Officer.
• Audition chorus roles and understudies with Head of Music and Chorus Director.
• Lead all local and out-of-town auditions for the main stage.
• Be a resource to the Manager of Artistic Planning for the Musicals casting process.
• Be a resource to the Manager of Artistic Planning for the Education and Engagement casting process.

Contracting

• Contract main stage leading and featured roles, concert and recital artists, conductors, directors, associate directors, and choreographers.
• Oversee the contracting of all artists under the Manager of Artistic Planning’s purview, including supporting roles, understudies, chorus bit roles, children, speaking roles, and other artists as assigned.
• Be a resource for the Musicals contract negotiations.
• Be a resource for the Education and Engagement contract negotiations.
• Delegate or take on artist contracting as is deemed necessary.

Production Planning

• Participate in the production planning process with the General Director, Chief Artistic Officer, and Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and prepare all future scenario planning documents.
• Collaborate on future season planning calendars with the Vice President of Artistic Operations & Administration and Vice President of Tech and Production.
• In collaboration with the Chief Artistic Officer and Manager of Artistic Operations, track all future Artistic projects.
• Plan artists and repertoire for Millennium Park Concert, multi-artist galas, and season announcement events with the General Director, Music Director, Chief Artistic Officer, and other company stakeholders.
• Offer advice on repertoire choices to the General Director, Music Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
• Offer advice on music matters to the General Director, Music Director, Chief Artistic Officer and Head of Music.

Managerial

• Member of Senior Management Team collaborating on strategic decisions for the company.
• Supervise Manager of Artistic Planning and any Casting Consultant, overseeing all casting, contracting, and scouting.
• Manage participation of the Manager of Artistic Planning and any Casting Consultants in the casting and contracting process.
• Responsible for the financial oversight of Artistic Planning, including preparing all Artistic Planning budgets and managing season expenses in collaboration with the Manager of Artistic Planning.
• Maintain communication with Music Director’s management on all their internal and external schedules.
• Act as the internal contact on main stage opera casting information, ensuring internal stakeholders are kept updated on artist late arrivals, casting changes, and any other artistic changes.
• Serve as Manager On Duty for select main stage performances.
• Serve as the management representative for select Musicals performance shifts.
• Serve as management representative on regular chorus bi-annual and probationary auditions.

Administration

• Review all marketing materials to ensure artist listings and profiles are correct and adhere to Collective Bargaining Agreements. This includes but is not limited to production programs, season brochures, and other marketing materials.
• Generate season timings, opera overviews, and artist name pronunciation guide.
• Approve the bow sheet in collaboration with the General Director and Chief Artistic Officer.
• Prepare AGMA Schedule C proposals and be a resource during AGMA negotiations.

General

• Research artists for potential consideration.
• Travel to see artists in performance and hear auditions nationally and internationally.
• Network with counterpart artistic administrators and artist managers.
• Attend rehearsals to monitor progress, facilitate resolution of artist service/satisfaction issues, and identify and elevate any artistic quality issues or emerging problems.
• Build relationships with conductors, directors, and singers and offer general support to artists.
• Be involved in public speaking engagements on behalf of Artistic to promote artists, the season, and the company.
• Advise ROC members on audition repertoire and artist managers.
• Mentor next generation of artistic administrators.

As the business evolves, so may this role. These duties may change as Lyric’s leadership identifies the need at any time.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Frequent interaction with General Director, Chief Artistic Officer, Artistic Operations and Production Departments.
• Regular interaction with Music Director, Casting Consultant, Head of Music, Chorus Director, music staff, production staff, Senior Management Team, Ryan Opera Center, Office of Deputy GD/Music Director, Marketing Department, and Finance.
• Regular interaction with singers, conductors, and directors in season.
• Intermittent interaction with conductors and directors out of season.
• Intermittent interaction with Education and Engagement, Development, IT, Facilities Departments and Board members.

External

• Frequent interaction with artist managers and artists.
• Regular interaction with artistic administration at other opera companies.
• Intermittent interaction with local peer organizations.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university (in a relevant field).
• More than 10 years of artistic administrative experience with 5+ years of managerial experience. Artist management experience is a suitable alternative.
• Highly advanced knowledge of operatic repertoire and voices.
• Excellent judgment and analytical abilities.
• Training and significant experience in opera contract negotiations.
• Working knowledge of and comfort working with:
  • Microsoft suite of products, Google Applications
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to work with a variety of colleagues from performers to management.
• Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who also works well in a larger team.

WORK CONDITIONS:

• Ability to work evening or weekend performances, rehearsals, and functions.
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a computer and to handle other office equipment.

COMPENSATION:

Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Application Deadline: Friday, September 11, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

Salary range is $160,000-$170,000 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.

Need Assistance with Your Application?

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to ensuring our employment application process is accessible to everyone. If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability to access, complete, or submit an employment application, please contact the People & Culture Department at [e-mail]. We will work with you to provide an appropriate reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law.