Advancement Operations Manager

Near North Montessori School; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Near North Montessori School in Chicago seeks a fundraising data and donor relations professional to manage Raiser's Edge CRM, analyze giving trends, and support all aspects of the annual fund. The role partners with the Advancement Office and Finance to ensure accurate donor data, effective campaigns, and timely acknowledgments.

The ideal candidate has 5-7 years in nonprofit fundraising, strong data integrity, and experience with multi-channel campaigns; travel and evening/weekend event support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years fundraising experience, including annual campaigns and database management.
• Minimum two years of experience in Raiser's Edge, preferably in a nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Ability to manage confidential information, multiple priorities, and competing deadlines plus maintain attention to detail.
• Proven track record of success in event planning, donor cultivation, and professional relationship management.
• Ability to travel if needed, and attend events on evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and willingness to learn new tools.

Responsibilities

• Own management of Raiser's Edge database, including data entry, cleanup, system updates, gift processing, and advanced queries and reporting.
• Collaborate with the finance office to reconcile donor records with the general ledger.
• Support annual fund strategy, including constituent participation and revenue goals, calendars, multi-channel solicitations, and events.
• Plan, execute, and analyze direct mail and online campaigns; manage mailing lists and metrics.
• Generate standard and custom reports, dashboards, and mailing lists for development efforts.
• Identify, research, and track prospects for annual, major, and campaign giving.
• Manage timely, personalized gift acknowledgments and donor communications; maintain records for audits.

Skills

CRM systems (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge)

Google Suite

Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Ex

Canva

Constant Contact

Communication skills

Event planning

Donor cultivation

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Blackbaud

Job description

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Database Management & Integrity

• System Proficiency: Own management of Raiser’s Edge database, including data entry, cleanup, system updates, gift processing, and advanced use of queries, exports, reporting, and constituent record management. Collaborate with the finance office to reconcile donor records with the general ledger.

• Tracking & Strategy: Ensure accurate tracking of multi-year giving histories, pledges, and donor engagement to support long-term cultivation and stewardship strategies.

• Policies & Best Practices: Develop, implement, and maintain database policies and procedures; assess and improve database utilization and reporting systems; establish and share best practices in data and fundraising software management.

Annual Fund Management

• Strategy & Execution: Implement and assess Near North Fund strategy, including constituent participation and revenue goals, annual appeal calendars, management of multi-channel solicitations, and fundraising events.

• Campaigns: Participate in the planning, execution, and analysis of direct mail and online giving campaigns—managing mailing lists and metrics to grow donor participation and revenue.

Reporting & Analysis

• Data Delivery: Generate standard and custom reports, queries, dashboards, and mailing lists for development efforts.

• Performance Analysis: Assist with regular revenue reporting and campaign performance analysis for internal stakeholders, including the Advancement Office, Finance Team, Board, and other Senior Leadership.

Prospect Research & Strategy

• Collaboration: Partner with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Director of Donor and Alumni Relations to identify, research, and track prospects for annual, major, and campaign giving.

• Trend Analysis: Manage donor profiles and analyze giving trends to inform solicitation strategies.

Donor Stewardship & Acknowledgement

• Communications: Manage timely and personalized gift acknowledgments, donor communications, and stewardship strategies.

• Alignment: Coordinate with colleagues to ensure alignment of messaging and recognition programs, in addition to maintaining records in support of audits and other school processes.

Event & Program Support

• Onsite Support: Provide onsite support and data management for fundraising events.

• Follow-up: Contribute to planning, execution, and follow-up efforts such as data entry and customized gift receipt creation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Data & Tools: Deep commitment to accuracy and database integrity. Proficiency in CRM systems required (Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge a plus). Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) is required; proficiency in (or willingness to quickly learn) Canva and Constant Contact.

• Communication & Relationships: Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; proven track record of success in event planning, donor cultivation, and professional relationship management.

• Execution: Detail-oriented, organized, and outcome-driven problem solver with the ability to manage confidential information, multitask, meet competing deadlines, and work autonomously.

• Collaboration & Flexibility: Creative, forward-thinking team player who can manage and motivate diverse groups. Must have the flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as assigned for event support, with an ability to travel if needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; an advanced degree in a related field is preferred
• 5-7 years of fundraising experience, including annual campaigns and database management
• Minimum two years of experience in Raiser’s Edge, preferably in a non-profit fundraising environment
• Ability to manage confidential information, multiple priorities, and competing deadlines plus maintain attention to detail
• Nonprofit fundraising environment
• Proven track record of success in event planning, donor cultivation, and professional relationship management
• Attention to detail and ability to problem-solve
• Must have the ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and achieve results in a team environment
• Outcome-driven, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances and priorities
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Ability to manage and motivate diverse groups and individuals
• Proficiency in CRM systems required (Blackbaud a plus)
• Ability to travel if needed, as well as attend events on evenings and weekends
• Flexibility with working evenings, weekends, & holidays as assigned

Additional Information

Pay Information: The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000 annually based on skills and experience

Near North Montessori believes that each individual is entitled to equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, ancestry, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, conditions, and privileges of employment.