---
title: 'Development Researcher at The Metropolitan Opera'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/development-researcher-the-metropolitan-opera-new-york-695tb7zyt02v'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-15'
---

# Development Researcher at The Metropolitan Opera

- **Company:** The Metropolitan Opera
- **Location:** New York, NY
- **Compensation:** $48k–$50k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-15
- **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/metopera/b2e1ab10-a9ae-4e65-876a-bd88d684ce28

## Job description

The Development Researcher identifies, qualifies, and researches individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of the fundraising efforts of the Metropolitan Opera. The Development Researcher ensures all documents are prepared, proofread, and distributed in a timely manner as well as handling various tasks to support the Research department.

Primary Responsibilities

- Conduct in-depth prospect research and analysis on individuals, corporations and foundations to assess philanthropic capacity, interests, and affinity
- Prepare clear, concise and confidential donor profiles, briefings and research reports to support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
- Utilize a variety of research resources and screening tools (iWave, LexisNexis, Altrata, web sources, etc.) to identify and verify prospect information
- Respond to research requests and collaborate with Development Operations, Analytics and frontline fundraising staff to support strategic fundraising efforts
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date prospect research data in Tessitura
- Montior news, philanthropic activity, business developments, and other publicly available information to identify relevant updates on donors and prospects
- Assist in maintaining research standards, documentation, and departmental procedures
- Leverage AI and other emerging technologies, where appropriate, to improve research efficiency while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and data integrity
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

## Skills and Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree
- At least two to four years of research experience in a non-profit setting
- Excellent communication and writing skills, attention to detail, accuracy and proper grammar and punctuation
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information and material in a discreet manner
- Ability to accommodate shifting priorities and meet deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and research resources
- Familiarity with web-based research resources and use of databases
- Tessitura skills a plus

Physical Demands

- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work well under pressure
- Ability to communicate effectively and interact professionally with colleagues
- This is a hybrid position

The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

## About The Metropolitan Opera

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: The Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music organization in North America, presenting world-class opera performances at the Lincoln Center in New York City and broadcasting them globally via HD cinema transmissions, radio, and digital streams.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Nonprofit; founded in 1883)
- **Headquarters**: New York, NY, United States
- **Founded**: 1883
- **Founders**: A group of wealthy businessmen who built the first opera house on Broadway and 39th Street; the company’s current leadership includes General Manager Peter Gelb (since 2006) and Music Director Yannick Nézet‑Séguin (since20 18)

## Core Business
- **Primary industr/ies**: Performing arts / Opera production & presentation; media & broadcasting (Live in HD, radio, streaming)
- **Target customers**: B2C – opera enthusiasts, theater‑goers, cultural tourists, and cinema audiences worldwide; B2B – corporate sponsors, donors, and foundation partners
- **Mission/purpose statement**: To be a vibrant home for the most creative and talented singers, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world, while broadening its reach through innovative broadcasts and educational programs.

## Products & Services
- **[Main Stage Performances]**: Full‑scale opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center (Sept–May season) – mix of classic repertoire and new commissions.
- **[Live in HD]**: High‑definition live performance transmissions to movie theaters in over 70 countries – a flagship digital product initiated in 2006.
- **[Met Opera on Demand / Streaming]**: Digital library of recorded performances available via paid subscription.
- **[Saturday Matinee Radio Broadcasts]**: Weekly live radio broadcasts – a tradition since 1931, reaching millions of listeners.
- **[Education & Public Programming]**: School matinees, student dress rehearsals, the Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, and the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.
- **[Met Opera Shop]**: Retail merchandise and licensed content.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (nonprofit)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of **$134.4M** (according to LinkedIn data); total funding of **$1M** (likely grants/sponsorships)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Bank of America (presenting sponsor of the internship and fellows program); major corporate donors and foundations (e.g., Lincoln Center Theater, Maria Manetti Shrem, etc.)
- **Growth Signals**: +1.2% headcount growth (693 employees, +15 YoY); continued expansion of the Live in HD and streaming services; renewed focus on commissioning works by living composers (e.g., Terence Blanchard’s *Fire Shut Up in My Bones* , the first opera by a Black composer at the Met); global audience reach across 13+ countries.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Brand & History**: 140+ year legacy as the premier opera house in the United States; unmatched reputation for artistic excellence. 
- **Global Distribution**: The Live in HD and radio network create a massive worldwide subscriber base that no other opera company matches.
- **World‑Class Talent Pipeline**: Lindemann Young Artist Program and Laffont Competition source and develop the next generation of opera stars.
- **Institutional Resources**: Lincoln Center facilities and a dedicated orchestra, chorus, and technical staff allow for production scale unmatched in North America.

## Strategic Focus
- **Repertoire Expansion**: Increasing the number of new productions and commissioning contemporary works to attract younger and more diverse audiences.
- **Digital Innovation**: Growing the streaming and on‑demand library, improving the live‑broadcast experience, and developing digital education tools.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Actively working to present more works by underrepresented composers and to diversify the workforce through internships/fellowships with partners like Bank of America.
- **Financial Sustainability**: Balancing high‑production costs with earned revenue (tickets, broadcasts, shop) and philanthropic support.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission‑Driven Environment**: Employees contribute to a globally revered cultural institution dedicated to artistic excellence.
- **Career Development**: Paid internships/fellowships (Bank of America program) with mentoring from top professionals in arts management, production, technology, and marketing.
- **Workplace Culture**: Reviews on LinkedIn rate culture 3.4/5, compensation 3.4, career 3.4 (121 reviews); work‑life balance scored lower at 2.1 (typical for live‑performance environments with irregular hours).
- **Location**: Based at Lincoln Center in New York City – access to world‑class arts and cultural amenities.
- **Notable Perks**: Exposure to top opera artists, free or discounted tickets (likely), and the chance to work alongside specialists in technology, media, and stagecraft.

## Sources
1. [LinkedIn Company Profile](https://linkedin.com/company/metropolitan-opera)
2. [Met Operra – Our Story](https://www.metopera.org/about/the-met/)
3. [Bank of America Internship and Fellows Program](https://www.metopera.org/about/internships)
4. [Met Operra Administration Page](https://www.metopera.org/About/Who-We-Are/Administration/)
5. [Met Operra Careers on Lever](https://jobs.lever.co/metopera)

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