Cato Institute · 1 month ago
Director of Development Operations
Washington, DC
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$150K/yr - $170K/yr
7+ years expCato Institute is an independent public policy research organization that promotes libertarian ideas. They are seeking a Director of Development Operations to lead systems, processes, and innovations that enhance fundraising success, focusing on AI adoption and automation in fundraising operations.
Non Profit
No H1B
Responsibilities
Supervise, mentor, and coach a team of five —including internal and externally facing Development staff—fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and donor-first culture
Recruit, train, and develop staff and interns to advance operational excellence across Development
Provide training and onboarding support in fundraising best practices, CRM use, SOPs, and innovation adoption
Lead AI adoption and automation efforts in Development operations, identifying opportunities to integrate emerging technologies into fundraising workflows
Maintain an optimized Development CRM (Salesforce) and supporting technologies to ensure seamless fundraising activity and actionable insights
Partner with Data Services/IT on CRM data governance practices, integrations, and system enhancements
Proactively identify risks, opportunities, and solutions to strengthen Development’s data infrastructure
Implement and manage fundraising best practices across the Development team
Develop and track KPIs and performance metrics for fundraising operations, presenting reports and dashboards to leadership, the board, and key stakeholders
Analyze donor and program performance data to generate actionable insights that guide fundraising strategies
Project management and process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and impact
Oversee strategy and execution of the annual giving program (~$6.5M goal, <$25,000 donors), ensuring year-over-year growth
Manage renewal calendars, appeals, segmentation, donor surveys, and stewardship initiatives
Collaborate with Marketing and Development Communications on integrated donor journeys and digital engagement
Lead strategic prospecting, research, and stewardship operations with an emphasis on upgrading donors and securing new planned gifts
Ensure prospect research outputs translate into actionable cultivation and solicitation strategies
Serve as a thought partner to the VP of Development in campaign planning, forecasting, and budgeting
Support board and campaign committee engagement through analytics and reporting
Champion a culture of innovation within Development, advancing both short-term improvements and long-term strategic goals
Qualification
Required
7-10+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including team leadership
Expertise in Salesforce (or comparable CRM) and advanced data analytics
Strong track record integrating AI and technology solutions into fundraising or operations
Demonstrated success in annual giving, donor stewardship, and fundraising operations
Experience with prospect research, business intelligence tools, and performance metrics
Excellent leadership, management, and communication skills
Commitment to Cato's mission of advancing individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace
Preferred
Salesforce power-user credentials
Digital fundraising and mid-level donor program expertise
Campaign experience within a major nonprofit or policy organization
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Generous vacation and sick days
Paid parental leave
Employer-provided life and disability insurance
401(k) employer match
Transit/ Parking benefits
Pet discount plan
Company
Cato Institute
Promoting an American public policy based on individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peaceful international relations.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Emily Ekins
Vice President and Director of Polling
Recent News
Business Insider
2025-10-13
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