Foundation - Development Operations Specialist

About the Role

The Development Operations Specialist serves as a key operational leader responsible for the strategic administration and optimization of development systems, analytics, project management, and operational processes within the Erlanger Health Foundation. This role reports to the Marketing, Communications and Foundation Operations Manager and ensures alignment between operational practices and organizational objectives, regulatory standards, and donor intent.

The Specialist coordinates cross-functional projects supporting fundraising operations, data integrity, system enhancements, reporting initiatives, and process improvements. This position exercises independent judgment in matters such as donor data governance, gift processing protocols, reporting standards, stewardship implementation, system optimization, and development-related project management.

Responsibilities

• Foundation Systems Administration and Data Governance
  • Serve as the strategic administrator of the Foundation's CRM and fundraising platforms (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Classy Live, GoFundMe Pro), configuring, governing, and optimizing systems.
  • Establish, implement, and enforce data governance standards, policies, and internal controls to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, regulatory compliance, and accurate fund tracking.
  • Lead system integrations, platform enhancements, and automation initiatives to improve operational efficiency and scalability.
  • Develop and maintain documentation, policies, and procedural guidelines for gift processing, donor record management, segmentation, and reporting standards.
• Reporting, Analytics & Strategic Decision Support
  • Design, analyze, and interpret complex donor, campaign, and financial reports to inform executive leadership, board reporting, and fundraising strategy.
  • Develop dashboards, forecasting tools, impact reports, and performance analytics to guide goal setting, annual planning, and campaign execution.
  • Evaluate donor behavior trends, engagement metrics, and fundraising performance data; provide strategic recommendations based on findings.
• Financial Stewardship & Fund Oversight
  • Oversee gift administration processes and fund reporting to ensure accurate recording, allocation, and tracking of restricted and unrestricted gifts.
  • Interpret donor intent documentation, endowment agreements, and fund restrictions to ensure adherence and mitigate compliance risk.
  • Collaborate with finance leadership to support reconciliation processes, audit preparation, and financial transparency.
• Compliance, Risk Management & Audit Readiness
  • Interpret and apply applicable regulatory requirements, donor disclosure standards, and nonprofit compliance guidelines.
  • Identify operational risks and recommend corrective actions or policy adjustments to executive leadership.
• Stewardship Operations & Donor Experience
  • Translate frontline fundraising strategies into operationally executable stewardship workflows, ensuring timely acknowledgment, recognition, and donor communications.
  • Provide oversight of donor engagement logistics, including event platform administration and vendor coordination, to ensure operational excellence and a seamless donor experience.
• Organizational Leadership & Operational Strategy
  • Develop and implement operational policies and procedures aligned with institutional priorities and regulatory standards.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives related to development infrastructure, systems enhancement, and process redesign.
  • Provide consultative guidance to leadership on operational risk, system capabilities, and infrastructure investments impacting fundraising performance.
  • Manage and coordinate development analytics projects, including project scope, timelines, deliverables, stakeholder coordination, data requirements, implementation, and evaluation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit development operations, fundraising services, or nonprofit program coordination.
• Demonstrated experience with CRM systems, event fundraising platforms, development analytics and reporting, project management, and nonprofit procedures and operations.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and cross-team communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with healthcare or higher education fundraising environments.
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, GoFundMePro, or similar platforms.
• Experience with development analytics, Power BI, prospect and research management, and donor data analysis within a healthcare fundraising environment.
• Certification in fundraising operations, data management, or CFRE designation.

Location: Erlanger Baroness Hospital, Chattanooga, TN