Description

The Development Operations Manager oversees the systems, processes, and data infrastructure that drive OZS’s fundraising effectiveness. This role is responsible for gift processing, donor acknowledgment workflow, CRM management, reporting, development analytics, mailing list integrity, sponsorship tracking systems, and operational support for annual campaigns and major fundraising initiatives.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Operations Manager ensures accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency across all backend development functions, enabling frontline fundraisers to focus on highvalue donor engagement. The position works collaboratively with all OZS team members and Zoo departments to maintain strong data governance and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
CRM & Data Management

• Serve as primary administrator for OZS’s development CRM, ensuring data accuracy, cleanliness, standardization, and reporting integrity.
• Develop and enforce data entry protocols, stewardship workflows, and system usage standards.
• Build and run queries, donor lists, and dashboards to support fundraising strategy.

Gift Processing & Acknowledgment Oversight

• Oversee timely and accurate processing of all philanthropic gifts, including daily deposits, batch uploads, pledge management, and reconciliations.
• Maintain acknowledgment timelines and ensure donors receive thank you letters and tax receipts consistent with OZS stewardship standards.
• Coordinate with finance and Zoo partners to align on accounting processes, reporting cycles, and audit requirements.

Reporting, Analytics & Performance Monitoring

• Produce scheduled and on demand reports for annual giving, membership societies, corporate partnerships, and major giving portfolios.
• Use data to identify trends, donor movement, segmentation opportunities, and pipeline insights.
• Support leadership in evaluating fundraising performance and informing decision making.

Operational Infrastructure & Systems Optimization

• Maintain sponsorship tracking systems for events and corporate programs.
• Manage mailing list accuracy for appeals, stewardship communications, invitations, and donor outreach.
• Support digital fundraising campaigns through data analysis and processing coordination.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts that support development operations and fundraising initiatives, including oversight of partner coordination for events such as ZOObrew to ensure smooth execution and alignment with organizational standards.

Cross Functional Support & Collaboration

• Partner with Development staff to ensure operational alignment across campaigns, proposals, events, and donor engagement efforts.
• Collaborate with Zoo IT, PR, and Marketing teams to support digital platforms, ticketing systems, and data integrations.
• Provide training and support to staff using CRM tools and operational workflows.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience in nonprofit operations, fundraising operations, data management, or CRM administration. 
• Strong analytical mindset and proficiency with CRM systems.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and process orientation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in missiondriven or cultural institutions.
• Knowledge of philanthropic data standards, gift processing practices, and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Ability to build dashboards, reports, and data visualizations.
• Experience optimizing processes and leading operational improvements.

Workplace Conditions:

• Occasional evening or weekend work during peak fundraising cycles.
• Primarily officebased with routine computer and datafocused tasks.