Director of Development Operations

Job SummaryThe Director of Development Operations will be responsible for building the infrastructure necessary to enhance and scale DC-CAP's fundraising capacity. The Director will shape and deliver the operational capabilities and support functions, including project management and coordination for the growing development team for DC-CAP. This role will be a key partner to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and will provide management and support services for the operational, data management, and analytical functions of the department including prospect and data management and analysis, prospect research, donor and partner relations tracking, gift administration, and systems management underpinning the growing development team. This person will be deeply familiar with moves management and with best practices for using donor data and CRM tools to maximize results.The Director of Development Operations will join DC-CAP at an exciting inflection point. Our demonstrated best practices and industry-leading student persistence results are leading to increased investment from donors. With excellent fundraising opportunities already lined up for FY25, we are seeking a development operations professional to help build out our systems so that as we add to the team, we have the tools to ensure success, including operational best practices, data integrity, robust reporting, and measures of accountability and transparency within the team, across the organization, and with the board.This position will require a capable, entrepreneurial development professional who seeks to play a key role in building a foundational operating framework for a growing organization committed to improving college completion outcomes for DC's public and public charter school students.Essential FunctionsLeadershipServe as thought partner to the CDO and CEO with operational best practices that drive significant growth in DC-CAPs fundraising capacityEstablish donor data practices that serve our fundraising goals, including responsibility for data integrityCollaborate with the CDO to establish benchmarks and regular reporting processes to measure outputs and outcomes of all fundraising activities in a timely mannerDevelop and manage systems to assure robust management and tracking of cultivation and stewardship strategies with prospects, donors, and partnersUndertake an active and ongoing portfolio management practice in collaboration with fundraisersDevelop and utilize a deep understanding of DC-CAPs constituent relationship management (CRM) system, Salesforce, and support the organization-wide transition from Raiser's Edge.Act as project manager on key department initiatives, strategies and active portfolio moves management tracking working proactively with frontline colleagues to manage and adapt strategies through implementationGift Processing and StewardshipAdminister DC-CAP's gift processing systems, including prompt entry of pledges, gifts received, tracking donor correspondence, and generating gift acknowledgment lettersDevelop and manage accurate and compliant gift processing standards, including timely gift and grant income entry and acknowledgement and integrity of data in collaboration with Operations and FinanceProspect ResearchIdentify, research, and analyze new prospects and current donors leveraging internal and external research resourcesDraft, revise, and edit philanthropic research and briefing documents as needed in collaboration with frontline fundraisersAnnual Giving and CommunicationsCollaborate with team members to support the creation of unique and compelling funding opportunities, cases for support, and proposals in alignment with funder priorities and DCCAP initiativesIn collaboration with Director of Communications and other peers, develop and manage consistent messaging to donors and prospects that align with solicitation and donor-specific stewardship communicationsDesign and manage a nascent annual giving program to invite community support and involvement and to build a pipeline for future major donorsAdministrationOversee and maintain accuracy of data and prepare reports using a variety of databases and programs including but not limited to Salesforce (CRM) and Microsoft ExcelMaintain departmental files, documents, and proceduresAssist in the in-house logistical planning of development-oriented special eventsSupport special projects as neededOther duties as assignedWhat You Bring5+ years of relevant experience, preferably working on a fundraising team or for a large organization where best practices were a point of prideAbility to collect, organize and analyze data related to donor giving, and develop actionable strategies rooted in dataExperience or interest in direct mail and e-mail solicitation best practices and implementationGoal-oriented with ability to work independently and meet deadlinesMust be strategic and forward-thinking with an entrepreneurial spiritExcellent problem-solving skills and the ability to devise creative solutionsAttention to detail and excellent organizational skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to handle multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlinesPositive attitude and passion for playing a role in fulfilling the organization's missionProficiency with Microsoft Office suiteStrong analytical, organizational, and communication skillsExperience in project management, non-profit/office administration, nonprofit/office management, executive support, and/or team & culture buildingExperience in education and/or nonprofit organizations preferredDeep familiarity with Salesforce preferred; robust experience with other fundraising CRMs will be consideredStrong knowledge of gift processing and acknowledgment best practicesConsiderable knowledge of fundraising techniques and sources of fundingSalary RangeThis position is full-time with a base salary within the range of $125,000 - $145,000 annually, depending on experience.How to ApplyPlease submit your resume and a personalized cover letter tojobs@. In your cover letter, please describe your professional journey, why this feels like the right role for you at this time, and include a personal story about a professional challenge that required you to demonstrate some of the traits described above. We want to encourage people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply, and we want to provide space for you to make your case even if you don't have every experience described in this job description. Single-page cover letters are acceptable, but please do not feel artificially limited to a single-page letter.