Development & Operations Assistant

Hawthorne Lane; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorne Lane, a boutique nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC, seeks an organized Development & Operations Assistant to provide broad administrative support to a close-knit team. This hands-on role handles office operations, calendar coordination, donor records, proposals, and event logistics, with chances to contribute across development and communications.

The successful candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Organized and proactive with strong attention to detail.
• Professional communicator with diverse stakeholders.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience supporting development and fundraising activities.
• Comfortable working in a small, mission-driven nonprofit.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day office operations, including managing incoming phone calls, mail, packages, supplies, files, and daily administrative needs.
• Coordinate calendars, meetings, conference-room logistics, visitors, vendors, and other operational details.
• Maintain accurate files while organizing invoices, donations, expense reports, contact information, and internal materials.
• Support development efforts by maintaining donor and prospect information, tracking proposals and deadlines, and coordinating acknowledgments and related documentation.
• Contribute to fundraising initiatives by researching prospective supporters, preparing outreach materials, and helping keep grants and other development priorities moving forward.
• Help coordinate events and meetings through managing invitations, RSVPs, attendee information, speaker materials, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain calendars for external engagements with fine attention to important deadlines.
• Support communications initiatives surrounding internal and external-facing content projects, such as newsletters and website updates, and provide communications project support through functions such as activity reporting.
• Provide flexible administrative and project support across a variety of focus points.

Skills

Donor management

Office administration

Event coordination

MS Office

Professional communications

Attention to detail

Job description

A boutique, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC is seeking an organized and proactive Development & Operations Assistant to provide broad administrative support across a close-knit team. This is a hands-on opportunity for someone who enjoys keeping details on track, coordinating moving pieces, and stepping in wherever support is needed. If you’re someone who takes initiative, follows through, and enjoys a role with variety and exposure to many areas, this could be your next opportunity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day office operations, including managing incoming phone calls, mail, packages, supplies, files, and daily administrative needs.
• Keep the office running smoothly by coordinating calendars, meetings, conference-room logistics, visitors, vendors, and other operational details.
• Maintain accurate files while organizing invoices, donations, expense reports, contact information, and internal materials.
• Support development efforts by maintaining donor and prospect information, tracking proposals and deadlines, and coordinating acknowledgments and related documentation.
• Contribute to fundraising initiatives by researching prospective supporters, preparing outreach materials, and helping keep grants and other development priorities moving forward.
• Help coordinate events and meetings through managing invitations, RSVPs, attendee information, speaker materials, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain calendars for external engagements with fine attention to important deadlines.
• Support communications initiatives surrounding internal and external-facing content projects, such as newsletters and website updates, and provide communications project support through functions such as activity reporting.
• Provide flexible administrative and project support across a variety of focus points.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• Join a small, collaborative nonprofit where your work will have visibility and directly contribute to keeping the team moving forward.
• Work alongside professionals in a mission-driven environment with legal and policy ties.
• Compassionate, driven, and intellectually curious team.
• Competitive salary and benefits package alongside a polished in-office culture.

What We’re Looking For:

• Organized and reliable. You have strong attention to detail, keep multiple priorities moving, and consistently follow through on deadlines and commitments.
• Professional communicator. You have strong communication skills and are comfortable interacting with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
• Adaptable. You’re comfortable wearing different hats and pitching in across a small team where priorities can shift quickly.
• Sharp. You enjoy maintaining accurate records across databases and MS Office and making sure details don’t fall through the cracks.
• Engaged. You can work independently, recognize what needs to be done, and take action without needing extensive direction.

The salary listed reflects the anticipated compensation range for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, location, business considerations, and internal equity. Final offer amounts are determined at the employer’s discretion.

Essential to Hawthorne Lane’s successis our ability to attract talent from a range of backgrounds. Our network reflects the diverse community around us, and we believein a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. Applicants will not be discriminated againston the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.