Senior Development Operations Associate

Aug 2

Anticipated Start Date: September 2026

Description

The Senior Development Associate plays a vital role on the Development Operations and Events team, supporting the department’s essential day-to-day fundraising processes. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development Operations and Events and collaborating with the entire development department, the Senior Development Operations Associate is responsible for all gift entry, acknowledgment, inter-department coordination, and record keeping related to donations.

The Senior Associate is responsible for maintaining the donor database, tracking all donations and constituent information, producing and tailoring gift acknowledgements and generating database reports. The Senior Associate also provides administrative support for the Development department. 

Responsibilities

Gift Entry Process

Process incoming funds and reconcile/coordinate gifts with Finance Department
Manage Raiser’s Edge (RE) gift entry process, conforming to and maintaining OSI’s gift tracking system
Serve as the point person of non-cash gift recording procedures and frequently meet with members of the Finance and Legal teams to ensure a accurate and consistent recording processes
Coordinate with colleagues across the organization to ensure donation designations are accurately recorded
Track expected gifts and grants to be prepared to identify the donor and designation of funds upon arrival
Pull reports from online donation platform (Luminate) and enter into Raiser’s Edge or utilize Omatic to ensure all online gifts are recorded in RE within a week of receipt
Produce fundraising reports from Raiser’s Edge
Craft gift acknowledgement letters and generate and track tax-receipts on a prescribed and consistent timeline
Track and follow-up on questions about funds received, ensuring every donation issue is resolved, accurately recorded and acknowledged in a timely manner
Update and maintain the Raiser’s Edge database of donors and prospects, ensuring timely execution and entry of activities, including reconciliation with other platforms
Ensure consistency in data tracking, coding, reporting and data modeling in Raiser’s Edge and online donation platform. Perform audits of RE’s campaigns and funds to ensure up to date project tracking
Process credit card donations and manage OSI use of processing system
Track pledge payment deadline and send invoices to donors when pledge payments are due
Adhere to and assist with development of OSI’s Raiser’s Edge use guidelines
Produce and maintain letter and document templates

Donor Relations

Foster strong donor relationships through competent and empathic communication
Serve as a point of contact for donors, ensuring all interactions reflect a welcoming, professional, and responsive approach
Manage miscellaneous portals, procedures and registrations, such as matching gifts and donor-advised fund portals
Track donor attribution through Raiser’s Edge and outside tracking system and produce annual donor acknowledgement lists for publications, ensuring inclusion of all supporters Interact with donors in response to donation inquiries and information updates
Update and maintain donor notes, actions, solicitations, and proposals as needed
Assist with mail house appeal processes with list management and segmentation

Other Responsibilities

Support the Development team by performing administrative duties as needed including organization of digital and hard copy records, filing, copying, sorting, mailing, processing invoices, preparing expense reports, coordinating food and beverage orders for Development department meetings and retreats, etc.
Support and assist with special communications, including mailings, appeals, event invitations, and email correspondence
Assist with prospect research, face books, and meeting briefings for individuals, institutions, and event guests
Assist with internal meetings including supporting schedules, confirmation with all attendees, and preparing agendas, materials or taking notes and following up on action items as needed. Provide basic RE support and training for other staff members on the systems. Serve as a point of contact between the development and finance departments, as well as program teams.
Proactively perform basic RE cleanup as part of regular use. Research and order OSI gear when needed. Support and assist with other development activities and special projects as assigned.
Shared Programmatic Commitments Incorporate OSI’s internal and programmatic commitment to equity in communications and outreach to funders and donors.

Requirements

Required Skills

Ability to think and act autonomously. Must be able to take initiative but willing to ask questions. Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated writing skills, specifically for donor correspondence.
Excellent formatting skills and thorough familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to work to reasonable deadlines and plan accordingly. Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize numerous ongoing projects.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.

Qualifications

Experience and understanding of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge (NXT and Database view) strongly preferred. Minimum two years’ experience in fundraising/development role in non-profit sector preferred.
Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience. Experience in and successful track record in writing donor correspondence.
Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or equivalent CRM/donor database. Commitment to OSI’s mission, vision, and values.
Knowledge of conservation issues or experience fundraising in support of environmental issues is preferred.

Physical Requirements

The position is based in OSI’s New York City office with a minimum of 3 days in office expected weekly. Frequently sits for long periods of time. Frequently speaks, reads, writes and uses a computer keyboard. May require occasional standing, walking, lifting up to 30 lbs, stooping, and bending. Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of donor events, meetings, and other Development activities.

Please note: If you do not wholly meet the above qualifications but believe you are otherwise well-suited to meet the needs of this position, we encourage you to apply.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$68,000-$70,000

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

The Open Space Institute (OSI) protects scenic, natural and historic landscapes to ensure public enjoyment, conserve habitats, and sustain community character. OSI achieves its goals through land acquisition, conservation easements, special loan programs, creative partnerships, and analytical research.

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