Development Operations Associate

Title: Development Operations Associate

Employment Status: Full-time

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: None

Compensation: $63,000 starting salary, plus eligibility for monthly bonuses

 

Job Summary: The Development Operations Associate provides essential operational, research, and administrative support to Public News Service’s membership and development teams. This role focuses on strengthening systems that support new member cultivation and membership renewals, without directly soliciting funds or managing donor relationships independently.

 

The Development Operations Associate plays a key behind-the-scenes role by conducting prospect research, managing schedules and calendars, maintaining data accuracy across systems, and supporting follow-up and communications workflows. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, highly organized, and interested in national newsroom operations.

 

This position is part of the Public News Service bargaining unit, represented by the Minnesota Newspaper & Communications Guild TNG-CWA Local 37002.

 

Key Responsibilities

Development & Membership Support

Conduct prospect and organizational research as directed by development and membership staff
Prepare background materials and research briefs to support cultivation and renewal efforts
Assist with tracking member engagement activities (meetings, calls, emails, renewals)

Database & Systems Management

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in donor/membership databases, including:
Contact information
Conversation and interaction notes
Task reminders and follow-ups
Engagement history

Enter and update data related to membership, development, and outreach activities
Assist with data cleanup projects, missing data research, and quality control checks
Generate internal lists, reports, or summaries as requested

Calendar, Scheduling & Workflow Support

Coordinate calendars and schedules for development and membership staff, including:
Conversations, whether zoom, phone, or otherwise
Follow-ups
Internal reminders

Set up meetings or “conversations” with donors, members, and prospects as directed, and respond to inquiries and other correspondence on behalf of development and membership staff
Support follow-up workflows by preparing and sending reminders, task lists, or status updates

Communications & Administrative Support

Assist with preparation of non-solicitation communications such as:
Meeting confirmations
Thank-you or follow-up emails drafted by senior staff
Internal coordination messages

Help track timelines related to memberships, grants, and donor engagement
Support ongoing documentation of development and membership processes

Collaboration & General Support

Work closely with development, membership, and operations staff to ensure smooth coordination
Assist with maintaining internal metrics and documentation related to development activities
Participate in cross-team projects related to outreach, research, or data management
Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

At least 2 years of experience in administrative support, database management, prospect research, or development operations

Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy

Experience working with databases, CRMs, or similar systems

Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and workflows simultaneously

Comfort working with a fully remote team

Clear written communication skills

High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in a membership-based organization or in sales or development operations

Familiarity with donor research tools, public records, or databases

Experience supporting development or membership operations without direct solicitation

Comfort coordinating calendars, schedules, and correspondence across multiple staff members

Familiarity with public interest journalism or mission-driven organizations

 

Who We Are

Public News Service (PNS) is a public interest newswire with a national reach, delivering credible, independent reporting through thousands of media outlets. We are committed to supporting strong local journalism and serving diverse communities through accessible, high-quality news.

 

PNS is deeply committed to fostering a transparently inclusive workplace environment. People of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

apply to this job