Development Operations Manager

Knights of Columbus; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Knights of Columbus is seeking a Development Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations behind our fundraising program. You will own the systems, processes, and people that move gifts, ensure data integrity, and produce accurate reporting.

You will supervise the operations team, collaborate with the VP on budgeting and campaign tracking, and help operationalize the charity's strategic plan. On-site role with minimal travel.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in development/fundraising operations, database management, or nonprofit administration.
• Hands-on proficiency with a donor database/CRM and strong Excel skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Experience coordinating budgeting and reporting workflows across campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Development Operations team and set priorities and workflows.
• Oversee gift processing, acknowledgement, reporting, and reconciliation with Finance.
• Maintain donor data integrity and coordinate CRM updates and user support.
• Produce regular gift, pipeline, and campaign performance reports.
• Support annual budgeting and reforecasting for Charitable Giving.
• Reconcile gift records with Finance and assist audits.
• Ensure IRS and charitable registrations compliance across fundraising states.
• Generate data exports and lists for direct response and stewardship.
• Manage relationships with external vendors for operations and CRM.
• Document standard operating procedures for gift processing and reporting.
• Identify efficiency improvements and system enhancements as the department grows.

Skills

Fundraising operations

CRM management

Attention to detail

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

CRM platform

Job description

Reports to: Vice President of Charitable Giving

Location: On-site

Required Travel: Little to none

Position Summary

The Development Operations Manager leads the day-to-day operational engine behind Knights of Columbus Charities' fundraising program. This role owns the systems, processes, and people that keep gifts moving accurately and on time—from database integrity and gift entry through acknowledgement, reporting, and reconciliation with Finance. The Manager supervises the Development Operations team, partners closely with the VP of Charitable Giving on budgeting and campaign tracking, and serves as the operational backbone that lets frontline fundraisers focus on donor relationships rather than administration. Ultimately, this role is tasked with operationalizing the strategic plan and leadership’s vision for the Charities unit.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, and develop the Development Operations team, including gift processing specialists and fundraising coordination staff, setting clear priorities and workflows.
• Oversee accurate, timely gift entry, batching, and donor acknowledgement processes across all revenue streams (direct mail, major gifts, planned giving, and online giving).
• Serve as the primary champion of the donor database/CRM, supporting the maintenance of data integrity, documenting processes, and coordinating with the CRM administrator on system updates and user support.
• Build and deliver regular gift, pipeline, and campaign performance reports for the VP of Charitable Giving and other stakeholders.
• Support annual budgeting and reforecasting for the Charitable Giving department, tracking revenue against goals throughout the year.
• Reconcile gift records with Finance on a recurring basis and support internal and external audits as needed.
• Ensure compliance with IRS regulations governing charitable organizations and support maintenance of charitable solicitation registrations across the states where the organization fundraises.
• Generate segmented lists, queries, and data exports to support direct response, major gifts, and stewardship efforts.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors supporting development operations (e.g., direct response and CRM administration partners), ensuring deliverables meet quality and timeline expectations.
• Maintain documented standard operating procedures for gift processing, data hygiene, and reporting to ensure consistency and continuity.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and recommend process or system enhancements as the department and its affiliated charities grow.

Qualifications

• Alignment with the mission and values of the Knights of Columbus.
• Five or more years of experience in development/fundraising operations, database management, or nonprofit administration; leadership experience preferred.
• Hands-on proficiency with a donor database/CRM platform and strong Microsoft Excel skills; experience with gift processing and reporting workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with close attention to accuracy and detail.
• Working knowledge of fundraising principles, revenue reporting, and nonprofit financial administration.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines across teams and campaigns.
• A collaborative, service-oriented approach to supporting both internal staff and external vendor partners.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Mission Advantage Recruiting has been retained to conduct this search.