Development Operations Associate

Department: Development

Reports to: Director, Development Operations

Status: Full Time / Exempt 

Location: Remote; Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States of America

PolicyLink is a research and action institute working to advance a nation that truly governs for all. We advance structural solutions, shape conditions, build connections, and strengthen the field infrastructure needed to deliver on the promise of a nation where all can thrive. We are relentlessly focused on delivering results at a scale that matches the challenges — and the potential — of this country.

To achieve this vision, we concentrate our efforts in five key arenas that shape how the nation governs and delivers for its people:

• The legal and regulatory systems that shape our democracy and economy, including amending and advancing the U.S. Constitution

• Federal agencies, which are the engines of public policy and implementation that must deliver results

• State and local governments that deliver the benefits of citizenship to our everyday lives in the cities and states where we live

• We the People — whose collective consciousness and action must be activated toward everyone's thriving

• The institutional leaders, decision makers, and capital allocators who hold disproportionate influence over how the nation governs

Across these arenas, we are working to awaken a shared consciousness that embraces the humanity of every person; to shape government to deliver results for all; and to align the full force of our public, private, and civic resources to realize this future.

PolicyLink is seeking a Development Operations Associate to join its Development team and maintain the data infrastructure that drives strategic fundraising decisions.

The Development Operations Associate will serve as the foundation of the Development team's data systems, with primary responsibilities including data entry and cleanup across Salesforce, Google Drive, and spreadsheets. Success in this role means maintaining data accuracy to enable strategic fundraising decisions, creating documentation and standard operating procedures that support team efficiency, and building the skills to independently prioritize competing demands. Reporting to the Director of Development Operations, this role will work closely with the entire Development team.

Development Data and Systems Management

• Perform accurate and timely data entry of donor projections, pledges, and gifts into Salesforce and related systems.

• Process and manage gift and tax acknowledgments for all donations, ensuring timely and accurate donor stewardship.

• Maintain high-quality development data in Salesforce, including record updates, coding, and documentation, with attention to identifying and correcting data errors.

• Support the technical management of development systems (Salesforce, online donation platforms, and email tools) by troubleshooting basic issues, documenting processes, and coordinating with internal and external tech support as needed.

• Create and maintain Salesforce dashboards and reports for moves management, progress-to-goal tracking, and departmental reporting.

• Assist in developing systems to track donor ratings, capacity, and background data within Salesforce to support strategic fundraising decisions.

• Help ensure ratings for Candid and Guidestar are maintained and updated annually, coordinating with relevant staff to gather and submit required information.

Process Documentation and Team Support

• Create, maintain, and refine development processes and workflows, including written procedures, how-to guides, and checklists for recurring tasks.

• Maintain a digital library of current policies, forms, training materials, and standard operating procedures, ensuring easy access and version control for the Development team.

• Support onboarding of new staff to PolicyLink's development systems and database tools, including sharing materials, demonstrating basic system functions, and answering process questions.

Donor Relations and Communications Support

• Support management of online giving campaigns, including tracking and processing online gifts.

• Draft, edit, and proofread donor-facing materials, including cultivation emails and event follow-up.

• Assist in preparing briefing materials and donor-related background information as needed.

• Assist in the in-house logistical planning of cultivation events, including managing guest lists and maintaining event data.

Research and Special Projects

• Conduct basic prospect research and compile background information on institutional and individual donors as requested.

• Support special projects related to improving development systems, processes, and reporting.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Strong affinity for data quality, with attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

• Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple tasks with good judgment, building trust through reliability and follow-through.

• Quick learner who is coachable, eager to build new skills, and has an aptitude for learning technical systems and troubleshooting basic issues.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to create clear documentation and standard operating procedures.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to foster effective working relationships and collaborate across teams.

• Comfortable with results-based accountability and learning.

• Commitment to racial and economic equity and the mission of PolicyLink.

• A minimum of 1–3 years of relevant experience, preferably at a nonprofit organization.

• Experience with, or strong interest in, development operations, data entry, and database management.

• Prior experience with a Development CRM (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar) is preferred; willingness and aptitude to learn new systems and tools are required.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports.

PolicyLink offers competitive salaries commensurate with employees' experience and skills. The starting salary range for this position is $68,600–$83,200.

Additionally, PolicyLink provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.

• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions that vest immediately. New employees are eligible to participate within one month of their date of hire.

• Flexible Spending