Manager of Development Operations and Events

Position Summary

The Manager of Development Operations and Events is responsible for the systems, processes, and operational strategy that drive fundraising success at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This position oversees development operations, donor services, fundraising events, and Tessitura administration while ensuring an exceptional donor experience throughout the philanthropic lifecycle.

Working closely with the Chief Development Officer, this individual serves as the operational leader of the Development Department, translating fundraising strategy into efficient systems, accurate reporting, exceptional donor stewardship, and successful fundraising events. The Manager of Development Operations and Events plays a critical role in ensuring that staff, leadership, and the Board have the tools, information, and infrastructure needed to build strong donor relationships and achieve fundraising goals.

Development Operations and Donor Strategy Support

• Oversee the day-to-day administration, integrity, and optimization of the Tessitura fundraising database, ensuring the accurate and timely recording of gifts, pledges, donor activity, and constituent information.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret reports that support fundraising strategy, donor engagement, campaign performance, and organizational decision-making.
• Ensure consistent data standards, gift coding, reporting accuracy, and adherence to organizational policies and best practices.
• Produce regular and ad hoc reports for the Chief Development Officer, Board of Directors, and other internal stakeholders.
• Manage moves management tracking and support portfolio management across the development team.
• Develop and maintain fundraising dashboards, revenue tracking tools, and performance metrics.
• Partner with Ticketing, Marketing, Finance, Education, and other internal departments to ensure donor records, recognition, gift reconciliation, and communications are accurate and aligned.
• Develop, document, and continually improve departmental policies, procedures, best practices for data and events operations.
• Serve as Tessitura super-user, leading system enhancements, troubleshooting, training, and process improvements.
• Identify opportunities to leverage technology and automation to improve operational efficiency and donor engagement.
• Partner with the Finance Department on gift reconciliation, financial reporting, audit preparation, and fundraising revenue tracking.

Donor Services & Stewardship

• Oversee all donor services functions to ensure a timely, accurate, and donor-centered experience from gift receipt through stewardship.
• Develop and continuously improve donor service standards, workflows, and procedures.
• Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgments, tax receipts, pledge reminders, tribute gifts, matching gifts, and donor correspondence.
• Monitor donor recognition across all platforms, including publications, signage, annual reports, performances, and special events.
• Partner with frontline fundraising staff to implement stewardship plans and ensure a consistently exceptional donor experience.
• Resolve donor inquiries and gift-related issues with professionalism, discretion, and outstanding customer service.
• Oversee donor benefit fulfillment, including Bard Circle and other recognition societies.
• Maintain confidential donor records and ensure compliance with organizational gift acceptance policies, data privacy standards, and IRS regulations.

Development Events & Fundraising Execution

• Lead the planning, project management, and execution of all fundraising and donor engagement events from concept through post-event reconciliation, including:
  • Guest lists, registration, ticketing, and seating
  • Sponsorship tracking and fulfillment
  • Invitation, RSVP, and donor communication lists
  • Paddle Raise, live auction, and other fundraising revenue tracking
  • Event décor, rentals, vendors, and budget management
• Co-develop project timelines and production schedules for all development events.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure event logistics, space needs, production schedules, and guest experiences support fundraising objectives.
• Oversee event registration systems, guest management, and reporting.
• Ensure event revenue, attendance, and donor information are accurately captured, reconciled, and reported.
• Conduct post-event reconciliation, evaluation, and reporting to inform future planning and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the Donor Services Associate.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture built on accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional donor service.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between Development, Finance, Marketing, Education, Production, Box Office, and other departments.
• Support the Chief Development Officer in departmental planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner in developing systems and processes that strengthen fundraising performance across the department.

Qualifications