Director, Development Operations

Lyric Opera of Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•$100,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking a Director to lead its Development Operations function. This role will oversee the systems, data, processes, and reporting crucial for the organization's fundraising efforts. The position involves providing strategic leadership to the Development Operations team, managing Lyric’s Tessitura CRM and its technology ecosystem, advancing data-informed fundraising strategies, overseeing gift administration and financial reconciliation, and equipping development staff and leadership with accurate, actionable information. The ideal candidate will be a positive, approachable, and confident leader who excels at working with people, clearly communicates complex information, and is comfortable serving as a visible resource to colleagues at all organizational levels.

Requirements

Seven or more years working within the Development/Fundraising/Advancement field, including at least three years within development operations, advancement services, and/or gift processing.
Proven experience and broad expertise with the Tessitura CRM are required; working knowledge of SQL is appreciated.
Experience supervising staff and/or mentoring junior colleagues.
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and enthusiastically with colleagues at all levels, from frontline fundraisers to senior leadership.
An outgoing, approachable, and positive presence, with the ability to build strong relationships, create enthusiasm for new systems and processes, and help colleagues feel confident adopting new ways of working.
Demonstrated confidence presenting information, leading meetings, and facilitating training for groups with varying levels of technical expertise.
Strong ability to translate complex data, systems, and processes into clear, accessible information for audiences with varying levels of experience and expertise.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, especially Microsoft Excel.
Strong familiarity with IRS regulations governing charitable contributions and tax deductibility.
Excitement for collaborating with colleagues both within the department and across the organization.
Discretion in handling confidential information.
Comfort managing several projects concurrently with various staff members.
Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of opera is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as a resource for Development staff, building confidence and enthusiasm around data, systems, and operational processes through communication, training, and hands-on support.
Lead and set strategic direction for the Development Operations team, including direct supervision of the Manager, Development Operations, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. Provide clear performance expectations, coaching, and career development that build internal expertise and long-term organizational capacity.
Develop and lead a comprehensive onboarding and training program for Development staff, presenting complex systems and processes clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
Serve as a trusted resource to Development leadership, proactively identifying trends, opportunities, and risks and clearly communicating their implications for fundraising strategy and operations.
Present development data, trends, reporting, and recommendations to senior leadership and other stakeholders, translating complex information into clear, strategic recommendations that support fundraising planning and decision-making.
Champion the use of data as a strategic asset to grow contributed income, leveraging analytics, segmentation, and emerging technologies, including predictive modeling and wealth insights, to inform prospecting, retention, and upgrade strategies.
Design and oversee dashboards and reporting tools within Tessitura that provide philanthropy officers and senior leadership with clear, actionable insights into donor engagement, pipeline health, and revenue performance.
Lead routine and ad hoc data initiatives, including list strategy, segmentation, and data integrity projects that strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
Develop and maintain methodologies for calculating lifetime giving and identifying donors eligible for recognition and membership in Lyric’s Bravissimi donor community.
Develop, maintain records and create reports for a capital campaign.
Establish, document, and enforce database governance standards and operational best practices within Tessitura, ensuring consistency, scalability, data integrity, and institutional knowledge.
Serve as a subject-matter expert and primary departmental resource for Tessitura, supporting users with varying levels of database proficiency and promoting consistent adoption of established processes and standards.
Partner with cross-departmental colleagues to expand the functionality and integrity of Tessitura, including evaluation and integration of ecosystem partners and third-party tools that increase efficiency and revenue potential.
Monitor emerging technologies and recommend system enhancements that improve donor experience, staff productivity, and analytical capacity.
Partner with Finance to ensure accurate and timely income reporting to senior leadership and the Board of Directors, including reconciliation of contributions to the general ledger and resolution of discrepancies.
Establish and oversee gift acknowledgment and receipting processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant tax receipts and donor communications.
Provide oversight of electronic and physical filing systems to ensure compliance, consistency, and audit readiness.
Attend and assist with department events and donor experiences. This requires working outside of normal business hours. Advance notice is provided when possible for planning purposes.
As the business evolves, so may this role. These duties may change as Lyric’s leadership identifies the need at any time.