Jobs at Covenant House Illinois (Now Hiring) — 9 open

Job Title(s): Development Operations Manager 

Department: Development  

Reports To: Chief Development Officer 

Direct Reports: NA 

Classification: Exempt 

Date: 6/5/26 

Organization Overview 

Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 young people, administering tailored, wraparound services, including interim and transitional shelter, workforce and education programming, clinical case management, life-skills training, and more to help youth permanently escape the cycle of homelessness. CHIL's programs and services are youth affirming, supportive, and rooted in harm reduction and trauma-sensitive care. With a newly renovated campus on Chicago’s west side and a recently enacted three-year strategic plan outlining a comprehensive vision of program expansion and service innovation, CHIL is uniquely positioned to meet the emerging needs of young people experiencing housing instability and provide the resources and care they need to achieve sustainable independence. We empower them to finish high school, start college, gain employment, live independently, and ultimately step out into the world knowing they are prepared to be successful.  

Primary Responsibilities 

The Development Operations Specialist supports the infrastructure and administrative functions of the organization's fundraising efforts by managing donor data, gift processing, reporting, database maintenance, and development operations. This position ensures the accuracy and integrity of donor records, supports fundraising campaigns and stewardship initiatives, prepares reports and analytics, and assists with systems and processes that enhance the effectiveness of the Development team. Working collaboratively with Development staff and organizational partners, the Development Operations Specialist helps streamline operations and strengthen the organization's ability to cultivate and steward philanthropic support. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

1. Development Systems & CRM Management 

• Serve as primary administrator and internal subject matter expert for Raiser's Edge NXT and related fundraising systems.  

• Manage and maintain donor and constituent records, ensuring the highest standards of data integrity, accuracy, consistency, and completeness.  

• Develop, document, and continuously improve data governance standards, business rules, and operational procedures.  

• Oversee data imports, exports, queries, reporting structures, constituent segmentation, and system integrations.  

• Monitor database health and proactively identify and resolve data quality issues.  

• Train and support development staff in the effective use of CRM systems, reporting tools, and fundraising technology.  

1. Reporting, Analytics & Business Intelligence 

• Design, build, and maintain dashboards, reports, and analytical tools that provide insight into fundraising performance, donor engagement, pipeline activity, and campaign progress.  

• Produce recurring and ad hoc reports for executive leadership, board committees, finance, campaign planning, and development staff.  

• Develop donor segmentation models, including Recency-Frequency-Monetary (RFM) analysis and other predictive fundraising tools.  

• Analyze fundraising trends, donor retention, acquisition, upgrades, lapsed giving, and portfolio performance to support strategic decision-making.  

• Translate complex data into actionable recommendations that improve fundraising outcomes and organizational effectiveness.  

• Support forecasting, revenue planning, and performance measurement across all development channels.  

1. Gift Administration & Financial Reconciliation 

• Oversee gift processing operations, ensuring all contributions are recorded accurately, acknowledged promptly, and coded appropriately.  

• Maintain systems and procedures that ensure compliance with accounting standards, audit requirements, donor intent, and organizational policies.  

• Serve as the primary liaison between Development and Finance for gift reconciliation, reporting, audits, and financial recordkeeping.  

• Monitor gift entry workflows, pledge tracking, matching gifts, recurring gifts, and donor recognition records.  

• Ensure accurate revenue reporting and documentation across all fundraising activities.  

1. Development Operations & Process Improvement 

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of fundraising workflows, operational procedures, and internal systems.  

• Develop tracking systems that support donor pipeline management, moves management, stewardship activities, campaign execution, and revenue forecasting.  

• Build and maintain Smartsheet and other project management solutions that improve accountability, visibility, and departmental efficiency.  

• Manage the Development Department Annual Plan Tracker and operational reporting systems.  

• Identify opportunities for automation, process improvement, and increased efficiency across development operations.  

• Support campaigns, event, grant, major gift, and annual giving initiatives through operational planning and infrastructure development.  

1. Donor Services & Stewardship Operations 

• Oversee donor acknowledgment processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and personalized communications.  

• Manage donor service inquiries and support positive donor experiences across all channels.  

• Coordinate donor recognition practices and ensure consistent stewardship practices across individual, foundation, corporate, event, and in-kind giving.  

• Support the execution of stewardship plans through data management, reporting, and operational coordination.  

• Ensure donor information, communication preferences, and engagement history are accurately maintained and leveraged for relationship-building efforts.  

1. Strategic Planning & Department Support 

• Partner with development leadership to establish fundraising goals, KPIs, and performance metrics.  

• Support annual planning, budgeting, campaign planning, board reporting, and organizational strategy through data analysis and operational insight.  

• Provide operational support for capital campaigns, major fundraising initiatives, and organizational growth strategies.  

• Develop tools and reporting systems that strengthen accountability and foster a data-driven fundraising culture.  

• Collaborate across Development, Finance, Programs, and Executive Leadership to support organizational goals. 

Qualifications 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Finance, or a related field preferred.  

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, database management, administrative support, or a related field.  

• Experience with donor databases/CRM systems, gift processing, reporting, and maintaining accurate donor records preferred.  

• Experience supporting fundraising campaigns, grant reporting, or development operations preferred.  

Skills & Abilities 

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage confidential donor information.  

• Proficiency with donor management systems/CRMs, Microsoft Office Suite, and data reporting tools.  

• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.  

• Ability to identify process improvements and support efficient development operations.  

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners.  

• Ability to support a mission-driven organization and contribute to fundraising goals.