Associate Director of Development Operations

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director of Development Operations based in the United States.

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director of Development Operations to build and lead the systems, processes, and data infrastructure that support a high-performing fundraising function. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will oversee the strategic and operational management of Salesforce, ensuring it enables effective donor relationship management, fundraising performance, revenue forecasting, and organizational decision-making. You will work across Development, Finance, Marketing, Programs, and IT to strengthen data integrity, streamline workflows, and improve collaboration. This hands-on leadership role combines technology management, analytics, process improvement, and team development. You will help establish scalable operational practices that empower fundraising teams to focus on cultivating relationships and advancing sustainable philanthropic growth. Your work will contribute directly to the organization's long-term mission and impact. \n

Accountabilities:

Serve as the Development department's business owner and subject-matter expert for Salesforce, ensuring the platform supports fundraising strategies, workflows, relationship management, and reporting needs.

Establish consistent CRM standards for constituent records, relationships, opportunities, proposals, commitments, payments, campaigns, restrictions, and donor preferences.

Partner with IT to manage Salesforce access, permissions, integrations, enhancements, testing, documentation, and implementation.

Monitor CRM adoption and data quality, addressing gaps through training, process improvements, and clear accountability.

Develop and enforce data-governance policies covering data entry, quality, security, retention, confidentiality, and appropriate access.

Establish standardized fundraising data definitions and business rules, and oversee regular audits, cleansing, deduplication, and enrichment.

Maintain accurate donor and prospect records, engagement histories, contact information, and solicitation preferences.

Coordinate secure data imports, exports, transfers, and integrations while supporting compliance with applicable privacy and records-retention requirements.

Establish consistent prospect, portfolio, and moves-management practices in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer.

Support prospect research, screening, portfolio development, and relationship mapping as organizational needs require.

Develop dashboards, reports, and analytical tools that provide actionable insights to Development leadership, executive leadership, and the Board.

Standardize fundraising performance measures and reporting across revenue channels, tracking progress against annual goals, historical results, forecasts, and multiyear targets.

Assess and improve Development processes by creating standard operating procedures, workflows, templates, calendars, and service expectations.

Clarify responsibilities, decision rights, handoffs, and accountability across Development and other departments, particularly Finance, IT, Marketing, and Programs.

Develop and deliver Salesforce onboarding, ongoing user training, documentation, and responsive support for Development staff and other relevant users.

Lead change-management initiatives related to new systems, processes, reporting requirements, and performance expectations.

Build and lead the Development Operations function, including recruiting, onboarding, coaching, and managing staff or external resources as organizational needs evolve.

Establish the function's annual work plan, budget, priorities, performance goals, and measures of success.

Manage relevant technology vendors, consultants, and service providers, ensuring that investments deliver operational value.

Participate in Development leadership and cross-functional initiatives, contributing to departmental strategy, planning, culture, and performance.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Development Operations, fundraising operations, CRM management, advancement services, revenue operations, or a related field.

Significant experience managing Salesforce in a fundraising or nonprofit environment, including reporting and dashboard development, workflow improvements, data-quality management, and user adoption.

Strong understanding of nonprofit fundraising practices, including gift processing, donor acknowledgment, prospect and portfolio management, moves management, pipeline reporting, stewardship, and restricted funding.

At least 3 years of experience managing staff, projects, or complex cross-functional initiatives.

Demonstrated experience establishing data-governance standards and improving the accuracy, consistency, and usefulness of fundraising data.

Proven ability to improve business processes, document standard operating procedures, and lead organizational change.

Strong project-management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, deadlines, stakeholders, and dependencies.

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, training, and presentation skills.

Ability to explain technical and operational concepts clearly to colleagues with different levels of experience.

High standards of accuracy, data integrity, confidentiality, responsiveness, and quality.

Sound professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive donor, financial, and organizational information.

Collaborative, service-oriented leadership style, with the ability to establish clear expectations and encourage accountability across teams.

Proactive, solutions-oriented, and self-directed approach, with the ability to build operational infrastructure in an evolving environment.

Commitment to the organization's mission and guiding behaviors, including collaboration and inclusion, integrity, kindness, respect, accountability, continuous learning, and innovation.

Benefits:

Annual salary range of

$100,000–$130,000

.

Remote work arrangement within the United States.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Life insurance.

401(k) retirement plan.

Paid time off and holidays.

Wellness program.

Paid parental leave.

Additional employee benefits as part of a comprehensive benefits package.

Minimal travel required.

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