Description

FTE: 1.0 FTE 

Appointment Year: FullYear

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Position Overview
Lakeside School seeks a collaborative and detail-oriented Advancement Operations Manager to lead the systems, data, and reporting infrastructure that supports the school's philanthropic work. The role ensures the integrity and strategic use of advancement data in support of fundraising, stewardship, engagement, pipeline visibility, and fundraising performance tracking. Reporting to the Director of Institutional Philanthropy, the Advancement Operations Manager oversees the advancement database, reporting, dashboards, and gift processing functions, supervises the Fundraising Data Specialist, and supports data-informed advancement strategy and process improvement.

Lakeside: Fast Facts

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Database & Data Management

• Serve as primary administrator of the advancement database, Donorperfect, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
• Maintain data standards, policies, and procedures for Advancement.
• Oversee database maintenance including imports, updates, and data integrity.
• Conduct periodic data audits, identify root causes of recurring inconsistencies, and improve the workflows that create them.
• Maintain appropriate data governance and confidentiality practices for constituent, donor, and gift information.

Reporting & Analytics

• Develop and maintain reports and dashboards that improve visibility into pipeline health, fundraising performance, participation, and donor engagement.
• Translate advancement needs into clear, actionable insights that support fundraising decision-making and portfolio management.
• Provide reporting for the advancement team as needed.
• Compiles up-to-date results and donor information for donor listings and communications.
• Identify recurring reporting needs and implement more automated solutions where needed.
• Develop and monitor key advancement performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly communicate results to Advancement leadership. 

Gift Processing

• Oversee gift processing procedures and ensure accurate recording of philanthropic contributions.
• Maintain documentation related to gift entry, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and industry standards.
• Support pledge reminder process.
• Partner with Finance and other internal stakeholders to support reconciliation, internal controls, and audit-ready recordkeeping practices.

Systems & Operations

• Manage advancement technology systems and related integrations.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, reporting capabilities, operational efficiency, and cross-system coordination.
• Manage data imports from GreaterGiving, Veracross, DonorSearch, and other software into DonorPerfect.
• Partner with school technology staff and external vendors as needed.

Team Support

• Supervise the Fundraising Data Specialist.
• Provide training, documentation, and support to advancement staff on database use, dashboards, and reporting tools to strengthen adoption and consistency.
• Help advancement staff use data more effectively in day-to-day planning, tracking, and decision-making.
• Develop prospect profiles, briefing materials, and analytical tools that support donor strategy and relationship management.

Requirements

Qualifications
Required Qualifications

• Three or more years of progressively responsible experience in advancement services, fundraising operations, database management, CRM administration, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing and maintaining constituent databases and ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and consistency.
• Experience developing reports, dashboards, and data analyses to support fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and organizational decision-making.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and execute with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience documenting workflows, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing process improvements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships and collaborate effectively across teams.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising discretion when handling sensitive constituent and organizational information.

Preferred Qualification

• Experience in independent schools, higher education, or nonprofit fundraising environments.
• Experience with advancement CRMs such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, DonorPerfect, Salesforce, Ellucian, or similar constituent relationship management systems.
• Knowledge of fundraising operations, donor stewardship, gift processing, prospect management, campaign reporting, and advancement best practices.
• Experience developing data governance standards, policies, and procedures.
• Familiarity with wealth screening, prospect research, and donor analytics.
• Supervisory experience
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace and supporting diverse communities.
• Understanding of independent school culture and the role of philanthropy in advancing institutional mission and priorities

Compensation and Benefits
Salary Range: $89,000-$99,300 based upon experience and education. Lakeside School is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding candidates and provides a competitive compensation package. Lakeside School offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive set of benefits, including:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (based on FTE)
• Dependent medical and vision subsidy
• Retirement with generous employer contribution
• Life/disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Free lunch
• Free parking
• Bus/bike benefits
• Housing assistance program
• Reduced facility rentals
• Employee Discount Program
• Computer loan program
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Use of school library and gymnasium
• Mentoring
• Professional Development

Work Environment
While much of this role involves independent data management, systems administration, and analysis, it is also highly collaborative. Members of the Advancement team regularly partner with colleagues across the school to solve problems, improve processes, and support institutional priorities. To foster these relationships and participate fully in the life of the school, the Advancement Operations Manager is expected to maintain a regular on-campus presence (minimum three days per week).

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and at least 3 references via Lakeside’s online application system. The position will remain open until filled.

About the Advancement Team
Lakeside School’s Advancement team is an 11-person team responsible for stewarding relationships and advancing philanthropy in support of the school’s mission and strategic priorities. The team works in close partnership with school leadership, faculty, volunteers, and trustees to engage alums, families, and friends in meaningful philanthropic investment.

The Advancement team is responsible for raising approximately $3.2 million annually for the Lakeside Fund, in addition to securing support for capital projects and the school’s endowment. Through disciplined relationship management, clear institutional messaging, and strong stewardship, the team helps ensure the long-term strength and sustainability of Lakeside School.

About Lakeside
Lakeside School was founded in 1919, and currently enrolls 891 students in grades 5 through 12 from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds.

The School’s Mission and the shared commitment of all Lakeside employees is to develop in intellectually capable young people the creative minds, healthy bodies, and ethical spirits needed to contribute wisdom, compassion, and leadership to a global society. We provide a rigorous, dynamic academic program through which effective educators lead students to take responsibility for learning. We are committed to sustaining a school in which individuals representing diverse cultures and experiences instruct one another in the meaning and value of community and in the joy and importance of lifelong learning.

Working at Lakeside
Lakeside School is committed to sustaining a community in which individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds teach, learn, and thrive together. To learn more about working at Lakeside—including professional development, mentoring, benefits, and opportunities for involvement—please visit the Careers page on the Lakeside School website.