Philanthropy Operations Director

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Location: San Francisco

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), the Philanthropy Operations Director (Director) is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the philanthropy staff at TPL, as well as strategic support and solutions that leverage TPL’s data, technology, reporting, business processes and people. While the CPO is ultimately responsible for the Philanthropy program at TPL, the Director will implement the strategies, policies, procedures and budgets approved by the CPO.  The Director participates in decisions regarding long-range planning, resource generation, priority setting, staff deployment and management for the department while implementing the same.  The Director is a true partner of the CPO’s, enabling the CPO to focus on leadership issues as well as prospects and solicitations while the Director focuses on management administration and support of the fundraising staff.

The Director is responsible for accurate and timely gathering, storage, maintenance, processing, and analysis of a high volume of fund raising data (acknowledgements, donor information, giving histories, etc.), while maintaining quick response times and accuracy of data capture. The Director will direct staff to address these demands while mitigating any issues or errors and developing and managing appropriate quality control standards.

The Director will ensure that TPL’s Philanthropy priorities are clearly defined and promoted, that staff are efficiently deployed to assure the attainment of the priorities, and that volunteers and staff have the materials and the knowledge needed to effectively promote the gift opportunities associated with the priorities. 

The Director will manage and improve TPL’s technology usage to support philanthropy efforts. This includes oversight of the team responsible for TPL’s donor database (PledgeMaker) as well as reporting, online giving (Convio) and other tools. The Director will coordinate efforts with the Information Services team and other departments to ensure the effective implementation of applications such as Convio for online engagement and current and future reporting and business intelligence resources.

The Director is responsible for translating and interpreting the needs of the organization into data, reporting, initiatives and priorities that are easily understood by multiple audiences. By doing so the Director effectively maintains a drive towards leveraging available data and resources towards strategic action. 

The Director supervises the Philanthropy Operations team (Philanthropy Database Management, Database Analysts & Gift Processing) and the Annual Fund & Stewardship Team (Director of the Annual Fund, Direct Mail and Online Giving Coordinator, Direct Mail Donor Steward & Acknowledgement Associate). Therefore, the Director helps to ensure that the Philanthropy Staff in the field have the support resources they need to realize their goals. The Director also works with functional leaders to ensure that all of TPL’s philanthropy operations priorities are met.  The Director is responsible for ensuring that all activities outlined above are successfully coordinated with field activities as well as other key departments (Finance & Accounting, Operations, Marketing, etc.).

The Director of Philanthropy Operations is responsible for planning and managing processes, programs and procedures that enhance the ability of the department to use technology in support of fundraising, donor relations, and database management. The Director leads computer data collection, maintenance, and records management, and manages teams that ensure that the systems support this work. The position is also responsible for financial processes, financial reporting, preparing special reports and presentations, and ensuring that policies and procedures are up-to-date.

Expectations

The Director is expected to:

• Provide strategic vision and business planning acumen to the Philanthropy Operations department.
• Be responsible for the project management and implementation of Philanthropy department improvements. Works in collaboration with peers and executive-level leaders as well as Philanthropy staff in these efforts. This includes everything from strategic planning process improvements, to systems implementation to policy implementation. 
• Ensure the effectiveness of the Direct Mail, Online Giving and Annual Fund.
• Ensure that the database is accurate and that the analysis and reporting of that data meets the needs of the philanthropy field staff and philanthropy campaigns.
• Ensure that best practices are being followed in the field.
• Ensure Budget Review Team has up to date information about Philanthropy progress, including cash flow and receivables.
• Coordinate budgeting processes and forecasting by synthesizing plans from the states and divisions.
• Proactively manage the strategic needs of the department via relationship building, data gathering and strategic planning.
• Ensure that Philanthropy Operations is well managed – providing clear goals, direction and recognition to staff.

 Essential Functions 

30%  The Director will oversee TPL’s Philanthropy Operations (Annual Fund & Stewardship, Database Management, Reporting and Business Intelligence, & Gift Processing)

• Assesses existing systems to track fundraising prospects, solicitations and ongoing relationships, and recommends refinements, as appropriate, to ensure the Philanthropy infrastructure supports TPL’s short-term and long-term goals.
• Lead, mentor and guide the operations team to ensure that they are pursuing best practices in their field.
• Develop, manage, and measure annual campaign efforts.
• Coordinate data base management, technical support to staff, customized reports and financial data integration to facilitate control over donor programs and ensure accurate information. Activities include computer systems operations support, administrative database support for the areas of special events, donor recognition, direct mail and publications, and major gifts/planned gifts.
• Resolve any elevated customer service or database management issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Analyze prospect and donor database as it relates to direct response fundraising. Maximize the potential of the donor database, which includes being able to extract, review, and interpret results (solicitation results and donor giving patterns) and turn existing data into information that is actionable and able to improve fundraising results. Work with colleagues to develop and publish standard reports documenting response.
• Work with colleagues to produce annual and quarterly reports.

 20%  The Director will support plans for a major, nationwide capital campaigns.

• Ensure that philanthropy administration and operations are well prepared for a campaign.
•  Work closely with key staff to enhance communication on all levels of the organization.

 30%  The Director works closely with the CPO in annual planning, budgeting, goal setting, policy development, performance management, and departmental administration.  

• Provide dynamic and innovative leadership, direction and coordination over TPL”s philanthropy operations. Help craft and implement a multi-year strategic plan for Philanthropy Operations, including quantifiable success benchmarks.
• Plan and carefully manage the Philanthropy Operations budget and resources, ensuring that they are allocated efficiently and effectively, maximizing return on investment and ensuing comprehensive service throughout TPL’s offices.
• Foster an environment of achievement and ensure staff accountability for excellence through clearly defined and measurable goals.  Celebrate current achievements and set clear expectations for future success. Bring together senior staff, Philanthropy staff and volunteer leadership as a cohesive and cooperative unit. 
• Resolve elevated administrative and/or personnel issues connected to the Philanthropy team in a timely and effective manner, consulting with the CPO as appropriate.
• Provide oversight of workforce Philanthropy through recruitment and retention, employee training and engagement efforts, thereby maximizing growth potential of employees and strong succession planning.  Embrace diversity as a strategic advantage.
• Model and foster excellent customer service standards for the Philanthropy function.

  20%  Other duties as assigned by the Chief Philanthropy Officer

• The Director’s role will adjust and align with philanthropy needs, particularly related to current and future campaigns, board expectations, and executive support.

 Qualifications 

• Demonstrated senior level administrative, leadership experience in a complex, decentralized environment.
• Minimum 7 years related experience, focused primarily on oversight of a fundraising department and in directing capital campaigns.
• Thorough and specific knowledge of the principles and techniques of direct response campaign strategies, online engagement, major gift fundraising, prospect research or other aspect of fundraising. Direct experience as a fundraiser preferred.
• Database management experience required.
• Proficiency in Crystal Reports or other industry leading reporting tool(s) strongly preferred.
• Experience collaborating with and managing vendors and consultants.
• High degree of knowledge of administrative and supervisory principles and techniques.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of performance, integrity and creativity.
• Background in marketing, business, communications desirable.
• Commitment to and thorough understanding of TPL’s mission.
• Bachelor's degree required. Advanced degree or course work in nonprofit or philanthropy best practices preferred.          

How to Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to jobs2@tpl.org.

TPL is actively recruiting a diverse workforce.