Director of Boards

Lyric Opera of Chicago • Chicago, IL

2d • $100,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Boards oversees the operations, governance, and engagement of Lyric’s six volunteer boards, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and strategic goals. This role serves as a key liaison to board leadership, manages board-related meetings, events, communications, and budgets, and collaborates across departments to support fundraising and volunteer engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• 5+ years’ experience in Development or related field.
• 3+ years’ experience working directly with a volunteer board.
• 3+ years’ experience managing staff.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, strong project-management and organizational competencies, and a demonstrated track record of success in solicitation of donors are required.
• Working knowledge and comfort working with: Microsoft suite of products
• CRM expertise (Tessitura a strong plus)
• Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who also works well in a larger team.

Nice To Haves

• Tessitura CRM expertise

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership in accordance with Lyric’s mission and vision.
• Oversee activities and meeting agendas for six Lyric boards: Board of Directors, Women’s Board, Ryan Opera Center Board, Guild Board, Chapters’ Executive Board, and Lyric Young Professionals, following best board governance practice.
• Manage staff members who directly support each board with parallel systems.
• Act as a primary staff liaison for the Women’s Board President and oversee all Women’s Board meetings and special projects.
• Partner with Philanthropy Officers as needed to ensure individual board members’ giving.
• In collaboration with the Director of Special Events, work with board presidents and individual event chairs to achieve special event fundraising goals.
• Oversee planning for all Volunteer Board meetings and committee meetings as well as all board-related events and projects.
• Coordinate Board of Directors and Women’s Board trips.
• Coordinate communication between the boards office, the Office of the General Director, and the Office of the Music Director as it relates to the General Director and/or the Music Director’s involvement in board-related activities.
• Work with Artistic, Technical, and Production departments to produce meetings and events in the opera house according to Lyric’s policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Manage expense budgets for six Lyric boards.
• As the business evolves, so may this role; these duties may change as Lyric's leadership identifies the need.

Benefits

• 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
• complimentary tickets

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director