Nonprofit
Development Operations Specialist
Details
Description
Thank you for considering a career with the Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY).
The team at RFCUNY is made up of dedicated, talented professionals committed to providing the services that allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries.
We are pleased that you are interested in exploring opportunities to join RFCUNY.
Primary Location:
CUNY SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Bargaining Unit:
No
As a leading online school in New York since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor's degree, progress from an associate's degree, earn a master's degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers.
Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule. As CUNY SPS moves beyond its’ 20th year, we dedicate ourselves to engendering an innovative and transformative student-centered experience.
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations (ODAR) at CUNY School of Professional Studies advances the School’s mission by securing philanthropic support and fostering meaningful engagement with alumni, donors, and external partners.
ODAR is responsible for individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising; major and planned giving; stewardship and donor relations; alumni engagement; ODAR-specific special events; and development operations. The office works collaboratively with the Foundation Board, and academic and administrative teams to identify funding priorities, align philanthropic strategies with institutional goals, and ensure strong stewardship of donors and gifts.
Through data-informed strategy, relationship management, and a commitment to service, ODAR builds long-term partnerships that expand access to education, strengthen academic programs, and enhance student success. The team is dedicated to professionalism, collaboration, and advancing a culture of philanthropy across the School.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Development Operations Specialist supports fundraising and alumni engagement through operational management, systems management, and infrastructure support. The position is full-time and will enable the administration of fundraising activities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports the use of Raiser's Edge NXT, Database View, NetCommunity, and related fundraising platforms, ensuring system integrity, standardized use, and data accuracy.
- Supports CRM operations, including configuration, constituent records, imports/exports, batch processing, integrations, and scheduled data maintenance.
- Supports the full gift processing cycle, including payments, pledges, recurring gifts, matching gifts, adjustments, and merchant services transactions.
- Coordinates donor acknowledgment and stewardship tracking, ensuring timely production, documentation, recognition records, and compliance reporting.
- Maintains development data accuracy and reporting standards, generating routine and ad hoc reports to support fundraising, stewardship, alumni engagement, and leadership needs.
- Prepares and maintains fundraising performance tracking reports and assists with the development of dashboards to support departmental and leadership reporting needs.
- Supports the development and implementation of development operations workflows and best practices based on institutional procedures and platform training.
- Supports the operational coordination of development and alumni events, including logistics, volunteer and registration management, vendor coordination, and post-event data reconciliation.
- Supports the securing of volunteers at ODAR events, coordinating and tracking volunteer participation, and maintaining appropriate documentation.
- Distribution of stewardship letters.
- Coordinates financial documentation and administrative submissions related to Development and Alumni Relations operations, including expense reporting and departmental invoices.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 3 years minimum working in a Development office in this or a similar role.
- Experience in a higher education development or advancement setting.
- Demonstrated competency in Raiser's Edge NXT. A strong understanding of Database View is required.
- Strong written communication and editing skills, including donor communications and internal reporting materials.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to provide responsive, high-quality internal and external customer service.
- Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and high attention to detail.
- Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities while contributing to problem-solving.
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Location: 119 W. 31st Street, New York, NY 10001
Pay Range:
$65,000 - $72,000
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Research Foundation of the City University of New York is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities Act/E-Verify Employer. It is the policy of the Research Foundation of CUNY to provide equal employment opportunities free of discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record, criminal conviction history, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
About Us
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.
