Director, Philanthropic Operations

Trust For the National Mall•Washington, DC

11d•$110 - $120

About The Position

The Director, Philanthropic Operations provides leadership and strategic direction for the operational aspects of the Trust for the National Mall’s Philanthropy team, developing and implementing strategies to support short- and long-term fundraising goals. The role reports to the Chief Revenue & Growth Officer (CRGO), serves on the Philanthropy leadership team, and collaborates with Communications, Operations, Programs, and Projects teams to advance organizational goals and initiatives. The Director leads philanthropic operations, project management, team development, budgeting and forecasting, donor relations and stewardship, and strategic planning. This includes maintaining strong processes and data integrity, managing fundraising systems and cross-functional projects, overseeing team members and specialized resources, and providing performance and revenue reporting to leadership. The Trust for the National Mall is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. It raises private funding and provides project expertise and in-kind support to restore, enrich, and preserve the National Mall. The organization describes its environment as collaborative, fast-paced, and dynamic, and offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and generous time-off policies.

Requirements

Minimum 8 years of experience in nonprofit philanthropy and/or operations management, with a successful track record of increasing responsibility.
Demonstrated experience in database management, budget management, and fundraising strategy development.
Demonstrated experience in a nonprofit operations role, including managing budgets, financial modeling, and revenue forecasting.
Advanced expertise in database systems administration and data architecture.
Proficiency with modern CRM platforms; Salesforce is preferred.
Knowledge of standard accounting principles for gift administration.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proactively identifying and addressing challenges and opportunities.
Project management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication and storytelling skills, internally and externally.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Effective people management and team-development skills.
Proactive collaboration, ability to anticipate needs, and a flexible mindset.
Initiative and adaptability, with a can-do attitude in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to building a culture of philanthropy within the organization, the Philanthropy Team, and among external stakeholders.
Passion for and commitment to the Trust’s mission and values.
Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience working on a capital campaign.

Responsibilities

Oversee the development, maintenance, and implementation of philanthropy policies, procedures, templates, and documentation.
Identify process bottlenecks, simplify workflows, and standardize hand-offs among gift officers, operations, Finance, and Communications.
Manage cross-functional Philanthropy projects and initiatives, including scope, timelines, ownership, and status reporting.
Optimize fundraising systems and licensed resources, drive enhancements and integrations, and evaluate new tools, including AI-assisted tools.
Maintain high standards of data integrity and security in donor management systems in accordance with business practices, industry standards, and government regulations.
Lead, mentor, and develop the Philanthropy Operations team across prospect research and pipeline development, gift processing and records management, stewardship and donor relations, systems administration, and reporting.
Supervise direct reports in data and systems, prospect development, donor engagement, and Philanthropy team assistance.
Set team roles, priorities, and performance goals, and ensure coverage and cross-training for key functions.
Recruit and onboard permanent or contingent positions as needed.
Identify, secure, and oversee auxiliary resources that provide specialized expertise or additional capacity for fundraising and revenue goals.
Lead preparation and management of the Philanthropy Team budget and allocate resources to support fundraising goals and operating revenue targets.
In consultation with the CRGO and Chief Operating Officer, analyze monthly financial statements and provide quarterly fundraising-performance updates for Board reporting.
Ensure accurate and efficient recording of gifts and opportunities in the CRM and timely gift reporting and reconciliation with Finance.
Own regular team performance reporting, including pipeline, revenue, and OKR progress, for leadership.
Develop revenue forecasting models and projections to support strategic decisions and financial planning.
Develop scenario-based models to assess fundraising strategies, donor pipelines, and campaign outcomes.
Establish and implement prospect management, targeted engagement, and tiered stewardship strategies across donor levels.
Oversee donor relations support for gift officers and stewardship activities, including tours, mailings, and presentations, ensuring consistent standards and timely follow-through.
Coordinate with Events and other Trust teams to incorporate donor and prospect engagement into event planning and track it systematically.
Partner with Communications, gift officers, and external partners to create relevant donor-engagement content reflecting the Trust’s identity, mission, and priorities.
Provide operational leadership and administrative oversight for planning, implementing, and improving Philanthropy team functions, operations, and resources.
Collaborate with the CRGO, Vice President of Philanthropy, Managing Director of Corporate Engagement, and other Trust leadership to align fundraising with organizational goals, project priorities, and financial targets.
Support the CRGO in leading team projects and organizational initiatives, including translating OKRs into plans, owners, and milestones.
Build a team culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement that reflects the Trust’s values.