Director of Development Operations

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Position Summary:

The Director of Development Operations provides high-level operational support, driving daily team activities and leading strategic planning around goals, budgets, and performance. By managing planning and project workstreams, developing an team engagement plan, and overseeing key fundraising operations, this role serves as a vital connector across development teams and the broader division.

This dynamic role delivers strategic support with professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality, fostering a positive team culture through collaboration and strong working relationships. The Director supports the development leadership team, including the Chief Development Officer, Assistant Vice Chancellors, and unit leads across 14 schools and functional areas. Success in this position requires managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment that values flexibility, creativity, and teamwork.

About the Work Unit: 

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the engagement, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can visit our website for more information:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

Leads Development Team Operations

• Facilitates the planning of all development team meetings, retreats, and training activities in collaboration with partners on the team and from other functional areas 

• Provides single-stop coordination for the development team related to the Project Management Office as they develop and execute projects and workstreams that impact the team 

• Leads the ongoing maintenance and continuous refinement of the dashboards and methodologies to track and measure development officer performance in close collaboration wit the Research & Prospect Development, Information Management, and the Data and Strategic Analytics teams 

• Co-Leads the oversight process and ongoing review of collaborative gift process with the Research and Prospect Development Team

• Facilitates the overall budget management process for the development team by coordinating with each budget unit and the DAR finance team; provides regular updates and tracks on budget totals throughout the year, and supports annual budget planning

• Oversees the professional development budget and approval process for the development team to ensure accessibility, equitable distribution, and strategic use of resources .

• Provides drafts and/or feedback for key planning documents including annual planning outlines, development officer credit documentation, budget memos, and training materials

Facilitates Internal Communications

• Drafts numerous ongoing communications, including a weekly dispatch newsletter with thoughtful and relevant content for the team 

• Drafts meeting materials with a significant emphasis on slide deck creation

• Works flexibly to strike a balance in various communications for varying needs, including opportunities to find humor and ways to keep team culture and morale top of mind

• Ensure quality, consistency, and effectiveness of all communications, including the highest level of quality, timeliness, and accuracy in communications for projects.

Intentionally and Proactively Collaborates Far and Wide

• Regularly participates in working groups, represents the development team in meetings and discussions, and seeks information sharing opportunities wherever possible 

• Partners regularly with Gift and Donor Services, CRM and IM teams to triage challenges, facilitate workflows, and execute on seasonal projects as needed—including pledge collection and other activities that affect all frontline fundraisers

• Seeks constant feedback and involvement from various parts of the organization to incorporate content into meetings, create new training opportunities, and support the ov