Advancement Operations Manager

FTE: 1.0 FTE 

Appointment Year: School Year

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

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

• 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.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.

• 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.
  

• 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.


• Creates donor profiles for prospects

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.


• Minimum 3 years of experience managing fundraising or advancement databases.


• Preferred experience in a school or non-profit setting. 


• Experience with reporting, analytics, and data management.


• Experience with CRM process improvement, dashboards, or workflow automation preferred.


• Experience supporting fundraising pipeline management, gift processing, or reconciliation practices preferred.


• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.


• Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.


• Supervisory experience preferred.

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

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.