Manager, Development Information & Strategy

Location

Remote or Hybrid, preferably in the Eastern Standard Time zone

Duration

This is a 2-year fixed-term position, with full benefits and the possibility of extension

Overall Function

The Manager, Development Information and Strategy is responsible for leading cross‑functional efforts that make it easier for frontline fundraisers to find, use, and trust the resources they need. Partnering closely with Development Operations and IT, this role streamlines and advises on management of information platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Asana, Salesforce, and Slack), designs centralized solutions to meet the needs of partner-stakeholders, and drives training and change‑management to reinforce best practices. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Development Information & Strategy, the Manager helps to define team vision and owns the end‑to‑end delivery of selected projects aimed to improve operational efficiency and help EDF achieve its fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

• In partnership with Development Database Services, Development Finance, and IT, leads efforts to streamline and centralize access to departmental resources and information, providing systems expertise and an understanding of frontline fundraising needs.
  • Manages, optimizes, and advises on the strategy for organization of Development information and project management platforms (i.e., Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Asana).
  • Collaborates with the Database Services team to determine how and when to leverage Salesforce in solutioning and partners together on select projects.
  • Evaluates and leverages emerging technologies and AI capabilities to build centralized solutions to improve information access and usability.
  • Facilitates conversations with a cross-functional cohort of operations staff responsible for resource management to socialize and reinforce established best practices.
  • In collaboration with Database Services and partner-stakeholders, designs and leads trainings and develops supporting communications and guiding materials to ensure staff understand how to use platforms effectively.
  • Leads regular audits of information management platforms and resources (i.e., Development’s General Channel in Teams) to ensure information is up to date, accurate, and relevant.
• Plays a lead role in identifying pain points and needs across the department, and is responsible for end-to-end management and execution of selected projects aimed to address needs and improve operational efficiency.
  • Leads conversations with partner-stakeholders to uncover pain points and needs, including through the facilitation of a monthly check-in with frontline fundraising coordinators.
  • Partners with Development Operations leaders to develop ways to collect—and ways to centrally track and manage—partner-stakeholder requests, building greater transparency, trust, and collaboration across the Department and helping to ensure Development needs are met.
• Works closely with the Senior Manager of Development Information & Strategy, members of the team, and as appropriate with the Development Leadership Team, to prioritize stakeholder requests, considering impact and effort, to develop a project “roadmap” (along with a “parking lot” of future projects to consider) to be shared department-wide.
• Oversees solution design, strategic implementation, and change management for select projects, bringing expert-level project management skills to all aspects of executing solutions—developing timelines and project plans, consulting with partner-stakeholders to ensure alignment, managing deliverables and project scope, and creating opportunities to gather and respond to feedback to drive accountability.
• Manages, mentors, and supports staff as the Information and Strategy team grows.
• Partners with supervisor and team leadership as well as with other leaders on the broader Strategic Operations Team to set team vision and priorities, demonstrate impact, and promote team growth and engagement.
• Participates in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
• Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 6 years of relevant experience, preferably in a fundraising, nonprofit, or academic setting plus a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; a Master’s degree or equivalent may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated expertise managing and/or organizing information platforms and shared workspaces (Microsoft Teams, Asana, SharePoint, and Slack); familiarity with AI tools and emerging technologies is a plus.
• End-user experience with Salesforce.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and/or coaching team members.
• Experience developing project plans and implementing change management best practices; experience and comfort with project management software and databases.
• Strong communication (written and oral) and facilitation skills; able to translate technical and system topics into plain language for diverse audiences.
• Critical thinking skills and a demonstrated ability to both identify problems and develop effective solutions collaboratively.
• Comfort evaluating emerging technology and AI capabilities to simplify access to information and improve user experience.
• Demonstrated self-starter, detail oriented, and well-organized.
• Ability to set priorities, produce, and manage multiple high-priority projects to completion on tight deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.