Development Operations Associate

About Chicago Public Media

Chicago Public Media is one of the nation’s largest local nonprofit news organizations. Home to WBEZ 91.5FM, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo. Chicago Public Media reaches more than 3.3 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to be the most trusted news source Chicagoans turn to for understanding the people, events, and ideas shaping our community.

We believe independent journalism is essential to a healthy democracy and that access to objective, fact-based news is a right for every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse content that informs and enriches our community, supported by a dedicated staff of approximately 250 professionals.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report .

The Opportunity

The Development Operations Associate supports the infrastructure and daily execution of Development fundraising operations at Chicago Public Media. This role ensures the timely and accurate processing of gifts, maintains data integrity within the CRM, supports donor stewardship workflows, and produces standardized operational reports.

This position plays a critical role in supporting organizational growth, particularly as Chicago Public Media expands philanthropic fundraising.

General Responsibilities

Gift Processing, Data Management, & Reporting (55%)

Own the accurate and timely processing of all philanthropic gifts, including:

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  Process all Development gifts and pledges in the CRM in coordination with the finance team



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  Ensure data accuracy of constituent data, financial data, and reporting data



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  Monitor pledge schedules and payment timelines



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  Build and maintain reports as they relate to other areas of responsibilities within the job description.



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  Monitor donor data managed with the CRM and provide support to ensure accuracy and standards of all Development donor data. 

Donor Acknowledgment & Stewardship Workflow (25%)

Manage the operational execution of gift acknowledgments:

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  Produce and distribute Development donor acknowledgment letters in a timely manner



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  Maintain acknowledgment timelines and standards



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  Maintain acknowledgment templates

Manage the operational execution of Development tax letters:

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  Produce and distribute annual donor tax letters for Development donors 

Event & Campaign Operations Support (20%)

Provide data and tracking support for fundraising events and future campaigns:

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  Manage event gift tracking



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  Support registration data workflows



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  Provide on-site support for Development events in coordination with the Events and Stewardship Manager.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in development operations, database management, or administrative operations


• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to draft professional correspondence and internal documentation.


• Experience working with CRM systems to maintain data integrity and streamline operations.


• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in data entry and record-keeping.


• Excellence in Excel or Google Sheets, including the ability to organize complex data sets and utilize advanced functions.


• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.


• Ability to manage repetitive but high-accuracy workflows, ensuring consistency and quality in daily operations.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with Revolution CRM


• Experience in nonprofit fundraising and an understanding of donor cultivation cycles.


• Familiarity with gift processing workflows, including gift entry, acknowledgment, and reconciliation.

Compensation

The expected pay range for this position is $49,200 to $59,000 per ANNUM.

Chicago Public Media provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographical location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.

Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.