Talent Management Associate

REPORTS TO:              Vice President, People & Culture
STATUS:                      Full-time, Non-Exempt
LOCATION :                 Onsite/Hybrid (As applicable)

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings.

Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can. Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved — come inside.

The Talent Management Associate supports Lyric Opera of Chicago’s people strategy by coordinating and administering recruitment and onboarding efforts for administrative roles across the organization, including the Front-of-House and Stage Door. Under the direction of the Vice President of People & Culture, this role is responsible for leading full-cycle recruitment for entry-level, mid-level, and manager-level positions within the administrative office, while also supporting early-career talent development, institutional partnerships, and culture integration initiatives.

This role reflects an increased level of responsibility and autonomy compared to a coordinator-level position and serves as an important contributor to delivering a consistent, equitable, and values-driven talent experience.

Key Responsibilities

Talent Acquisition & Recruitment
- Facilitate and administer full-cycle recruitment for entry-level, mid-level, and manager-level positions, including job postings, sourcing, screening, interview coordination, and offer support, under the direction of the Vice President of People & Culture.
- Works with VP to refresh recruitment plans annually.
- Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements, organize hiring activities, and support consistent and equitable recruitment practices.
Onboarding, HRIS & Employee Experience
- Facilitate and administer the end-to-end onboarding process for all new administrative hires, ensuring a welcoming, well-organized, and culture-aligned experience.
- Partner with the Senior Manager, People & Culture Operations to ensure accurate and timely entry of new hire information into ADP Workforce Now, in accordance with internal controls and data standards.
- In partnership with VP, develop, maintain, and update onboarding and training materials to support effective knowledge transfer for recruitment, onboarding, and early-career talent processes.
- Document standard operating procedures, checklists, and job aids related to recruitment workflows, onboarding steps, HRIS data entry, and internship program administration.
- Support cross-training and continuity planning by ensuring key People & Culture processes are clearly documented and accessible.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for new hires during onboarding and early employment, escalating issues as appropriate.
- Maintain onboarding records and support audits, reporting, and data integrity efforts.
Internship Program & Early Career Development
- Oversee Lyric’s internship program, including recruitment, orientation, scheduling, and ongoing support.
- Support and help facilitate professional development experiences for student interns, including learning sessions and exposure to Lyric’s operations and mission.
- Represent Lyric at high school, college, and university career fairs and career panels, with a goal of positioning Lyric as an employer of choice and building early-career talent pipelines.
Partnerships, Culture & Employer Brand
- Support partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and external workforce partners to strengthen talent pipelines.
- Partner with the Vice President of People & Culture to reinforce Lyric’s culture, values, and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) principles throughout recruitment and onboarding processes.
- Assist with employer branding, outreach, and recruitment marketing efforts that promote Lyric’s mission, culture, and workplace experience.
Data, Reporting & Special Projects
- Update and maintain Lyric’s organizational chart s to reflect staffing changes and organizational structure.
- Collaborate with the Development Department to assist with grant proposals and reporting related to workforce development, internships, and talent initiatives.
- Track recruitment and onboarding activity and assist with metrics, reporting, and process improvement.
- Support People & Culture projects and initiatives as assigned.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Arts Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 2–4 years of experience in recruitment, human resources, or workforce development.
- Experience coordinating onboarding processes and HRIS data entry, preferably in ADP Workforce Now or a similar system.
- Experience supporting internship programs, campus recruiting, or early-career outreach preferred.
- Familiarity with background check processes, reference checking, and equitable hiring practices.
Skills & Competencies
- Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Human Resources, Arts Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Professional certification preferred, such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or a recognized Talent Acquisition or Recruiting certification.
- Minimum of three (3) years of related work experience in recruitment, human resources, talent acquisition, workforce development, or a similar administrative or people-facing function.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external partners.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and in accordance with established procedures.
- Commitment to fostering inclusive, welcoming, and values-driven workplaces.
- Interest in the performing arts and nonprofit sector.
 
COMPENSATION:

Job Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Salary is $57,000-$62,000 annually

Application Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

Lyric Opera of Chicago 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.

Need Assistance with Your Application?

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to ensuring our employment application process is accessible to everyone. If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability to access, complete, or submit an employment application, please contact the People & Culture Department at  [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . We will work with you to provide an appropriate reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law.