Director of Campaign and Philanthropy Operations
As it approaches its 50th Season, Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) seeks a collaborative, data-driven, and enterprising Director of Campaign and Philanthropy Operations (Director) to join the Company at a time of vibrant renewal and ambition. In this inaugural role, the Director will serve as a unifying force across BLO’s growing philanthropy efforts, ensuring alignment between operational excellence and aspirational goals. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Advisor and in close collaboration with senior leadership, this role provides strategic cohesion and ensures accountability in ways that align philanthropic strategies, actionable insights, KPI’s, data systems and workflows, and storytelling in support of BLO’s forthcoming 50th Anniversary Campaign and ambitious vision.
Boston Lyric Opera is dedicated to creating compelling operatic experiences throughout the greater Boston area that welcome new audiences, break new ground, and enrich community life. BLO offers an evocative, intersectional approach to storytelling, music, and design that welcomes fresh perspectives and celebrates the rich history of opera while reenvisioning the art form in ways that inspire new connections, making opera accessible and relevant to today’s culture. Carefully cultivated community connection is a fundamental part of BLO’s DNA: for decades the Company has featured leading and emergent artists, conductors, directors, and designers from around the world for its mainstage season, while working with nonprofit, educational, and community partners across New England to offer hundreds of free and affordable all-ages and youth-focused programs in classrooms, public venues like BLO Street Stage, and digital productions. Now, BLO is expanding its reach by offering a window into the creative process with rehearsals and events at its new headquarters and community studios. This inclusive approach is one that invites and embraces all audiences.
Acting as both architect and integrator, the Director ensures that the Philanthropy team operates with clarity, consistency, and shared purpose across campaign planning including goal setting, portfolio management, and donor engagement and stewardship. They will provide critical leadership and perspective across departments by translating campaign objectives into actionable, data-informed plans. This includes establishing and maintaining effective systems for tracking and evaluating campaign progress, designing data-informed strategies that drive decision-making, and promoting transparency and cohesion across the organization.
Over the past few years, BLO has welcomed a new Artistic Director, mounted a successful $11 million Opera & Community Studios fundraising initiative, strengthened its community programming, and secured a capacity building grant for its philanthropy program. As it looks forward to its 50th Season, BLO is entering a new strategic planning phase concurrent with the silent phase of a comprehensive campaign. The Director will be instrumental in helping to define and implement a campaign centric strategic framework that underpins BLO’s fundraising success and institutional impact, offering a rare opportunity to build something enduring within a dynamic and evolving organization.
The successful candidate will bring at least seven years of progressively responsible experience related to fundraising campaigns or major fundraising initiatives, demonstrating deep understanding of development strategy, performance metrics, campaign structures, fundraising analytics and reporting, and cross-functional planning. The Director should have a demonstrated ability to lead by influence and foster productive, collaborative relationships with leaders and staff across an organization to ensure a coordinated and thoughtful approach to all activities meant to engage prospects and donors, helping to inspire higher levels of philanthropic support and strengthen relationships. The Director will bring a strong foundation in campaign and data management, exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, and a deep appreciation for the role that the arts play in building vibrant, equitable communities. The Director will possess a collaborative and self-authorizing style, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm for the mission and goals of Boston Lyric Opera. A bachelor’s degree is required.
