Position Overview

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 sponsorships, 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.

Strategic / Long-Term Responsibilities

• 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

Planning and Execution

• 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, sponsorships, 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.

Ongoing Activities

• 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 experiences across ticketing and philanthropy.

• Consultant & Vendor Management: Manage outside partners in development services, prospect research, PR specific to fundraising, and event production.

• Prospect Research: Guide research, qualification, and portfolio optimization to expand the pipeline across individual and institutional prospects.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership in nonprofit fundraising, preferably in the performing arts (or a related field) with a strong record in major gifts, campaigns, and institutional giving.

• Results: Demonstrated success closing major gifts, managing boards/committees, and meeting or exceeding contributed revenue goals.

• Collaboration with Marketing: Proven ability to build integrated fundraising-marketing strategies (segmentation, journey mapping, shared KPIs) that grow lifetime value.

• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills; adept at crafting persuasive cases for support and donor-centric storytelling.

• Data Fluency: Proficiency with CRMs (Spektrix, Tessitura, or similar) and analytics; comfort with forecasting, dashboards, and revenue modeling.

• Leadership: Strong team management and mentorship skills; ability to inspire, set priorities, and hold teams accountable.

• Organization & Analysis: Excellent planning, budgeting, and project management skills.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.

• Mission Alignment: Passion for opera and commitment to COT’s mission to expand the boundaries of opera through discovery, innovation, and community connection.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; employer retirement plan; complimentary tickets; and professional development support.

• Work Model: Hybrid/flexible schedule considered; regular in-person presence in Chicago is required.

How to Apply

Please email a cover letter and résumé (PDF) to jobs@chicagooperatheater.org with the subject line: Director of Development Application – [Your Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

About Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago Opera Theater’s mission is to enrich the lives of those who live, work and play in Chicago by bringing rarely produced and contemporary operas to life, supporting gifted emerging artists, and providing hands-on experiences with opera that entertain, empower creativity, and cultivate a lasting and meaningful connection to the arts. Guided by our core values, we seek to serve Chicago through unique, relevant, and innovative opera experiences that reflect the aspirations of our city — dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking — fostering inspiration, dialogue and belonging.

COT is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and to provide employees with a work environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at COT are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the law. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and all others who may contribute to the diversification of ideas at COT.