Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis
POSITION: Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis
REPORTS TO: Director, Financial Planning and Analysis
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt
Through artistic excellence coupled with innovative, relevant programming; initiatives to connect with and grow new audiences; engagement with communities to ignite creativity across Chicago; and a modernized Opera House that is the setting for truly great experiences, Lyric is leading the advancement of opera. This collaborative vision will deliver ever more exciting, thought-provoking, and inclusive audience and community experiences – while increasing the gravitational pull of our art form, company, and city.
The Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis is a member of the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team within Lyric’s Finance department. Reporting to the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, the Manager of FP&A serves as a partner to Finance departmental leadership and plays a key role in the company’s financial performance by leading the day-to-day budgeting, forecasting, and reporting activities. This role oversees a team of two financial analysts and maintains a portfolio of departments while also ensuring consistent support, accountability, and reporting across all department portfolios. This position helps explore opportunities to optimize existing business processes and/or implement new processes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Budgeting and Forecasting
Manage the annual budget planning cycle, ensuring that all departments create complete, accurate, and well-supported budgets that align with current and long-range planning.
Oversee the quarterly process of reforecasting fiscal year-end results through leading and attending quarterly review meetings with each department to discuss risks and opportunities.
In both budgeting and forecasting activities, review departmental submissions and professionally challenge assumptions when necessary.
Financial Reporting and Analysis
As part of Finance’s monthly close activities, lead the budget reporting process, preparing and distributing monthly financial activity reports to each department alongside the financial analysts.
Partnering with cross-departmental budget holders, facilitate and attend budget variance analysis meetings to review weekly and monthly revenue and expense activities with each department.
Monitor budget to actual performance during the fiscal year and provide regular updates to the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and other department personnel that identify and flag potential cost overruns and other areas of concern.
Work with the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis to provide corrective actions and timely communication to areas of concern, when appropriate.
Support month- and year-end reporting activities, including providing variance analyses and report reconciliations for assigned areas.
Prepare routine components of financial analysis for executive-level and Board Committee reporting.
Financial Operations
Lead annual process of uploading and maintaining department budgets in Prophix, Lyric’s budget planning system, and assist departments with navigating and understanding their Prophix reports.
Perform Prophix system maintenance and updates as required, serve as a back-up system administrator.
Other duties as assigned.
Leadership and Collaboration
Serve as a partner to Director of FP&A, other members of the Finance department, and cross-departmental colleagues, establishing strong working relationships that grow company-wide awareness of financial results and sustain a culture of departmental accountability.
Supervise a team of two financial analysts providing guidance and mentorship that supports development of strong financial analysis skills and that encourages high performance and professional growth.
As available, lead the FP&A team summer internship project.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
BS in Accounting, Finance, or Economics or equivalent experience required.
Master’s degree in business administration or arts administration is preferred but not required.
Four to six years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, and reporting with at least two years of prior supervisory, mentoring, and/or team leadership experience required.
Prior non-profit experience and familiarity with the performing arts preferred.
Advanced knowledge of Excel, experience using budgeting and accounting software, and strong data analysis and reporting skills required.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles required.
Demonstrated proactive problem-solving and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
Experience leading projects and coordinating cross-departmental processes.
Must be able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced team environment.
Ability to work and think independently, a motivated self-starter who also works well in a larger team.
WORK CONDITIONS:
Sitting for extended periods of time.
Ability to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and to handle other office equipment.
COMPENSATION:
Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $80,000-$90,000
Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 (5:00pm CT)
Lyric Opera offers benefits including 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, and complimentary tickets.
Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.