Manager of Development Operations and Events

CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER•Chicago, IL

5d•$62,000 - $65,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager of Development Operations and Events leads the systems, processes, and operational strategy that support fundraising at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The role oversees development operations, donor services, fundraising events, and Tessitura administration, with responsibility for maintaining an exceptional donor experience throughout the philanthropic lifecycle. Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, the manager translates fundraising strategy into efficient systems, accurate reporting, effective stewardship, and successful events. The position ensures staff, leadership, and the Board have the tools and information needed to build donor relationships and achieve fundraising goals. The manager oversees Tessitura database administration, data integrity, gift processing and reconciliation, reporting, moves management, dashboards, and operational procedures. The role partners with Finance and other departments on accurate donor records, recognition, communications, reporting, audits, and fundraising revenue tracking, and serves as Tessitura super-user for enhancements, troubleshooting, training, and process improvement. The position also oversees donor services and stewardship, including gift acknowledgments and receipts, pledge reminders, donor correspondence, recognition, benefit fulfillment, donor inquiries, and confidential donor records. It leads planning and execution of fundraising and donor engagement events, including guest management, ticketing, sponsorship fulfillment, fundraising revenue tracking, vendors, budgets, logistics, reconciliation, and post-event reporting. The manager supervises and develops the Donor Services Associate and supports departmental planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives. The primary worksite is Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; some evening and weekend work is required for performances, donor events, and special events. The work involves prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and computer work, and lifting up to 10 pounds. Chicago Shakespeare Theater is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and provides equal employment opportunities while prohibiting discrimination on protected grounds.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
At least four years of experience in fundraising operations, advancement services, development administration, or a related field.
Experience working with a relational CRM database.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.
Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
Ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy.
Collaborative, service-oriented approach and commitment to an exceptional donor experience.
Ability to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and exercise sound judgment.
Commitment to continuous process improvement and operational excellence.
High degree of discretion in handling confidential donor and organizational information.
Ability to think strategically while executing tactically.

Nice To Haves

Tessitura experience.
Experience in a performing arts, cultural, or nonprofit organization.
Experience supporting fundraising events, annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, and fundraising reporting.
Experience supervising staff or leading cross-functional project teams.

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day administration, integrity, and optimization of the Tessitura fundraising database, including accurate and timely recording of gifts, pledges, donor activity, and constituent information.
Generate, analyze, and interpret reports supporting fundraising strategy, donor engagement, campaign performance, and organizational decision-making.
Maintain consistent data standards, gift coding, reporting accuracy, and compliance with organizational policies and best practices.
Produce regular and ad hoc reports for the Chief Development Officer, Board of Directors, and internal stakeholders.
Manage moves management tracking and support portfolio management across the development team.
Develop and maintain fundraising dashboards, revenue tracking tools, and performance metrics.
Partner with Ticketing, Marketing, Finance, Education, and other departments to align donor records, recognition, gift reconciliation, and communications.
Develop, document, and improve departmental policies, procedures, and best practices for data and event operations.
Serve as Tessitura super-user, leading system enhancements, troubleshooting, training, and process improvements.
Identify opportunities to use technology and automation to improve operational efficiency and donor engagement.
Partner with Finance on gift reconciliation, financial reporting, audit preparation, and fundraising revenue tracking.
Oversee donor services to provide a timely, accurate, donor-centered experience from gift receipt through stewardship.
Improve donor service standards, workflows, and procedures.
Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgments, tax receipts, pledge reminders, tribute gifts, matching gifts, and donor correspondence.
Monitor donor recognition across publications, signage, annual reports, performances, and special events.
Partner with frontline fundraising staff to implement stewardship plans and deliver a consistent donor experience.
Resolve donor inquiries and gift-related issues with professionalism, discretion, and strong customer service.
Oversee donor benefit fulfillment, including Bard Circle and other recognition societies.
Maintain confidential donor records and ensure compliance with gift acceptance policies, data privacy standards, and IRS regulations.
Lead the planning, project management, and execution of fundraising and donor engagement events from concept through post-event reconciliation.
Manage event guest lists, registration, ticketing, seating, sponsorship tracking and fulfillment, invitation and RSVP lists, fundraising revenue tracking, vendors, décor, rentals, and budgets.
Co-develop project timelines and production schedules for development events.
Coordinate with internal departments on event logistics, space needs, production schedules, and guest experience.
Oversee event registration systems, guest management, and reporting.
Ensure event revenue, attendance, and donor information are accurately captured, reconciled, and reported.
Conduct post-event reconciliation, evaluation, and reporting to inform future planning and improvement.
Supervise, mentor, and develop the Donor Services Associate.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional donor service.
Serve as the primary operational liaison between Development, Finance, Marketing, Education, Production, Box Office, and other departments.
Support the Chief Development Officer with departmental planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
Advise on systems and processes that strengthen fundraising performance across the department.