Development Operations Manager

Development Operations Manager

The Development Operations Manager plays a critical role in supporting contributed revenue through year-round individual giving, membership, donor stewardship, and donor-facing events. This position oversees donor records and gift processing, manages membership programs and benefits, coordinates donor events, and ensures timely, accurate donor acknowledgment and stewardship. Working closely with the Senior Director of Development, a part-time Major Gifts Officer, and cross-departmental colleagues, the Manager helps deliver a seamless, relationship-centered donor experience grounded in strong data and operational excellence.

This is a full-time, at will, exempt position. Roosevelt University offers many great benefits. Please review our benefits in further detail by clicking this link.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required - Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience. 3–5 years of experience in development operations, database administration, fundraising events, or gift processing, preferably in a nonprofit or arts organization. Demonstrated experience with gift entry, acknowledgments, and donor records management in a CRM (e.g., Tessitura, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar). Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and deadlines. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.

Years of Experience Required - 3-5

Required Education - Bachelor's Degree

Certification/Licensure Required

Minimum Qualifications - See Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities section.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience supporting or working with a board or auxiliary board. Familiarity with donor stewardship best practices and donor lifecycle management. Interest in or commitment to the performing arts or cultural sector.

Duty and Responsibility - Individual Giving Operations & Membership: Manage day-to-day operations of individual giving and membership programs, including renewals, upgrades, benefit fulfillment, and donor services. Partner with the Sr. Director of Development and part-time Major Gifts Officer on donor moves management, prospect tracking, cultivation, and stewardship strategies. Ensure donor interactions, benefits, and recognition are delivered accurately and consistently.

Duty and Responsibility - Gift Processing & Acknowledgements: Process all gifts, pledges, and event-related contributions in the donor database with accuracy and timeliness. Oversee gift entry procedures, ensuring compliance with internal controls, data standards, and reporting requirements. Prepare and send timely, personalized gift acknowledgements and tax receipts in coordination with development leadership. Track acknowledgment completion and ensure donors receive appropriate thanks, recognition, and follow-up.

Duty and Responsibility - Donor Events & Engagement: Serve as support for logistics coordination for all donor events, including: Annual Gala Performance receptions Auxiliary Board events Cultivation and stewardship gatherings (e.g., Dance Partner and Restoration Partner activities Help manage event timelines, vendors, budgets, invitations, RSVPs, run-of-show, and on-site logistics. Collaborate with artistic, production, marketing, and operations teams to ensure events reflect organizational values and donor engagement goals. Coordinate post-event follow-up, acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.

Duty and Responsibility - Donor Communications & Stewardship: Create and manage donor stewardship communications, including donor newsletters, event-related communications, and recognition materials. Ensure donor-facing communications are accurate, timely, and aligned with organizational voice and branding. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications and other departments as needed on donor-facing informational content.

Duty and Responsibility - Database Management, Reporting & Analytics: Serve as a primary administrator of the donor database/CRM for individual giving, membership, gifts, and events. Maintain accurate and complete donor, gift, membership, and event records, ensuring data integrity and consistency. Pull reliable lists for acquisition and stewardship communications, events, benefits fulfillment, and recognition. Track donor activity and engagement; provide post-appeal and post-event analytical summaries to identify trends and inform future fundraising and stewardship strategies. Produce regular and ad hoc reports for the Sr. Director of Development and other stakeholders.

Duty and Responsibility - Auxiliary Board Management: Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Auxiliary Board, supporting meetings, fundraising initiatives, events, and volunteer engagement. Work closely with Chair to motivate and ensure Auxiliary Board hits goals and targets related to fundraising and attendance.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. Do you have 3–5 years of experience in development operations, database administration, fundraising events, or gift processing, preferably in a nonprofit or arts organization?
2. Do you have an earned Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience?

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References