Senior Manager of Advancement Operations (Full-time, Onsite)

Description

MASS MoCA is embarking on an exciting period of growth in our Advancement department. As we build a best-in-class fundraising team to support the organization’s forward momentum, we’re looking for a dynamic leader who will not only manage day-to-day operations but also help recruit, mentor, and develop a cohesive group of fundraising professionals. The Senior Manager of Advancement Operations will play a key role in shaping our team culture—fostering collaboration, driving professional development, and ensuring every member feels empowered to contribute their best work.

The Senior Manager of Advancement Operations will be a lead partner in planning and implementing fundraising strategies across the department. In addition to overseeing the Advancement Services Coordinator and the Administrative Assistant to Advancement, this position will help build out our operations function—crafting efficient workflows, setting shared goals, and elevating team performance to new heights.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to develop protocols for the onboarding, training, and continued development of Advancement team members.
• Establish clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and collaboration within the Advancement Operations team, specifically
• Work with the team to help manage the Advancement operations timeline, strategies, and requests across all income sources–individual, corporate, government, and foundation. 
• Conduct and/or manage development and recording of research on individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations through Tessitura, giving records, and through outside sources to inform targeted cultivation plans.
• Partner with the Advancement Services Coordinator to ensure that income-related records are accurate and consistent. Oversight includes the donor management system and its data, foundation agreements and requirements, acknowledgments and other donor communications, and periodic financial reconciliations.
• Responsible for managing, supervising and making critical decisions in personnel management including hiring and terminations, performance management, scheduling, mentoring, discipline and implementing institutional policies and procedures.
• Compile detailed profiles on prospects and donors—documenting their giving history, key relationships, and philanthropic interests—to inform strategic cultivation plans and solicitation timelines
• Partner with CAO and other Senior Managers to support advancement activities generally and to prepare for cultivation events for prospects and donors, including meetings, luncheons, dinners, and other special events. 
• Update and prepare solicitation template materials as needed for presentation to prospects and donors. 
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to design and execute fundraising appeals (direct mail, email, online campaigns)
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and stakeholders, ensuring their ongoing engagement with MASS MoCA
• Develop and provide status reports and updates to leadership
• Assure timely and accurate reporting to the accounting and finance team
• Collaborate with the Communications and Content team to manage donor communications and platform engagement, including event invitations, email newsletters, direct mailings, renewal solicitations, sponsorship proposals, acknowledgments, and website integrations for donor payment systems. 
• Working with the Advancement team, the IT department and outside vendors as needed, help to assess needs for new or supplemental products (research, data enrichment, giving and engagement platforms, e.g.) specifically in the context of Campaign-readiness and movement toward a best-practice baseline.
• Coordinate periodic updates of content for Advancement sections of the MASS MoCA website and other advancement templates and communication materials. .
• Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, uphold accountability to donors, and safeguard confidentiality in accordance with the ethical principles and professional standards of fundraising.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested by CAO

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience
• 5+ years of frontline fundraising experience in a fast-paced nonprofit environment
• Excellent writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills; personable and approachable
• Proven track record of building, leading, and motivating high-performing teams
• Deep familiarity with Tessitura or equivalent CRM systems
• Experience and comfort in connecting with new and prospective supporters and donors 
• Ability to nurture ongoing relationships to ensure solid retention year to year
• Strong project-management skills, with an ability to prioritize competing deadlines
• Ability to successfully communicate with a wide range of internal constituents including Board members, senior management, program staff, finance staff, and volunteers
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Commitment to the highest standards of customer service and professionalism 
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience, including managing staff or volunteers, preferred

Additional Requirements:

• Comfort working a flexible schedule, including some weekend, holiday, and evening events
• Ability to travel occasionally for events and donor meetings
• This position is based onsite at MASS MoCA’s North Adams campus; regular in-person attendance is required

Exempt. Minimum starting wage: $72,000 per year

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter as part of your application. We also ask that you complete the brief screening questions included in the online application form. Applications without a cover letter or responses to the screening questions may not be considered.