Development Operations Associate

PolicyLink; Northern (KY); Remote; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

FSA

Job summary

PolicyLink is seeking a Development Operations Associate to join its Development team and maintain the data infrastructure that drives strategic fundraising decisions. You will oversee data entry in Salesforce, support donor acknowledgments, and create dashboards for reporting.

The role emphasizes documenting processes and building the team’s data skills in a fully remote US-based setting. You will also help manage development systems, track donor data, and assist with campaigns and event

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant experience, preferably at a nonprofit organization.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, development operations, data entry, and database management.
• Prior experience with a Development CRM (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar) is preferred; willingness and aptitude to learn new systems and tools are required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Perform accurate and timely data entry of donor projections, pledges, and gifts into Salesforce and related systems.
• Process and manage gift and tax acknowledgments for all donations, ensuring timely and accurate donor stewardship.
• Maintain high-quality development data in Salesforce, including record updates, coding, and documentation, with attention to identifying and correcting data errors.
• Support the technical management of development systems (Salesforce, online donation platforms, and email tools) by troubleshooting basic issues, documenting processes, and coordinating with internal and external tech support as needed.
• Create and maintain Salesforce dashboards and reports for moves management, progress-to-goal tracking, and departmental reporting.
• Assist in developing systems to track donor ratings, capacity, and background data within Salesforce to support strategic fundraising decisions.
• Help ensure ratings for Candid and Guidestar are maintained and updated annually, coordinating with relevant staff to gather and submit required information.
• Support management of online giving campaigns, including tracking and processing online gifts.
• Draft, edit, and proofread donor-facing materials, including cultivation emails and event follow-up.

Skills

Data quality

Prioritization

Learning mindset

Documentation

Communication

Collaboration

Accountability

Equity commitment

Job description

Department: Development
Reports to: Director, Development Operations
Status: Full Time / Exempt
Location: Remote: Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States

Position Overview

PolicyLink is seeking a Development Operations Associate to join its Development team and maintain the data infrastructure that drives strategic fundraising decisions. The Development Operations Associate will serve as the foundation of the Development team's data systems, with primary responsibilities including data entry and cleanup across Salesforce, Google Drive, and spreadsheets. Success in this role means maintaining data accuracy to enable strategic fundraising decisions, creating documentation and standard operating procedures that support team efficiency, and building the skills to independently prioritize competing demands. Reporting to the Director of Development Operations, this role will work closely with the entire Development team.

• Perform accurate and timely data entry of donor projections, pledges, and gifts into Salesforce and related systems.
• Process and manage gift and tax acknowledgments for all donations, ensuring timely and accurate donor stewardship.
• Maintain high-quality development data in Salesforce, including record updates, coding, and documentation, with attention to identifying and correcting data errors.
• Support the technical management of development systems (Salesforce, online donation platforms, and email tools) by troubleshooting basic issues, documenting processes, and coordinating with internal and external tech support as needed.
• Create and maintain Salesforce dashboards and reports for moves management, progress-to-goal tracking, and departmental reporting.
• Assist in developing systems to track donor ratings, capacity, and background data within Salesforce to support strategic fundraising decisions.
• Help ensure ratings for Candid and Guidestar are maintained and updated annually, coordinating with relevant staff to gather and submit required information.

Process Documentation and Team Support

• Create, maintain, and refine development processes and workflows, including written procedures, how-to guides, and checklists for recurring tasks.
• Maintain a digital library of current policies, forms, training materials, and standard operating procedures, ensuring easy access and version control for the Development team.
• Support onboarding of new staff to PolicyLink's development systems and database tools, including sharing materials, demonstrating basic system functions, and answering process questions.

Donor Relations and Communications Support

• Support management of online giving campaigns, including tracking and processing online gifts.
• Draft, edit, and proofread donor-facing materials, including cultivation emails and event follow-up.
• Assist in preparing briefing materials and donor-related background information as needed.
• Assist in the in-house logistical planning of cultivation events, including managing guest lists and maintaining event data.

Research and Special Projects

• Conduct basic prospect research and compile background information on institutional and individual donors as requested.
• Support special projects related to improving development systems, processes, and reporting.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge Required

• Strong affinity for data quality, with attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple tasks with good judgment, building trust through reliability and follow-through.
• Quick learner who is coachable, eager to build new skills, and has an aptitude for learning technical systems and troubleshooting basic issues.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to create clear documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to foster effective working relationships and collaborate across teams.
• Comfortable with results-based accountability and learning.
• Commitment to racial and economic equity and the mission of PolicyLink.

Experience Qualifications

• A minimum of 1–3 years of relevant experience, preferably at a nonprofit organization.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, development operations, data entry, and database management.
• Prior experience with a Development CRM (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar) is preferred; willingness and aptitude to learn new systems and tools are required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports.

Compensation and Benefits

PolicyLink offers competitive salaries commensurate with employees’ experience and skills. The starting salary range for this position is $68,600–$83,200.

Additionally, PolicyLink provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Unlimited vacation and sick leave, and other generous leave benefits.
• Three required organization reset weeks plus 13 paid holidays.

The position will involve leading and participating in frequent remote video and telephone conferences. It is a 100% remote position, though occasional travel will be required.

We accept online applications only. Please note that the application includes two required written prompts. Candidates should provide thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts; incomplete answers will not be considered.

No phone calls, please. Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work toward a more inclusive world, and as such, we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.

Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.

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