Executive Assistant, Development

REPORTS TO:

Chief Development Officer

STATUS:
Full-time, Exempt

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.

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.

• 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, 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.

• 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…