Development Operations Associate

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Operations Associate is responsible for managing and maintaining the organization’s donor database, currently Raiser’s Edge, to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and efficiency across all fundraising and donor engagement activities. Key duties include overseeing gift processing, financial reporting, and developing complex queries and reports to support fundraising efforts and organizational leadership.

The role collaborates closely with the Finance team to reconcile revenue, streamline gift entry processes, and implement best practices for donor data management. Additionally, the Associate will create and manage dynamic dashboards, troubleshoot database issues, and develop supplementary tools in MS Excel to enhance reporting capabilities. The Development Operations Associate will also play a critical role in maintaining donor and prospect profiles, managing donor relations around named scholarship funds, and fostering communication between donors and other members of the Development team.

This position requires strong analytical skills, a keen eye for detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement to ensure the seamless operation of development systems and processes in support of the Art Students League’s mission.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage the Raiser’s Edge donor database to ensure consistent and accurate gift entry, reporting, queries, and data cleanup.
• Develop and execute complex queries, data imports/exports, reports, and global updates to maintain database integrity.
• Generate daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports for fundraising, financial analysis, and organizational leadership.
• Create and manage a dynamic dashboard with real-time information and reporting metrics for analysis and tracking.
• Develop supplementary MS Excel tools to enhance Raiser’s Edge capabilities.
• Troubleshoot database issues, ensuring accuracy, data consistency, and seamless functionality.

Gift Processing and Financial Reporting

• Oversee all aspects of gift processing, ensuring gifts are appropriately credited to constituents, funds, campaigns, and appeals.
• Collaborate with Finance to reconcile revenue and ensure gift entries conform to standard operating procedures.
• Submit checks to Finance, process credit card payments, and generate gift acknowledgments within two business days in collaboration with relevant Development staff.
• Evaluate and streamline gift management processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Data Quality and Integrity

• Routinely monitor, clean, and maintain the database to eliminate duplicate, inconsistent, or outdated records.
• Develop and document policies, procedures, and user guides to ensure data integrity and consistency.
• Train new and existing staff in database functions, regularly identifying needs and updating training materials.

Scholarships and Grants

• Manage donor relationships for named scholarship funds, including annual renewals and cultivation efforts.
• Facilitate communication between donors and students to strengthen connections under named scholarship funds.

Collaboration and Administrative Support

• Partner with Finance and other departments to analyze reporting needs, ensuring accurate criteria and outputs.
• Assist with office operations, including calendar management, meeting preparation, and ensuring adherence to organizational policies and best practices.
• Assist with preparation of correspondence, proposals, solicitations, meeting materials, and special mailings (including mail merges).
• Maintain digital department files.
• Support writing, editing, proofreading, and other duties as assigned.
• Provide support for fundraising events, including the annual gala and Dream Ball, by assisting with logistics, vendor coordination, guest management, and event execution

Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with Raiser’s Edge updates, identifying opportunities for system enhancements and proposing technical solutions.
• Develop tools and resources to document ongoing database work and anticipate future needs.
• Provide training and ongoing support to staff on CRM functionalities, ensuring they can effectively utilize the database and related tools.
• Support evolving departmental projects and priorities as directed.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Information Systems, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience with Blackbaud's Raiser’s Edge is essential. Classy by Go Fund Me experience a plus. Should be proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and Excel.
• Solid understanding of database systems, data entry, and reporting, with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience in non-profit organizations or human services agencies preferred.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with a commitment to accuracy and database integrity.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams and work styles.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information and manage multiple projects independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Degree(s) Required/Preferred: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Information Systems, Communications, or a related field.

Years of Experience Desired: 3+ year's Raiser’s Edge or equivalent donor database management experience.

Computer Experience: Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word and Excel; PowerPoint; Database management.

Core Skills/Abilities Required: Experience with database input and management; excellent oral and written communications; detail-oriented; strong organizational skills.

Additional Skills/Abilities Helpful:

• Knowledge of and interest in the fine arts.
• A self-starter comfortable managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

ABOUT THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE:

The Art Students League of New York was founded in 1875 and remains an institution run by artists in support of artists. The League fulfills its mission by offering accessible, affordable, high-quality education and instruction in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, metal work and mixed media in the context of an Atelier system. There are no entrance requirements, degrees or set curriculum. Students come for a hands-on studio education accessible to anyone who truly aspires to develop as an artist, whether they seek to pursue a profession in the fine arts or are just beginning their artistic journey. Each month, students of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels study on-site at The League or through The League’s e-telier online class program. Many famous artists who have shaped the vocabulary of art worldwide have been instructors, lecturers, and students at the League. They include Georgia O'Keeffe, Romare Bearden, Jackson Pollock, Carmen Herrera, Robert Rauschenberg, Adrian Piper, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, James Rosenquist and Ai-Weiwei, among many others.

ASL: www.theartstudentsleague.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aslnyc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aslnyc/

THE LEAGUE'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, and ACCESS (DEIA):

The Art Students League is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Art Students League complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.