Grants Manager

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) seeks a highly detail-oriented Grants Manager to join the company as we enter our historic 50thAnniversary season.

As the Grants Manager of Chicago Opera Theater (COT), you will play a pivotal role in securing and managing grants to support performances, artist training initiatives, educational programs and community engagement. You will be responsible for identifying grant opportunities, developing proposals, and coordinating the grant application and reporting process. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the arts and opera landscape, excellent writing and communication skills, and a proven track record of successfully securing grants.

The Grants Manager is the primary grant writer for COT. As Grants Manager, you will work collaboratively with leadership staff to write and submit all proposals and reports, and to build and maintain relationships with key decision makers. This position is a crucial member of the Development team and supports the overall goals and initiatives of the Development Department. In this role, you will report to and work in close coordination with the Director of Development to advance ongoing campaigns and launch new initiatives.

NOTE: Having grant writing experience is helpful, but we recognize that talented individuals come from diverse backgrounds. If you possess strong writing skills, an interest in opera, an aptitude for learning and have a track record of successfully acquiring new skills, we are willing to provide the necessary training and support to help you excel in this role.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Grant Identification: Conduct research to identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources relevant to our programs and mission.
• Proposal Development: Collaborate with leadership staff to develop compelling grant proposals that align with COT’s strategic goals and funding priorities.
• Grant Application: Prepare and submit grant applications, ensuring adherence to all guidelines and deadlines.
• Grant Reporting: Oversee the grant reporting process, including tracking progress, compiling data, and preparing accurate and timely reports for funders.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with funders, including regular communication, acknowledgments, and updates on grant activities.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with grant requirements, regulations, and reporting guidelines, both internal and external.
• Budgeting: Collaborate with leadership staff to develop grant budgets, monitor expenditures, and provide financial reports as needed.
• Research: Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and changes in the grant landscape to identify new funding opportunities.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all grant-related activities, including deadlines, applications, reports, and communications.
• Event Support: Act as key support staff for all development events, including annual gala and donor room events at performances.
  Other related duties as assigned

This position is a good fit for someone who has:

• Knowledge of and passion for opera, theater and the performing arts
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)
• Basic understanding of budgeting and financial reporting to develop grant budgets and track expenditures.
• Ability to multi-task in order to meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, and anti-racist and anti-oppressive values

Chicago Opera Theater is willing to teach:

• How to use COT’s Database / CRM
• Industry specific fundraising skills and existing procedures related to donor cultivation and stewardship
• Policies and procedures specific to COT

About Chicago Opera Theater

Chicago Opera Theater is a company laser-focused on living its values of:

• expanding the tradition of opera as a living art form
• producing high-quality works new to Chicago audiences
• identifying top-tier casts and creative talent
• following through on commitments to equity and access – behind the scenes, on the stage, and in the audience

Since its founding in 1973, in a city where storefront theaters and global icons thrive side by side, COT has grown from a grassroots, community-based company to a national leader in an increasingly vibrant, diverse, and forward-looking art form. COT has staged over 150 operas, including 78 Chicago premieres and 45 operas by American composers. In addition to its mainstage season, COT is devoted to the development and production of new opera through its Vanguard Initiative, launched in 2018, which trains emerging opera composers, invests time and talent in new opera at various stages of the creative process, and opens up opportunities for Chicago audiences to become part of the development of new work in dialogue with the creators themselves.

At Chicago Opera Theater, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it.  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.

Salary range is $50,000 – $60,000 annually plus health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation, holidays, sick and personal days; paid family leave; life insurance; flexible & hybrid work options; 403(b) plan; complimentary tickets; and other benefits. Relocation assistance available for out-of-town candidates. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position is full-time salaried, exempt.

Please let us know how you heard about this opportunity along with submitting a resume and cover letter to [email protected].