Financial Analyst | Lyric Opera of Chicago | Handshake

REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

STATUS: Full-time, Non-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 Financial Analyst 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 Financial Analyst assists with monitoring the company’s financial performance against budget and analyzing variances. Working closely with department personnel throughout the company, this position will help prepare annual budgets and participate in the ongoing monitoring of performance against budget. This position will assist in exploring opportunities to optimize existing business processes and/or implement new processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Budget and Forecast Planning

• Partner with assigned departments during annual budget planning cycles to assist in the creation of area budgets and to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with current and long-range planning.

• Upload and maintain department budgets in Prophix, Lyric’s budget planning system, and assist departments with navigating and understanding their Prophix reports.

• Prepare company-wide annual budgets including interest expense, insurance expense, and occupancy-related allocations.

• Work closely with area departments and assist the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis with quarterly re-forecasting of fiscal year-end results.

• Maintain current records of season planning documents, calendars, budget templates, and system training documentation.

Financial Analysis

• Monitor budget to actual performance during the fiscal year and assist the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and other department personnel in identifying, understanding, and, when appropriate, course-correcting budget to actual variances.

• Support month- and year-end reporting activities, including providing variance analyses and report reconciliations for assigned areas.

• Facilitate variance analysis meetings with assigned areas as needed.

• Prepare and distribute monthly departmental financial activity reports as part of month-end close.

• Prepare ad-hoc analyses, analyze financial results of productions and events, and assist with periodic grant and executive-level reporting.

• Perform Prophix system maintenance and updates as required, serve as a back-up system administrator.

• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• BS in Accounting, Finance, or Economics or equivalent experience required.

• 2+ years of prior financial analysis experience is strongly preferred.

• Prior non-profit experience helpful but not required.

• Demonstrated advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and comfort working with budgeting and accounting software.

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.

• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

• 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 and handle other office equipment with or without accommodation.

COMPENSATION:

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

Job Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Salary is $50,000-$55,000

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.