Senior Manager - Development Operations and Research

Location: Remote

Reports to: Development Director

The Senior Development Operations Manager is a core member of the development team responsible for building and maintaining the operational systems, processes, and tools that drive successful fundraising. This role ensures seamless coordination across donor engagement, gift processing, and reporting functions. Working closely with the Development Research Manager, the Senior Development Operations Manager will serve as the central hub for data integrity, stewardship systems, and operational excellence to help the team reach ambitious fundraising goals.

This is a full-time, remote position. Occasional travel to conferences or team gatherings may be required. Empower Project is a fully remote organization, with staff across multiple time zones. The position requires availability during core business hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends during peak fundraising periods.

Job Responsibilities

Development Operations & Systems (50%)

• Oversee and improve systems for tracking donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Manage systems for principal communication and outreach, and team project management needs

• Partner with Development Research Manager to ensure accurate, timely, and integrated donor records across platforms.

• Manage donor acknowledgment processes, ensuring accurate and timely thank-you letters, receipts, and stewardship communications.

• Support segmentation, list management, and mass communications through fundraising platforms.

• Support team scheduling needs both internally and externally

Gift Processing & Finance Liaison (10%)

• Process, record, and reconcile all gifts across channels (online, check, wire, pledges).

• Partner with Finance team to ensure accurate reconciliation, audit readiness, and compliance.

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for gift entry and acknowledgment.

Data Integrity & Reporting (25%)

• Serve as co-administrator of development databases (NGP VAN, donor systems, online giving platforms).

• Generate regular fundraising reports, dashboards, and analysis for leadership, staff, and the Board of Directors.

• Collaborate with Development Research Manager on prospect pipelines and portfolio tracking.

Cross-Functional Collaboration (15%)

• Work with Communications to align donor outreach with campaigns and storytelling.

• Collaborate with Programs and Operations to track impact data for reporting to donors.

• Provide operational support for special events, donor calls, and campaigns.

Desired Qualifications

Successful candidates will meet the following criteria

• 35 years of experience in donor prospect research, nonprofit development, or fundraising operations

• Experience managing and coordinating schedules for principals

• Strong skills in research, data analysis, and writing concise donor profiles and memos

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data integrity and confidentiality

• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently in a remote work environment

• Strong alignment with Empower Projects mission and values

• Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment

Additional consideration will be given to candidates with any of the following background

• Experience with and commitment to people-centered and ethical storytelling

• Ability to think creatively, identify barriers and roadblocks, and propose solutions and recommendations

• Previous background working in diverse communities or cultures.

• Have existing relationships with national or state partners.

• Demonstrated expertise in managing CRM systems, with preference for experience using NGP VAN

Be fluent in a second language, including: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Hmong, or Navajo.

Compensation Package

$72,000 a year plus benefits. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new staff. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, and paid time off. Paid time off includes vacation, sick leave, personal days, and federal holidays.