Tessitura Database Manager

ORGANIZATION
Chicago Humanities presents the most compelling authors, artists, and thinkers of our time, connecting people to the ideas that shape and define us. Insightful, entertaining, and interactive, Chicago Humanities events are a platform for authors, journalists, scholars, policymakers, and other thought leaders, as well as for artists, actors, musicians, comedians, and cultural figures. Our programs provoke conversations, celebrate creativity, build community and explore the boundaries of contemporary knowledge and culture. Chicago Humanities values programming that reflects multiple viewpoints and lived experiences, is accessible and inclusive and speaks to diverse audiences. We program across Chicago, bringing people and ideas together in various neighborhoods. Chicago Humanities seeks to facilitate an engagement with ideas that transcend individual concerns, to enable empathy and connection through shared experiences. We are a hybrid office, working together remotely and in the office; evening and weekend availability is required during festival seasons—more information at chicagohumanities.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Tessitura Database Manager is an interdepartmental resource responsible for managing and optimizing the organization’s CRM and ticketing system (Tessitura) to support ticketing, fundraising, marketing, and finance functions. This role ensures data accuracy and integrity, oversees ticketing builds and online sales functionality, develops reporting and analysis tools, and provides training and troubleshooting support to internal stakeholders. The manager serves as the organization’s Tessitura expert, helping departments use the system to drive revenue, improve patron engagement, and achieve strategic goals.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Database Management & System Administration

• Maintain the Tessitura database, ensuring accuracy, data integrity, and security.
• Oversee system upgrades, patches, and new feature implementations in collaboration with staff and Tessitura Network support.
• Troubleshoot issues and serve as the primary contact for Tessitura-related problems.
• Manage integrations with third-party applications (e.g., TNEW, email marketing platforms, analytics tools, access control).
• Implement and document standard operating procedures and data management best practices.

Ticketing Operations

• Build and maintain ticketed events, subscription packages, registrations, promotions, and pricing structures in Tessitura and TNEW.
• Support box office staff and other departments in the efficient use of Tessitura for daily operations and event preparation, including scanner and printer setup.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams on dynamic pricing strategies and inventory management.
• Ensure smooth functionality of online purchase paths and imports of ticketing data from external sources when applicable.
• Work closely with Finance on reporting for chargebacks and donated tickets.

Development Operations

• Train appropriate Development and Finance staff on gift entry, acknowledgement, reconciliation, and reporting functions.
• Set up and manage weekly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports for board meetings, moves management, and gift processing.
• Set up custom dashboard and analytics for staff, depending on their job function.

Reporting & Analytics

• Set up, maintain, and interpret the Analytics dashboard of Tessitura.
• Create, maintain, and automate reports, lists, and dashboards to meet departmental and organizational needs.
• Provide data analysis to support marketing segmentation, fundraising campaigns, sales tracking, and strategic planning.
• Partner with leadership and department heads to track KPIs, monitor trends, and forecast performance.

Training & Support

• Provide training and support for Tessitura users across departments, ensuring effective and consistent system use.
• Onboard new employees into Tessitura, setting up their permissions.
• Develop user documentation, onboarding materials, and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Stay current with Tessitura developments, attending conferences and engaging with local/national user groups.
• In the first year, lead an internal Tessitura user group in a weekly or bi-weekly meeting for training purposes or to discuss issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 4+ years of experience with Tessitura in ticketing, fundraising, or database administration.
• Strong skills in SQL and database reporting; familiarity with data visualization tools a plus.
• Experience with TN Express Web (TNEW) setup and management preferred.
• Experience with Tessitura v16 would be ideal, though not required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Excel; experience with reporting/analytics tools desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.
• Experience in a performing arts, cultural, or nonprofit organization preferred.

WORK LOCATION

Chicago Humanities maintains a collaborative and congenial environment.  We work in a hybrid model, requiring in-person Tuesdays – Thursdays at our River North office. Mondays and Fridays allow remote work; exceptions might occur based on organizational and/or departmental needs. While working remotely, you can access a laptop computer and a $50 per month stipend to offset home internet and personal phone expenses. All full-time positions at Chicago Humanities may require additional night and weekend hours to support aspects of our in-person events across the city.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time position with a salary of $60,000-$65,000. Benefits include fully-covered health insurance (with an option to upgrade), dental, vision, 403(b) with 7% employer match, equitable parental leave, tax-free commuter spending plan, life insurance, short and long-term disability, and 17 days of accrued paid time off. In addition, we offset busy seasons with additional paid office closures during the summer and a communal winter break (December 25 through New Year’s Day). Chicago Humanities observes ten holidays and provides one floating holiday and one volunteer day.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION

Chicago Humanities is committed to providing a diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive workplace where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity,  education, or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in our departments, programs, and policies.  We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

TO APPLY

Please submit your application here, including resume and cover letter (please submit as PDFs). Applications are due by Friday, October 24, 2025.

If you need any accommodations completing this application, please email our Associate Director of People and Culture, John Rooney at jrooney@chicagohumanities.org.

Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified via email. No phone calls, please. We look forward to reviewing your materials.