Director of Advancement Operations

Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame; Catonsville (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount de Sales Academy seeks a Director of Advancement Operations to lead data integrity, fundraising workflows, and donor analytics in Raiser's Edge. The role supervises gift processing, acknowledgments, and annual giving campaigns, while supporting grant reporting and cross-department collaboration with the Advancement Office.

The ideal candidate has strong technical proficiency, attention to detail, and a commitment to Catholic education values, with flexibility to work occasional evenings

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years fundraising, development operations, or a comparable field preferred.
• Experience with data analytics, CRM systems, and project management tools valued.

Responsibilities

• Oversee data integrity and donor records in Raiser's Edge.
• Manage fundraising operations, donor engagement, and annual giving campaigns.
• Support grant proposals, reporting, and cross-department collaboration.
• Prepare donor reports and analytics to inform strategic decisions.
• Coordinate with Advancement team on events and communications.

Skills

Strong problem-solving

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Evenings/weekends availability

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

5+ years fundraising/advancement experience

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Excel

CRM systems

Project management tools

Job description

Director of Advancement Operations

The Director of Advancement Operations at Mount de Sales Academy is expected to be a highly skilled professional person who works in close collaboration with the administration so that he/she may effectively fulfill the various responsibilities of this role. Mount de Sales Academy seeks to offer a high-quality program that is integrated with religious truths and values. The Director of Advancement Operations coordinates and implements the operational functions of the Advancement Office in a professional, efficient manner, always mindful of the need for confidentiality. The Director of Advancement Operations supports the basic beliefs, values and traditions of the Catholic Church in communications, personal demeanor and lifestyle. The Director of Advancement Operations is expected to model Gospel values in his or her spirit of service and dealings with other colleagues. Respect for the dignity of each person is of utmost importance.

The Director of Advancement Operations supports the Advancement Office by overseeing data integrity, fundraising operations, and donor engagement efforts. This role manages the Raiser's Edge database, ensuring accurate and compliant constituent records, and leads the creation of reports, analytics, and donor insights to inform strategic decisions.

Key responsibilities include processing gifts and acknowledgments, utilizing analytics to support Development team efforts, managing donor recognition, and coordinating financial reports and reconciliations. The manager also runs the Annual Giving Campaigns-including mailed and electronic solicitations, Giving Tuesday and Day of Giving-and supports the planning and execution of Advancement events. Additionally, the role assists with grant proposals and reporting and cross-departmental collaboration. Success in this position requires strong technical proficiency, attention to detail, and a commitment to the mission of Catholic education at Mount de Sales Academy.

Primary Responsibilities

Data & Systems Management

• Oversee accurate and up-to-date constituent records management to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance.
• Develop and implement data entry standards and processes in collaboration with Advancement Office members and the Technology Department.
• Capture and record new information about constituents in Raiser's Edge.
• Create and manage event records and registration forms in Raiser's Edge.
• Partner with the Technology Team for annual database rollovers.
• Manage ongoing training and integration with complementary systems/software.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security standards.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for accurate, secure, and efficient data collection, storage, and retrieval.
• Establish standards to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Oversee routine data cleaning and validation processes.

Fundraising Operations and Analytics

• Manage daily gift processing and acknowledgments, including creating and managing donation forms.
• Oversees annual financial reports to select major donors and or endowment donors.
• Maintain accurate records for audit and reporting, including reconciliations with the Business Office.
• Manage matching gift program.
• Maintain systems for accurate and strategic gift management, including analyzing data trends and generating reports to support strategic decision making, in Raiser's Edge and Excel.
• Develop and present regular reports on donor performance, donor engagement, and fundraising outcomes to inform strategic decisions.
• Create and manage complex lists and queries.
• Streamline internal workflows and operational systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness, particularly with fundraising efforts.
• Conduct prospect research and donor screenings.
• Coordinate and execute annual fund solicitations, including mail solicitations, Giving Tuesday, and Day of Giving campaigns.
• Utilize Blackbaud Raiser's Edge to support the pipeline for the major gifts program.
• Identify and implement software solutions to enhance productivity and reporting capabilities.
• Monitor and assess key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program success.
• Support Advancement Advisory Groups.
• Assist with development communications to enhance donor engagement.

Donor Recognition

• Oversee the creation of the Annual Report of Donors, including data management, publication development, distribution, and promotion.
• Manage relationships with vendors to create donor recognition materials, such as named recognition in buildings and on auditorium seats.

Grant Management

• Research, write, submit, and report on grants in collaboration with the Executive Director of Advancement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist Advancement Team with occasional events and activities outside of standard office hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Advancement or senior administrators.

Skills & Attributes

• Commitment to the mission and vision of Catholic education, particularly Mount de Sales Academy.
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge or similar CRM software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders, including parents, students, colleagues, and external partners.
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends as required.
• Openness to professional development and collaboration within a supportive team environment.

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Preferred: 5+ years of experience in fundraising, development operations, or a comparable field.
• Experience with data analytics, CRM systems, and project management tools is highly valued.