Development Operations Manager

Development Operations Manager

Organization: Theatre Development Fund (TDF)

Website: www.tdf.org

Location: New York, NY

Position Type: Full Time Permanent

About Theatre Development Fund

Theatre Development Fund, Inc. (“TDF”), is dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with everyone. As one of the only arts service organizations whose membership is the audience, our mission is to remove the financial, physical, and invisible barriers to access to the performing arts. Our vision will be complete when every New Yorker (and visitor to NYC) feels ownership of and belonging in the live performing arts.

With an annual operating budget of $20,000,000, TDF fulfills its mission through two key areas of work: affordable tickets fulfilled by its iconic TKTS Discount Ticket Booths and Membership program, and its kaleidoscope of programs enabling more than 60,000 audience members annually to see shows. These programs support audience members impacted by hearing loss and deafness, vision loss and blindness, mobility loss, or by intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as veterans, students, seniors, and over 150 community partners.

About the Position

The TDF Development Department is responsible for raising $5,000,000 annually from a mix of individual, foundation, government, and corporate donors via annual grassroots fundraising appeals, midlevel and major gifts, institutional grants, and fundraising events. In the last three years, this six-person team has increased contributed revenue by 60%, supporting new initiatives across TDF. Going forward, the Development Department will fuel the growth of TDF programs and support institutional change as TDF begins its next chapter.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Operations Manager runs the day-to-day operations of the development department, ensuring accurate data, actionable reporting, and efficient systems which support revenue growth. This role acts as the department superuser for our CRM, oversees donor relationship management and fundraising analytics, and provides operational support for individual giving and events. The Development Operations Manager works collaboratively with the Development team, associated vendors and consultants, and cross-departmental partners to ensure systems, processes, and information flow support organizational fundraising goals.

TDF is transitioning its Customer Relationship Management (CRM) from Tessitura to Salesforce, with a projected launch in spring 2026. This position will play a leading role in this transition on behalf of the Development Department.

Key responsibilities-

Database and Financial Management

• Manage daily operations of CRM including maintaining data integrity, gift processing and record maintenance (currently Tessitura; moving to Salesforce spring 2026).
• Generate standard and ad hoc fundraising reports: analyze donor and campaign performance to identify trends and support strategic decision making.
• Ensure high standards of data hygiene, accuracy, and consistency across development systems.
• Execute gift processing and donor acknowledgements.
• Manage web portals for matching gifts, corporate social responsibility platforms, and other donor infrastructure.
• Manage software infrastructure that supports fundraising activity, including donor research software (iWave) and event management software (currently Givesmart).

Manage the annual audit and quarterly revenue/expense reconciliations with Finance.

Moves Management, Prospecting & Stewardship:

• Track portfolio activity and moves management for frontline fundraisers, ensuring prospect leads are moving through the donor pipeline.
• Prepare donor lists for Playbills, TDF website, and other materials.
• Track ticket inventory and usage for donor stewardship.
• Use research screening and database management to generate prospect lead lists for midlevel and major gifts.
• Oversee department-wide inboxes, managing donor correspondence.

Annual Giving and Board Support

• Project manage seasonal grassroots appeals, working cross-departmentally on marketing strategies and preparing solicitation lists.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies to grow the size, diversity, and giving potential of the annual donor base.
• Schedule and attend meetings of the Development Committee, prepare materials and maintain records.
• Prepare annual invoices and pledge forms for Trustees; Track donations from Board contacts, keeping Board members apprised when gifts are received.

Events Support

• Manage volunteers for events and other volunteer opportunities.
• Program and oversee event ticketing software and sales.
• Day-of support for event registration and other logistics.

About you

• You have a love of the performing arts and a strong interest in making it accessible to all.
• You have 3+ years of experience in development support, operations, or administration.
• You are a collaborative administrator and creative problem solver with a passion for systems.
• You have an interest in how to engage stakeholders and interested parties through fundraising.
• You are detail oriented with strong project management skills.
• You have strong writing skills and are comfortable communicating graciously with donors in writing and in person.
• CRM and mass-email system experience required; Salesforce Non Profit Cloud/Marketing Cloud experience strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, permanent role, and the salary range is $65,000 - $75,000. In addition, TDF offers excellent benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Matching contributions to 403(b) retirement account
• Commuter benefits
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

TDF is a hybrid-onsite organization with a 35 hr/wk schedule, and staff are encouraged to be in the office three days per week. Donor events often take place at the theatre; evening and weekend work will occasionally be required.

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter and resume to Resumes@tdf.org. You may also use this email address should you have any accessibility concerns regarding this position.

Start Date: May 2026

TDF is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to diversity in all areas of our work, both in our programs and in our workplaces. We encourage applicants with a unique cultural perspective inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, class, physical ability and sexual orientation.

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Matching contributions to 403(b) retirement account
• Commuter benefits
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)