Senior Philanthropic Operations Specialist

California Community Foundation • Los Angeles, CA

4d • $91,433 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Philanthropic Operations Specialist is a service-oriented philanthropy professional responsible for managing complex donor portfolios and high-level projects across the Office of Philanthropy, including donor accounts, grantmaking activities, fiscal sponsorships, community benefit funds, and other specialized philanthropic initiatives. This role serves as a trusted resource and strategic operations partner to donors, funders, advisors, nonprofit partners, and internal stakeholders, providing responsive guidance on fund administration, grantmaking processes, reporting, donor requests, and philanthropic activities while coordinating closely across Philanthropy, Grants Management, Finance, Investments, Programs, and other departments. The Senior Philanthropic Operations Specialist oversees complex projects and donor-related initiatives, supports stewardship and cultivation strategies, conducts donor and nonprofit research, manages meetings and events, prepares executive briefings and reporting, and ensures timely follow-through on deliverables and commitments. The role also supports gift acceptance and asset management activities, supporting organization governance, database integrity, and cross-functional reporting while identifying and implementing process improvements that strengthen operational efficiency, data quality, service delivery, and the overall stakeholder experience. Through strong project management, communication, problem-solving, and relationship management skills, this position helps ensure seamless philanthropic operations and advances CCF’s mission and priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, or equivalent relevant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of three to five years of related professional experience, including at least three years of experience with donor services, philanthropic operations, database management, or related functions.
• Minimum of three years of experience with Blackbaud software, including Raiser’s Edge, with the ability to learn and effectively use database, spreadsheet, reporting, and other technology systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex donor portfolios, philanthropic projects, grantmaking activities, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of philanthropic practices, grantmaking processes, and the nonprofit community, particularly within Los Angeles County.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, synthesize, and communicate information through reports, research, executive briefing materials, and other written and verbal communications.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, complex workflows, and diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service and communicate effectively with donors, advisors, nonprofit partners, and internal teams.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently assess information, identify operational challenges, develop solutions, and improve systems and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments, build effective relationships, take initiative, and lead projects toward successful completion.
• Strong understanding of database management, donor records, reporting, and information integrity, with the ability to identify opportunities for improved systems and recordkeeping.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive, complex, and time-sensitive donor and organizational matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong commitment to collaboration, transparency, ethical conduct, responsiveness, and providing a high-quality experience to donors, funders, advisors, nonprofit partners, and other CCF constituents.

Nice To Haves

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize multiple demands, manage competing deadlines, and follow complex assignments through completion.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with donors, funders, advisors, nonprofit partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong customer-service orientation, with the ability to provide timely, accurate, and complete responses while building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse constituents.
• Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess, compile, analyze, and disseminate information and independently develop effective solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, workflows, and service delivery to increase operational efficiency and strengthen support for donors and partners.
• Strong technology and database-management skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with database, spreadsheet, reporting, and other computer programs.
• Knowledge of philanthropic practices, grantmaking processes, and the nonprofit community, with an understanding of the Los Angeles County nonprofit landscape and diverse community constituencies.
• Ability to manage complex donor accounts, projects, meetings, events, and cross-functional initiatives while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and timely follow-through.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information related to donors, nonprofit organizations, philanthropic trends, and sector best practices to support donor engagement and philanthropic initiatives.
• Ability to provide guidance, share knowledge, and support colleagues and cross-functional teams while leveraging team members’ skills and expertise to achieve CCF’s goals.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, take initiative, adapt to shifting priorities, and maintain a positive and solutions-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated initiative and continuous-improvement mindset, with the ability to evaluate operational practices and implement practical solutions that enhance efficiency, data integrity, and stakeholder service.
• Ability to manage sensitive information, complex donor needs, competing priorities, and time-sensitive requests with professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and composure.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of donor accounts, including standard and complex grantmaking activities, applications, reviews, approvals, reporting, and coordination with donors and grantees.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for donors, funders, advisors, nonprofit partners, and internal stakeholders, providing responsive guidance on fund administration, grantmaking activities, reporting, and donor requests.
• Lead complex donor projects and initiatives, coordinating across the Office of Philanthropy, Grants Management, Finance, Investments, Programs, and other departments to ensure timely and high-quality execution.
• Oversee donor account operations, including quarterly statements, donor data management, account reviews, custom fund administration, and the timely resolution of donor needs and requests.
• Serve as the Philanthropic Operations team lead for high-level donor accounts, Fiscal Sponsorships, Community Benefit Funds, and other specialized accounts, coordinating internal teams to ensure appropriate service and support.
• Support donor stewardship and cultivation strategies by analyzing philanthropic giving trends, conducting nonprofit and sector research, preparing executive briefing materials, and coordinating high-priority donor engagement activities.
• Manage the planning and execution of donor and advisor meetings and events, including scheduling, agendas, invitations, registration, briefing materials, stakeholder communications, event reporting, and follow-up activities.
• Support gift acceptance and asset management activities by coordinating with internal teams, donors, financial advisors, and institutional funders to address complex operational needs and ensure effective movement of philanthropic assets.
• Lead the coordination and execution of supporting organization Board meetings, including agenda development, board materials, reporting, meeting logistics, governance documentation, and cross-functional coordination.
• Maintain accurate and reliable donor records, electronic files, and database information, including Raiser’s Edge data related to proposals, relationships, communications, biographical information, philanthropic preferences, and team goals.
• Conduct strategic research and due diligence on prospective donors and advisors, leveraging available research tools and databases to inform engagement strategies and support philanthropic initiatives.
• Identify and implement improvements to systems, workflows, and service delivery to increase operational efficiency, strengthen data and recordkeeping, and improve the experience for donors, advisors, funders, and nonprofit partners.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex donor requests, operational issues, and time-sensitive matters, developing solutions and ensuring timely follow-through from intake through completion.
• Provide project management and operational support to the Philanthropic Impact team, including meeting coordination, communications, workflow management, tracking of action items, and completion of strategic deliverables.
• Collaborate across CCF departments to address donor activities, special needs, issues, and concerns while strengthening communication, coordination, and integration across functions.
• Provide knowledge, guidance, and operational support to colleagues and cross-functional teams while contributing to organizational initiatives, special projects, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Represent CCF professionally with donors, funders, advisors, nonprofit partners, and other constituents while maintaining a high standard of responsiveness, accuracy, collaboration, and customer service.

Benefits

• Medical insurance plans provided at no cost for all full-time staff.
• Dental insurance plans provided at no cost for all full-time staff.
• Vision insurance plans provided at no cost for all full-time staff.
• CCF contributes 10% of all full-time employee's salaries into our 403b retirement plan.
• CCF subsidizes monthly transit passes for staff who commute via public transportation.
• Assortment of snacks available to all staff in our breakrooms.
• On-site fitness center.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $15,000 for higher education after one year of service.
• Student loan repayment program of $100/month for all full-time employees after one year of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior