Lyric employs a year-round administrative staff of approximately 90, including management, professional, and support personnel in:
- Artistic, Production, and Technical Operations
- Development, Donor Services, and Special Events
- Finance, Facilities Management, Information Systems, Office Services, and Human Resources
- Marketing, Media & Public Relations, Tickets, and Education
Full Time Job Listings
Updated: June 14, 2013
Position: Administrative Coordinator—Planned and Individual Giving
Reports to: Director of Planned Giving and Director of Individual Giving
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide high level customer service to Ryan Opera Center Board members and Overture Society members (planned givers), including entering performance ticket exchanges and Graham Room reservations, answering phones, composing meeting notices, memos, emails, and thank you notes.
• Schedule meetings and appointments for supervisors, develop and maintain filing system for applicable activities and events. Assist with maintenance of database records as related to correspondence and activity tracking.
• Assist with planning and detailed arrangements for Ryan Opera Center ongoing patron activities, including in-home hosted events (Soiree), program series at sister institutions (Art Institute and WFMT), Final Auditions and VIP attendance at Rising Stars, etc. Assist with planning and detailed arrangements for Overture Society Appreciation Luncheons and Planned Giving Seminars. Prepare and assemble invitation mailings and email correspondence, track responses in enterprise database, and complete post-event tasks as assigned. Periodic weekend and evening event work required for various programs.
• Provide administrative support for Ryan Opera Center Board Committees (Fundraising, Nominations, etc.). Prepare and distribute meeting notices, agenda and applicable reports, including assigned research tasks. Take and transcribe minutes, and provide accurate record of ongoing peer-to-peer solicitor activity in database.
• Maintain confidential Planned Giving records, including planned giving, seat-naming, and future endowment gifts; keep information current/accurate, generate targeted mailing lists, produce and analyze regular/ad-hoc data reports. Assist supervisor in monitoring open estates in and through Probate.
• Assist other units of the department as assigned.
Management retains the right to change or add to the duties of the position at any time.
Knowledge and Skills:
Demonstrated ability to accurately organize and complete multiple project-related tasks while simultaneously maintaining a high level of attention to the details associated with ongoing administrative duties. Strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills are essential, including the ability to interact effectively (in person and via telephone) with a wide range of personalities. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft office, including word, excel, and power point. Previous special events and/or planned giving experience is extremely desirable, as is familiarity with Tessitura and/or CRM software.
Start Date: Immediate
Posted: June 14, 2013
Please forward cover letter and resume to Human Resources Department.
Position: Research Associate
Reports to: Assistant Director of Development – Donor Relations and Research
Duties and Responsibilities:
•Assist supervisor in research for both annual campaign and CFE2 campaign including creating detailed research profiles for solicitation staff. Maintain research templates, work with Development staff to research and identify potential donors based on the needs of their areas.
•Assist appropriate staff to identify giving capacity and potential areas of interest for patrons currently affiliated with Lyric. Assist in identifying potential prospects and help assess likelihood for giving in all areas of needed support.
•Monitor current media for board member and major donor news, and philanthropic trends; create periodic update email as needed to keep internal and/or external constituencies alerted of related news concerning the Lyric donor family. Regularly cross-reference comparable institutions’ giving and advise appropriate staff.
•Manage research of donors in order to identify potential willingness to increase gifts; prioritize workload with focus on presently unknown, regular donors and off-radar donors. Periodically, with supervisor, review entire database for likely prospects for new gifts based on trend analysis of recent giving.
•Regularly identify key indicators of propensity unique to organization and forward to staff for discussion. Attend weekly prospect meetings and track all progress of solicitation cycle; record all information in database. Assist senior staff with tracking, and ensure all solicitation tracking is up to date within database.
•Research and create profiles for all new event attendees pre-event, and provided detailed research bios for all attendees of Grand Benefactor Dinners and Production Sponsorship dinners. Gather and record in Tessitura all post-event feedback and new information; hand off to appropriate staff any next steps.
•Review existing central files for imperative information that should be scanned/appended to fundraising database, and implement.
•Complete special projects and attend and assist with special events and other departmental objectives, as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills:
2+ years of experience in the areas of nonprofit prospect research or fundraising. Previous experience in creating research profiles and effective written communication skills required. Analytical aptitude, proficiency with MS-Office products (Word, Excel), and familiarity with fundraising databases highly desirable. Tessitura experience and knowledge of opera or the arts a plus.
Posted: May 1, 2013
Start Date: July 1, 2013
Please forward cover letter and resume to Human Resources Department.
Postion: Director of Marketing
Lyric Opera of Chicago, one of the world’s most admired and successful arts organizations, seeks an innovative and successful Director of Marketing to maximize ticket sales revenue, and drive participation in Lyric’s extensive public and educational programming.
Steeped in almost 60 years of ground-breaking work by diverse artists, Lyric and its new leadership team continue to build a reputation for excellence and audience engagement. Just four leaders have held the post of General Director, with dynamic innovator Anthony Freud assuming the position in 2011. He is joined by internationally renowned conductor Sir Andrew Davis (just the second Music Director in Lyric’s history), and celebrated soprano Renée Fleming, who recently joined Lyric as the organization’s Creative Consultant. A new energy exists around this great team and company, an energy that has already had a tangible impact on Lyric’s performances, programs and operations. Together with Lyric’s staff and board, Freud, Davis and Fleming are introducing a groundbreaking new strategic plan that includes (and demands), new programming, new marketing and new innovation geared to developing new audiences.
Over the next years Lyric will offer performances on the mainstage of the Civic Opera House as well as throughout the Chicago metro area, delivering a balance of traditional opera, an annual Broadway musical, and innovative and experimental programs. Such activities are designed to thrill current and develop new audiences, with the Director of Marketing playing a critical role in driving attendance and earned income though:
• A strong triple-bottom-line emphasis on Lyric’s artistic excellence, public and audience engagement, and financial responsibility.
• Exceptional performances, including 2012/13 productions of Elektra, Don Pasquale, La Bohème, Rigoletto, A Streetcar Named Desire, among others. Lyric has also announced the World Premiere of Bel Canto for the 2015/16 season, and will ensure that world premieres remain an important part of its future.
• Lyric Unlimited Initiative, a series of projects combining classic operatic arts and popular culture in an engaging mix that attracts new audiences of diverse ages, backgrounds and interests into the Lyric fold. Examples include presentation of the world’s first Mariachi Opera, collaboration with the Second City comedy troupe, and a strong partnership with the Merit School of Music to involve Chicago youth in opera.
• Ryan Opera Center Lyric’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is recognized as offering one of the world’s premier artist training programs for opera singers. More than 500 singers audition annually for 12 admittance slots.
• Audience Education, delivered through Lyric's Education Department that engage more diverse audiences through interesting operatic arts education experiences.
Having balanced its budget for 24 of the last 25 years, Lyric currently has an operating budget of $6 m funded by ticket revenues of $30m, contributed revenue of $23m, other operating revenue of $8m, and the balance through a reserve fund purposefully set-aside for that purpose by leaders who combine a strong artistic vision with prudent financial management. A new capital campaign to further ensure Lyric’s longevity long into the future is now being launched. The Lyric marketing budget averages $3.8 million annually, exclusive of personnel expense. The Marketing Department includes 6 professionals responsible for subscription and individual-ticket advertising, corporate sales, group sales, digital and social media marketing, and e-commerce. Additionally, 7 full-time staff is assigned to Ticketing Services, which reports to the Director of Marketing.
Reporting to General Director Anthony Freud and working with board members, staff, and diverse partners and vendors, the Director of Marketing will lead, plan, direct and implement strategies that maximize Lyric’s ticket sales revenue and program attendance. Digital marketing will be key to Lyric’s future audience development. The Director will manage, recruit and retain a small marketing department of top-notch staff and contractors capable of supporting Lyric’s marketing, sales and web marketing needs into the future, and will play a key role in the General Director’s leadership team.
For more information please contact:
Mark Oppenheim
(415)762-2640 or marko@mOppenheim.com
Barbara Kimport
(415)762-2648 or barbarak@mOppenheim.com
m/Oppenheim Associates
221 Main Street, Suite 540
San Francisco, CA 94105
Part-time job opportunities exist in the Ticket Department for telephone customer service staff to assist during peak workload periods throughout the year. These positions generally require availability for 15–20 hours/week; day, evening, and weekend work schedules may be offered.
Seasonal staff are needed to work as ushers, bartenders, baristas, coffee/candy servers, and coatroom attendants in the Ardis Krainik Theatre during the opera season (generally, mid-September through mid-March). Required work schedules coincide with the performance calendar, and involve primarily evening and weekend shifts. From time to time, non-Lyric events requiring similar types of personnel may be booked into our theatre during the opera's off-season (April through July).
Part Time Job Listings
Updated: June 4, 2013
Position: Telesales Associate
Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking articulate, reliable and happy people, with a passion for opera (or the classical arts), who are interested in joining our telesales team. We offer flexible AM/PM/Weekend shifts, at the best location in town. Our top reps earn $13- to-$15 per hour (base + comm.). Call June Rodgers at 312-263-7526, Mon-Fri, 9AM to 5PM to arrange an appointment. Sorry, no walk-ins are accepted.
Please note: Telesales positions do not require application through the Lyric Opera HR department as outlined above. Please apply directly to June Rodgers at the phone number given. Thank you!
Position: Ticket Office Assistants
Example of Duties and Responsibilities:
• Inbound/Outbound customer service via phone
• Serve as primary point of contact for all phone and walk-in sales
• Become proficient with Tessitura software to process payments for orders, organize and maintain records, patron database, handle ticket exchanges, process gift certificates
• Assist with Ticketing department operations on a daily basis: taking and processing ticket orders, mailing tickets, maintaining accurate and up-to-date information to provide to customers
• Maintain files of completed and pending orders and exchanges
• Other projects as necessary
Knowledge and Skills:
Candidates must be detail oriented and highly organized with a pleasant phone manner, good communication skills. Qualified candidates must have experience in customer service and the ability to emphasize patron retention and maximize sales. Ticketing and/or phone sales experience a plus. Position requires someone who is hands-on and can multi-task. Candidates should have knowledge of and experience with MS Office and managing data in Excel Spreadsheets. Must be available for day, evening, and weekend shifts with flexible hours available; minimum 20-25 hours per week.
Seasonal Job Listings
Updated: May 23, 2013
Position: Props Coordinator
(Employment Period: July 22, 2013 – May 18, 2014)
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assist the Production Design Director and the Technical Director with the development of the scenic and costume design aspects for Lyric Opera productions, Lyric Unlimited events, and other special projects.
• Research, develop, coordinate, and procure: props, set dressing, and armor for all Lyric Opera productions, Lyric Unlimited events, and special projects.
• Assist with interfacing between Designers, Properties Master, Stage Management, Technical Department, and Scenic Artist(s) regarding properties development and implementation.
• Participate in pre-production meetings with Directors and Designers.
• Archive and disperse: production photos, costume record photos, design renderings, and research.
• Attend technical rehearsals and monitor assigned performances.
Knowledge and Skills:
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, in theatrical scenic design and prior experience working in a theater and/or opera company, to include knowledge and training in: scenic design, properties, and scenic art. A demonstrated orientation for detail and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously is essential, as is proficiency with PhotoShop and the ability to communicate through drawing and other visual means.
Please forward resume to:
Lyric Opera of Chicago – Attn: Human Resources
Via Mail: 20 N. Wacker Drive – Chicago, IL 60606
Via Fax: 312/419-1082
Via Email: jobs@lyricopera.org
Position: Rehearsal Assistant
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide administrative/clerical support for Rehearsal Department during the opera season (approximate dates September 2, 2013—May 18, 2014)
• Assist with implementation of daily rehearsal department activities; posting/disseminating daily schedules, providing artists’ services and backstage administrative support and facilitating department communications.
• Provide general office support for department (answering phone calls, maintain filing system, supplies as needed).
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
Knowledge and Skills:
Strong organization, interpersonal and oral/written communication skills. Previous office/administrative support experience, including demonstrated abilities to handle several projects simultaneously and adjust to rapidly changing priorities. The ability to interact effectively with a broad range of personality types is essential. Proficiency with MS-Office products (Word, Excel). Previous experience with music/theater organizations or music festivals and/or artists’ services experience would be a plus.
Please forward resume to:
Lyric Opera of Chicago – Attn: Human Resources
Via Mail: 20 N. Wacker Drive – Chicago, IL 60606
Via Fax: 312/419-1082
Via Email: jobs@lyricopera.org
Internships are available within the administrative office throughout the year for students or "career changers" who wish to gain experience in the arts administration field. Internships may be accommodated in a variety of work areas, based upon the interests and skills of individual applicants; areas most frequently able to offer internships include Development/Special Events, Education, Technical, Ticket Department, and The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center. Availability of assignments in specific areas is dependent upon workload needs during the time period an internship is desired, as well as the number of weekly hours an individual is able to commit.
Although internships are unpaid, a nominal travel stipend is offered; other benefits may include mentoring, complimentary tickets or ability to attend dress rehearsals, backstage tours, and "brown bag" lunch hour presentations. Internship inquiries should include an applicant's area(s) of interest, the time period that is desirable, and the number of weekly hours that are available.
Internship Opportunities
Updated May 17, 2013
Position: Internship for Technical Department
Time Commitment: 20-25 hours per week
Duration of position: As needed: June – August or September-December
From the scenery to the costumes, props, lighting, sound and wigs and make-up—the Lyric Opera Technical Department is responsible for all the visual aspects of a production. That responsibility involves a lot of inter-departmental coordination, planning, budgeting and creativity. The Technical Department Intern will have the opportunity to see how all those elements come together.
Projects/duties may include but are not limited to:
• Researching potential future production rentals
• Documenting past and upcoming productions
• Archiving production materials
• Assisting in revamping the Health and Safety program
• Production scheduling and budgeting
• Design research for production designers or technical director
Required Knowledge and Skills: The successful candidate will be motivated, detail oriented, possess excellent organizational skills and have the ability to prioritize multiple tasks effectively. Strong oral and written communication skills are a must. Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and online research strategies are required. Adobe Photoshop and/or AutoCAD would be a plus. Interest and/or experience in arts administration, theatre production, and design is preferred.