Director of Development - Chicago Opera Theater · Until Filled Chicago, IL

Director of Development - Chicago Opera Theater

Posted 5 days ago

The Director of Development (DoD) is a key senior leader at Chicago Opera Theater (COT), responsible for conceiving, executing, and evaluating all fundraising strategies that sustain and grow the organization. The DoD leads the development team across individual and institutional giving, major gifts and sponsor ships, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and campaigns.

The DoD oversees a team that currently includes COT’s Associate Director of Individual Giving, Grant Writer & Development Manager, and additional staff and consultants as needed.

Crucially, as part of COT’s integrated Advancement Team, the DoD partners closely with the Marketing & Communications staff to create seamless patron journeys—from first-time ticket buyer to loyal donor—aligning messaging, segmentation, and stewardship to maximize lifetime value and deepen the engagement of all COT stakeholders.

The DoD reports to the General Director, partners closely with the Board of Directors, and collaborates across departments to align fundraising with artistic planning and community engagement.

• Fundraising Vision & Strategy: Develop and lead a comprehensive, multiyear development strategy (individual, institutional, planned giving, and campaigns) that advances COT's mission and revenue goals.
• Integrated Patron Growth: In partnership with Marketing staff, design holistic audience-to-donor pipelines, shared KPIs, and integrated campaigns that move patrons from curiosity to investment and advocacy.
• Campaign Leadership: Plan and manage special initiatives (Reserve Fund, Endowment, project/capital campaigns) in collaboration with the General Director and Board.
• Board & Donor Partnerships: Cultivate collaborative relationships with trustees, major donors, civic leaders, and cultural partners; staff and manage the Advancement Committee and engage Board members as fundraising ambassadors.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop the development team; set clear goals, foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, inclusion, and high performance.
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access (EDIA): Embed EDIA principles in fundraising practices, communications, events, and stewardship.
• Association of Fundraising Professionals: Follow the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Standards.

• Annual & Multi-Year Plans: Build annual development plans and calendars; align appeals, proposals, and stewardship with the artistic season.
• Revenue Planning & Forecasting: In collaboration with the General Director, set contributed revenue goals during budgeting; manage pipelines and forecasts; report regularly to the General Director and Board.
• Major & Leadership Gifts: Manage a personal portfolio; create moves-management plans; solicit and close major gifts, sponsor ships, and multi-year commitments.
• Institutional Giving: Oversee foundation, corporate, and government grants—prospecting, proposal strategy, outcomes measurement, and timely reporting.
• Integrated Campaigns with Marketing: Partner on segmentation, messaging, and timing for appeals; coordinate cross-channel efforts (email, web, social, direct mail, telefunding) that reinforce brand and mission.
• Collateral & Case Development: Lead the creation of compelling development materials (case for support, proposals, impact reports) in coordination with Marketing to ensure message consistency.
• Data & Systems: Oversee CRM usage (e.g., Spektrix, Tessitura, or similar), analytics, and dashboards to track donor engagement and ROI.
• Budget Management: Manage development budgets; ensure accurate, timely reporting and reconciliation with Finance.

• Stewardship & Communications: Oversee donor communications, recognition, and fulfillment; coordinate with Marketing on shared content and storytelling.
• Events: Lead fundraising and cultivation events (annual gala, salons, backstage experiences), ensuring mission-forward design and clear revenue targets.
• Patron Services Alignment: Collaborate with Patron Services to deliver exemplary service and seamless…