Development Operations Associate

Description

Department: Development

Grade Range/Job Status: Full Time/Exempt/Salaried

Reporting Relationship: Director of Development

Supervisory Responsibilities: NA

Typical Schedule: Primarily M-F Days. Must occasionally be willing and able to work flexible hours/days, including evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the organization. (can work a hybrid schedule –remote and in-person).

Position Summary

The Development Operations Associate serves as a cross-functional role within the Development team, supporting the organization and all programs by helping ensure day-to-day operational continuity, responsiveness, and high-quality internal service. This position acts as a bridge across key operations functions—providing primary support to development operations while also assisting with administrative and coordination needs in fiscal/finance processes, marketing support, clerical operations, and executive/administrative support to the leadership team as assigned. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Hammer/NER’s core values of Person-Centered, Relational, Opportunistic, and Stewardship in order to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities with the opportunity to live life to its fullest.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Individual Giving

• Develop and execute annual grant, corporate giving, and sponsorship plans aligned with Hammer & NER priorities and assigned revenue goals.
• Achieve annual grant and corporate giving revenue goals.
• Maintain a qualified grant pipeline valued at approximately three times the annual grant revenue goal.
• Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects, prioritizing opportunities by funding potential, mission alignment, and relationship readiness.
• Cultivate lasting relationships with corporate representatives through meetings, communications, site visits, and other engagement activities.
• Manage post-award responsibilities, including award documentation, grant budgets, compliance requirements, progress updates, and financial and programmatic reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance and program teams to ensure grant-funded activities and expenditures are documented appropriately.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records, including contact reports, relationship activity, proposals, commitments, and next steps.

2. Analysis, Reporting & Stewardship

• Track key performance metrics to measure progress, inform strategy and report to leadership.
• Partner with Development and Events teams to strengthen donor stewardship and satisfaction.
• Stay current on industry trends and peer best practices.
• Maintain accurate donor records, gift acknowledgments and activity tracking in Raiser’s Edge.
• Document fundraising activity to support effective moves management and cultivation.

3. Event Planning & Support

• Provide logistical and administrative support for fundraising and community events, including planning, registration, auctions and follow-up.
• Support the Director of Development and volunteer leadership in event planning and execution.
• Manage online registrations, track pledged donations, and reconcile gifts processed via third-party platforms (e.g., OneCause, Trust Event Solutions).
• Support onsite events to ensure a seamless experience for guests and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the organization’s philanthropy goals.

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications

• Intermediate experience in nonprofit fundraising including cultivation, soliciting, and stewarding of donors. Formal, informal, and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered.
• Experience with donor databases and information management; prospect research and NXT experience a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across staff, volunteers, board members, donors and prospects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strong attention to detail, deadlines and follow-through.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Advanced Proficiency in Excel, project management experience preferred.
• Physical demands include frequent use of a telephone, frequent use of repetitive motion activities including typing on a computer keyboard and?the ability to work for several hours at a time at a desk and computer. Must be able to bend, stand, stoop and walk and lift up to 20 pounds. Must be willing and have the ability to travel between office locations and throughout the metro area. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for required travel.
• Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigrant status.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible hours/days, including occasional evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the organization.

This job description assigns essential functions. It does not restrict the tasks an individual in this position might be asked to perform or all qualifications that may be required currently or in the future.

Benefits

• 401 (k)
• Paid Time Off
• Health Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Dental Insurance (30 hours and above)
• Vision Insurance (20 hours and above)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Training
• Disability Insurance
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Savings Account
• Access to Employee Success Coach who assists employees within their first year of employment.

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