Development Operations and Database Manager

Overview

SUMMARY

The California Science Center Foundation is expanding our fund development team with a Development Operations and Database Manager to provide day-to-day oversight of the Development Department’s usage of Tessitura, the Science Center’s constituent relationship management (CRM) system, and integrated platforms. They will work collaboratively across the department’s donor programs to implement consistent data entry, gift processing and reporting practices that will advance data-driven fundraising strategies, and lead reconciliation between the development and accounting department’s numbers. They will generate and support staff in the creation of constituent lists, mailing lists, reports and dashboards, acknowledgements and receipts. They will also work with interdepartmental teams and consultants on system upgrades, integrations and the adoption of new features. 

The ideal candidate has three or more years of experience in development operations and advanced knowledge of donor database systems, preferably working with Tessitura in a nonprofit setting. They will be a self-starter who is eager to identify, implement and document new practices, and maintain best practices, that will streamline day-to-day operations and advance fundraising initiatives. The Development Operations and Database Manager will be part of a transformational period of growth as the California Science Center works toward the completion of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center expansion, featuring space shuttle Endeavour.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree desired, or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years experience in development operations, gift processing and donor database systems.
• Expertise in CRM databases in a nonprofit setting required; experience with Tessitura strongly preferred.
• Adept at inputting, extracting and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of best practices in gift processing and donor data management.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a service-oriented mindset.
• Exceptional problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead or contribute to intradepartmental and cross-departmental collaborations.
• Strong planning and organizational skills; able to set reasonable deadlines and motivate others to achieve deliverables.
• Excellent follow-through and ability to balance multiple projects and priorities to produce results in a fast-paced deadline-oriented environment, working both independently and as part of a team.
• Capable of working efficiently and quickly to respond to unanticipated requests when required.
• Experience developing or contributing to the development of policies and procedures to guide teams.
• A self-starter who will seek out Tessitura training resources to stay current on the latest developments.
• Keen attention to detail to produce high-quality work, free of errors.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Proficiency or ability to become quickly proficient in Microsoft Office suite and OneDrive applications, Zoom or other videoconferencing platforms.
• Adherence to current expectation to work a minimum of three days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work additional days on-site as needed to advance projects and priorities.
• Ability to work a 40-hour week required; willingness to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends on occasion. 

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors gift processing and data entry across the development department and ensures consistency and good data hygiene.
• Interfaces with accounting and other development gift processers to ensure all donations have been recorded and acknowledged; contributes to data and gift entry as required.
• Consults with donor program managers and other staff on reporting and data analysis needs and identifies solutions.
• Creates custom lists, queries, reports and dashboards for the department; works with Tessitura technical support and consultants as needed.
• Identifies new Tessitura features that can streamline operations and makes recommendations for implementation.
• Onboards new Tessitura users in the development department and supports ongoing training.
• Oversees and maintains the documentation of gift processing, data entry and acknowledgement procedures, including the storage of physical and digital files.
• Participates as a development representative on the institution-wide Tessitura Core Team with ticketing, development, IT, finance and education leads.
• Works with staff to develop a roadmap to meet database-related objectives that align with the strategic development plan.
• Leads regular meetings with development users and project managers on new initiatives.
• Contributes to the setup and maintenance of products that integrate with Tessitura, like iWave and WordFly.
• Special projects, assignments and other duties as assigned.