General Summary:

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, value, and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

The Director of Development Services provides overall strategy, leadership, and direction for the development services team while serving as the primary administrator of the zoo’s fundraising database, Raiser’s Edge. The Director oversees database management, gift processing, prospect research, portfolio management, and manages related staff. They will train and supervise development team members on database use and tracking, run (and restructure as needed) all development reports, and serve as the liaison to Lincoln Park Zoo’s finance department. This position will prioritize ensuring data accuracy and integrity to support department-wide priorities in database utilization, prospect management, and prospect research. They will lead the manipulation of data for complex report creation and provide dashboards reporting success and priorities to the development team and senior Lincoln Park Zoo leadership. They will support any future database migration and/or upgrade of current Raiser’s Edge services.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• 5-7 years of relevant database management experience in a nonprofit development setting and minimum of 2 years in a management role
• Extensive working knowledge of Raiser's Edge required
• Very strong proficiency writing queries, forms, and reports for staff across the development team and executive zoo leadership
• Experience developing and supporting reporting solutions using VBA, SQL, Access, Excel, Crystal Reports
• Ability to translate end users’ needs into effective reporting solutions in annual giving, membership, individual giving, corporate and foundation giving, and executive leadership
• Experience leading a prospect management function and regular portfolio maintenance and review
• Experience in prospect research strongly preferred
• Ability to train, motivate and manage staff in a high-volume data entry environment
• Proven ability to analyze data and identify recurring patterns and report discrepancies
• Knowledge of general accounting principles and IRS substantiation and disclosure requirements for charitable contributions
• Utmost discretion in handling confidential data

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage gift processing staff and supervise data entry, gift coding audits, monthly reconciliation, and other tasks and projects, ensuring that donor intentions are honored, and gifts are processed and acknowledged quickly and accurately
• Manage prospect research while providing strategy and best practices in the development of robust prospect research content
• Respond to data retrieval requests, generating accurate reports, mailing lists, recognition lists and other data extractions in a timely manner
• Design, enhance, and maintain reports for the development team using Raiser’s Edge, VBA, Access, Excel, Crystal Reports, and/or SQL
• Troubleshoot data issues and proactively identify process issues and suggest solutions
• Maintain integrity and security of the fundraising database and donor information
• Serve as the liaison to the accounting department regarding gift coding and reconciliation
• Serve as the liaison with the IT department for database issues including installation, upgrades and patches, special projects, or performance issues
• Train Raiser’s Edge end users and assist staff with constructing queries, exports and reports
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, training manuals, and documentation related to use of the database and reports
• Experience with Salesforce and/or CRM/ticketing systems preferred
• Strong interpersonal, communication and training skills
• Commitment to team-wide collaboration
• Flexibility and the ability to perform in a pressure-filled environment
• Other duties as assigned, including working special events as needed

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to work seated in front of a computer for extended periods of time
• All Lincoln Park Zoo employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Additional Requirements:

• 
  Availability to work occasional nights and weekends for special events or to complete seasonal responsibilities is preferred

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.