Development Operations Manager

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary: $67,000-$77,000

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, were one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

The Development Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all online and offline donation processing and acknowledgment, managing fundraising operations and reporting, and leading donor database management. This role includes assisting the larger Development Team with budget development and reporting, collaborating with the finance team, and supporting the management of fundraising projections and pipelines. The manager will drive continuous improvement in processes, implement new tools and technologies for efficiency, manage database-related vendor relationships, support the development of data-driven fundraising strategies, and supervise a part-time coordinator assisting with acknowledgments and data entry. This role serves on Nourishing Hopes Leadership Team.

The Development Operations Manager plays a key role in ensuring donor stewardship and data accuracy and supporting organizational growth through efficient operations and deep engagement with donors and funding partners.

Schedule and Locations

This position works out of Nourishing Hope headquarters at 1716 W. Hubbard Street in Chicago. The work schedule is Monday-Friday, with a minimum of three days a week onsite.

Essential Job Functions

• Database and Gift Processing: Serve as the point person for the donor database (Salesforce) and all gift processing, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of donor data. Support the Chief Development Officer and directors with database analysis to optimize donor segmentation, reporting, and data-driven decision-making. Manage vendor data relationships with online and offline fundraising platforms such as Classy, PayPal, YourCause, Double the Donation, and Benevity.
• Donor Stewardship: Oversee the timely preparation and distribution of tribute gifts, acknowledgment letters, donor thank-you notes, and matching gift paperwork, customizing letters where appropriate. Ensure acknowledgment procedures are followed accurately.
• Budgeting and Pipeline Management: Assist the Development Team with budgeting for the development department by tracking donor revenue, grant funding, and operational costs. Support the CDO and development leadership with revenue projections, and maintain an integrated department pipeline to ensure accurate, department-wide forecasting.
• Prospecting: Regularly identify and research potential individual donors and funding sources. Collaborate with the development team to pursue these opportunities, enhancing the organization's funding pipeline and supporting strategic growth initiatives.
• Reconciliation and Reporting: Lead monthly reconciliation of donations with the Finance team, ensuring adherence to close-out procedures. Produce weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to track fundraising activity.
• Supervision: Supervise and manage a part-time coordinator responsible for data entry and acknowledgment processing. Oversee their work, approve timesheets, and provide training as needed.
• Donor Relations and Customer Service: Serve as the development departments primary point of contact for donor-related inquiries (phone and email). Respond to donor requests for receipts and donor history promptly, ensuring excellent customer service and data accuracy.
• Event Support: Assist with fundraising event planning and execution, including organizing mailings, RSVP management, auction coordination, and representing the team at events as needed.
• Development Operations and Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in gift processing, data entry, and other operational processes by implementing new tools and technology for efficiency. Collaborate with Salesforce administrators and consultants to ensure smooth, accurate data flow and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Inventory and Supplies Management: Monitor and maintain inventory of printed materials, letterhead, and other supplies for the development department, placing orders as necessary.
• Special Projects: Complete special projects assigned by the Chief Development Officer or other development leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelors degree required or equivalent experience, with a preference for candidates with training in data and analytics.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in fundraising database management, and analysis.
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced proficiency in Excel and a preference for experience in Google Suite.
• Enthusiasm for mission-driven work, with an interest in addressing food insecurity and poverty.
• Excellent communication, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple assignments and work under tight deadlines.
• Strong ethical standards, integrity, and professional business practices are expected.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently, with occasional evening and weekend availability as needed.
• An understanding of and belief in, the importance of food security for everyone.

Highly

• At least one year in a supervisory capacity.
• Experience and expertise in Salesforce and other data management systems .

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $67,000-$77,000

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Paid birthday holiday
• Parental leave
• pay (Spanish, Russian, Polish)
• $250 employee referral bonus
• Free subscription to mental wellness app

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.