Development Services Manager

WHO WE ARE

The Alliance for Decision Education is a nonprofit organization that is driving a revolutionary shift in the way that we think about education. Our mission is to improve lives by empowering students with essential skills and dispositions for making better decisions. We are driven by this mission, supported by science, and backed by a growing list of global luminaries and leaders.

The decisions we make shape our lives and those of the people around us. There is no more important set of skills that we can teach today’s youth than how to approach decision-making.

The Alliance is committed to an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture. Our team is made up of diverse, dedicated, and driven educators, researchers, subject matter experts, and other professionals who have come from different backgrounds for a common purpose. We are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.

WHAT WE OFFER

Employees at the Alliance receive a comprehensive total rewards package inclusive of employer-paid medical, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that employees may contribute to. The Alliance also has a 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%, generous Paid Time Off (PTO), equipment and supplies to work remotely, and additional resources to help employees do their best work.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Development Services Manager will be responsible for assisting with the effective management, measurement, and analysis of the movement of prospects through the fundraising cycle. They will serve as a steward and analyst of data pertaining to key development initiatives, including prospect management, gift processing, creating proposal calendars, and maintaining key reports and documents. In addition, they will manage and maintain the integrity of our CRM database across these areas.

The Development Services Manager will report to the Deputy Director of Development as a part of the Development department, which is responsible for securing funding to support the Alliance’s operating budget and field infrastructure.

We expect this individual to adhere to the Alliance’s hybrid work schedule, working both remotely and from our office in Bala Cynwyd, PA.

*The position is based in the United States.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Alliance’s Donor Prospect Management Process

• Conduct research to help determine philanthropic interests and giving capacity of major gift prospects.

• Coordinate regular prospect management meetings.

• Coordinate and capture data received from internal and external sources about major gift prospects, including planned strategic moves across the fundraising continuum.

• Prepare donor/prospect activity reports for team members and conduct follow-up on progress steps and updates.

• Provide invitation lists for Development engagement and stewardship events.

• Provide wide-ranging support to the Director of Philanthropy in managing and coordinating relationship activity with Board members and key prospects assigned to the Executive Director and the Director of Philanthropy. This includes: scheduling meetings, creating agendas, preparing lists, tracking deadlines and due dates, creating and updating support materials, and drafting correspondence.

• Act as the Development department liaison with other departments on joint initiatives, including helping to develop and manage project plans and timelines.

• Manage the Gift Processing and Acknowledgement Process

  • Open mail, scan and store copies of gifts, and enter gift data.
  • Create acknowledgments within 72 hours of gift receipt and ensure execution of signatures and mailing.
  • Develop monthly giving reports for distribution.
  • Track LYBUNT and lapsed donors monthly.

• Manage Annual Donor/Prospect Communications Calendar

  • Develop and oversee the communications schedule for outreach initiatives to all donors and prospects.
  • Provide support and coordination to the Communications team and key contributing team members to execute specific information pieces and personalization to assigned prospects.

• Lead departmental process improvement initiatives

  • As the Alliance and the department continue to grow, ensure compliance with best practice policies.

• These duties may change or expand over time consistent with the organization’s needs and initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and Skills

  • 5+ years of experience in Development.

• Experience with donor prospect management, events, gift processing and acknowledgement policies, and donor communications and campaigns.

• Open, transparent, and professional communication and interpersonal skills, both internally and externally, with potential donors, supporters, and key stakeholders.

• Problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Project and/or program management skills.

• Attributes and Characteristics

  • Strategic thinker with ability to execute ideas.
  • Self-directed; takes initiative and is committed to individual and organizational success.
  • Demonstrated sound judgment, professionalism, and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
  • Highly collaborative and team-oriented; willing to lean into work outside of your respective area to support a small but growing team; ability to work across departments.
  • Responsible and conscientious; excellent attention to detail.
  • Gracious professionalism and emotional maturity.
  • Mission-aligned; passionate about the work and dedicated to the organization’s goals.
  • Ability and willingness to be flexible and adapt to changing conditions.