Associate Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives (Development Operations Director, I)

Position Description 

RAND has an exciting opportunity for a development professional who is looking to use their expertise in a highly collaborative and mission-driven organization. This position, Associate Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives, will contribute to the organization's fundraising objectives by strategically managing aspects related to philanthropic cohort engagement and associated programming. It will also have a dotted line to stewardship activities, including preparing endowments reports. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives, this role will serve as a bridge between fundraising and operations, developing both external and internal relationships while providing strategic oversight of board meeting logistics, communications, and documentation. The successful candidate will advance key donor cohort relationships and contribute to achieving the department's philanthropic objectives through exceptional project management and stakeholder engagement. 

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

•  Assisting with project management for engagement activities with key donor cohorts, including philanthropic advisory boards, developing timelines and managing deliverables including invitations, research coordination, presentations, and print materials. 

• Supporting the coordination of comprehensive program materials, logistics, and leadership briefings to ensure seamless donor experiences and stakeholder preparedness. 

• Partnering with the Executive Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives and Executive Managers to develop and maintain funding relationships by cultivating goodwill through a consistently positive, proactive, and accountable management relations process. 

• Assisting with key communications and written materials to aid in Development's efforts, including support of impact reporting, such as managing the endowment reporting process in partnership with the Senior Director of Stewardship. 

• Facilitating the design and delivery of onboarding materials for new board members and internal staff supporting board operations. 

• Assisting with managing and analyzing prospect and donor engagement data, preparing regular reports on key performance indicators, and recommending data-driven improvements to strategy. 

• In partnership with Executive Managers, assisting in developing, documenting, and continuously improving standard operating procedures (SOPs) for donor cohort management, donor stewardship, and event logistics. 

• Supporting project-related work of Development Coordinators assisting in donor and cohort activities. 

• Supporting the maintenance and implementation of technology solutions to support board operations, donor management, and event planning, including applications such as Asana, Salesforce, Workday, and internal programs. 

• Collaborating with internal colleagues across the organization to effectively communicate the impact of philanthropic funding to donors and grantors while serving as a liaison for cross-divisional projects. 

Qualifications 

 Required: 

• Previous experience in the fundraising or non-profit sector; 

• Demonstrated event planning and project management experience that demonstrates attention to details, an ability to plan, organize and work on multiple projects; 

• Demonstrated experience interacting with donors, advisors, and other key external stakeholders 

• Demonstrated experience analyzing data and providing data-backed recommendations;  

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills with a proven track records of the ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with donors and staff  and collaboration effectively across varying stakeholders; 

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and decision making skills, ability to meet deadlines under general guidance and supervision in a dynamic and ever-changing environment, resourcefulness, curiosity, openness to learning and flexibility; 

• Ability and eagerness to quickly learn new software and systems; 

• Ability to work evenings and weekends for events; 

• Ability to travel regularly, approximately 15-20% 

Preferred:  

• Experience using a CRM or donor database  

Education 

Bachelor's degree required.  

Experience 

A minimum of 1-2 years of relevant experience required.

Location

This position will be in the RAND Santa Monica office location with an option to work fully onsite or hybrid 2-3 days per week.

Salary Range: $64,400 - $96,100 

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.   

Application Review Date

March 30th, 2026