Careers

Donor Database and Operations Senior Manager

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K–12 education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. Since its founding in 1994, GLI has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes worldwide. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, GLI brings every period of American history to life. Diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises more than 14 million students and 97,000 educators from more than 36,000 schools worldwide. 

The Role

Are you passionate about using systems, data, and operations to drive positive change? Do you thrive on building efficient processes that strengthen fundraising and marketing strategy and execution?

We are currently seeking a Donor Database and Operations Senior Manager, who will report to the Director of Development. The newly created position will be joining GLI at a dynamic time as we continue to enhance our nonpartisan K–12 and public programming in response to the urgent needs of the moment. We are looking for a “development operations wiz” who can lead the use of Salesforce by the development team. In particular, the Senior Manager will establish new fundraising systems and processes to help our team to achieve the next level of revenue growth and deepen donor engagement. This position will benefit from working closely with GLI’s technology team, which oversees organizational uses of Salesforce beyond its fundraising functions, and with GLI’s marketing team.

The Senior Manager will support fundraising activity by leading the optimization and execution of operations systems, database management and reporting, data analysis, and prospect research. They will be an integral member of GLI’s Development team, with influence on overall fundraising strategy and room for growth in the future.

This role is responsible for managing and enhancing the Development team’s use of Salesforce, ensuring high-quality data and reporting, overseeing gift processing, streamlining operational workflows, and partnering with colleagues to strengthen revenue growth strategies. The position also plays a key role in general systems and back-end support for fundraising activity. This will include managing data and key performance indicators (KPIs), and developing calendars to ensure alignment, accountability, and efficiency across the team. The ideal candidate will be a skilled, detail-oriented database manager and operations generalist with a strong background in fundraising.

This role will be based in New York City and currently requires working in person at least one day per week in GLI’s midtown office.

Responsibilities

The Donor Database and Operations Senior Manager will lead all data analysis, reporting, and database management for the Development team, assisting other functions as needed.

Data Analysis and Reporting to Drive Revenue Growth (30%) 

• Leverage data within Salesforce to recommend prospect and donor engagement strategies and to guide the moves management pipeline for both the President and the Development team
• Partner with senior Development staff to create a comprehensive reporting dashboard in Salesforce and develop team KPIs
• Use data to track revenue, goals, and metrics, and identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for growth and improved donor stewardship
• Analyze and strengthen current Salesforce processes for projecting annual revenue targets, including methodologies for setting, managing, and tracking opportunity targets for annual, major, lapsed, active, and prospective donors
• Generate regular and ad hoc reports for the Development and C-Suite teams, including metrics on donor retention and acquisition, and progress toward annual revenue targets
• Segment donor lists for targeted digital communications, appeals, and stewardship efforts in order to tap into donor behavior patterns and increase donor engagement and contributions 
• Analyze data and results of campaigns, working closely with the marketing team 

Development Operations and Gift Processing (30%)

• Oversee gift processing and production of acknowledgment letters, supported by junior staff and/or interns
• Partner with the Development team’s Events Coordinator to implement systems for managing event invitations, attendance, and follow-up
• Develop and manage fundraising calendars and project management systems to coordinate cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and reporting cycles across the team
• Support operational efficiency by developing systems, policies, and workflows that enhance the Development team’s performance, including the use of other software systems such as Asana
• Collaborate with the Finance Department to ensure alignment across revenue tracking, reporting, and reconciliation processes

Database Management and Maintenance (30%)

• Manage and maintain donor records in the Salesforce CRM, ensuring accurate data entry
• Conduct regular audits to maintain data integrity, including cleansing, de-duplicating, and updating contact information
• Train current and onboard future staff members on database tools and processes
• Partner with GLI’s Technology team to troubleshoot issues, enhance functionality, and maximize Salesforce capabilities across the Development office

Prospect Research Oversight (10%)

• Provide oversight of individual and institutional prospect research activities to support pipeline development
• Coordinate with staff, interns, or consultants on research assignments and data entry
• Deliver occasional research briefings or updates to inform donor engagement planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm for leveraging data and research to amplify impact
• Progressive experience in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization with a focus on donor data management and engagement; understanding of fundraising principles and practices
• Expertise in Salesforce CRM, specifically as used to support fundraising (Nonprofit Success Package preferred) Salesforce Administrator Certification is preferred, or a willingness to pursue this certification in the future 
• Outstanding project, time management, and problem-solving skills with a strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to drive projects forward independently 
• Strong analytical skills with experience in data management, reporting, and trend analysis
• Team-oriented with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong Excel and technical skills 

Compensation

Compensation range: $64,750–$82,400 annually, commensurate with the candidate’s experience.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) and FSA plans, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 25 to January 1. GLI also offers a comprehensive flex time and comp time policy. 

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “Donor Database and Operations Senior Manager” in the subject line of your email, and also let us know how you heard about the role. In your cover letter, describe any relevant experience with the Salesforce Nonprofit Success Package.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, height, weight, or any other legally protected status. Research indicates that women and people from underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, GLI encourages you to apply. 

Contact Information

hr@gilderlehrman.org

Program Coordinator, Educational Programs Department

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K–12 education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. Since its founding in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes around the globe. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, the Institute brings every period of American history to life. The Institute’s diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises fourteen million students and 97,000 teachers from more than 37,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

GLI is seeking a Program Coordinator to manage the implementation of professional development and history education projects that support teachers and students. These projects may range from one-day professional development workshops serving teachers in a specific school district to multiyear grant-funded programs serving schools nationwide. Many of these projects focus on teacher professional development as well as the creation of educational resources such as lesson plans or video series. The Program Coordinator will oversee the planning and implementation of such projects to ensure that they meet teacher and student needs and represent the high standards of the Gilder Lehrman Institute. This will involve collaborating closely within and across departments while working with teachers, scholars, external partners, and funders about project content and deliverables. The Program Coordinator may also be asked to contribute to other projects within the Educational Programs Department.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, have outstanding project management and communication skills (verbal and written), and be flexible. A background in American history and/or K–12 education is not required but is preferred. This role reports to an Assistant Director of Programs and is based in New York City. The position is currently hybrid, with one to two days in the office and three to four days working remotely.

Position Overview

Program and Events Management (85%)

• Create and manage project plans and communicate these plans internally and externally
• Manage session logistics, which may include (but are not limited to) moderating online sessions, preparing printed materials for in-person sessions, and being onsite for in-person programs for support as needed
• Communicate with scholars, teacher consultants, external partners, school representatives, and school districts about the project content and logistics
• Participate in shaping the content of a project, such as selecting materials or lesson plans, with support from Educational Programs Department leadership
• Work with GLI staff and contractors to ensure that project deadlines are met within budget constraints, and communicate project changes as needed
• Manage budgets and track expenses
• Evaluate projects, including data collection, tracking, and reflecting on areas for improvement

Content Review of Educational Materials (10%)

• Work with contractors and Editorial staff to ensure that all project deliverables are completed on time and meet GLI standards
• Secure permissions and rights from external parties for text and images used in educational deliverables (lesson plan units, slide decks, and other materials)
• Work closely with the Director of Curriculum Development and Instructional Design and the Editorial staff to ensure that all information is recorded correctly into GLI’s internal database
• Coordinate with the Assistant Curator to document educational resources in our Collection Management System
• Departmental Operations (5%)
  Contribute to organizational processes to help streamline and improve our work 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in history, education, or a related field
• Excellent writing ability
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Experience working well under pressure, meeting deadlines, and developing short- and long-term strategies to meet objectives
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Previous experience with databases preferred; experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Experience with project management programs like Asana is a plus
• Some evening and weekend work  
• Occasional travel may be required (no more than 10% of time)

Other Desired Qualifications

• Commitment to GLI’s mission and enthusiasm about communicating the mission to external audiences
• Experience managing non-profit educational programs and working with K–12 teachers and students
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment that involves juggling multiple projects at once and being detail-oriented about each task
• Strong relationship management skills and an intuitive understanding of how to handle sensitive communications with care
• Team-oriented disposition with a desire to participate in creating a strong team culture

Compensation

Compensation range: $53,000–$61,800 annually; compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience and other qualifications. Candidates with significant professional experience will be considered for the position as a Program Manager with compensation up to $72,100 annually.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) employer contribution, Flexible Spending Account plans, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 25 to January 1. The Gilder Lehrman Institute also offers generous tuition reimbursement for courses taken in the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History program. Staff members who complete the MA degree are eligible for complete tuition reimbursement.

To Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume in a single file to hr@gilderlehrman.org. Please include “Program Coordinator” in the subject line of your email and let us know how you heard about the role.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, sex, gender identity, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, height, weight, or any other legally protected status. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, GLI encourages you to apply.

Please note that while careful consideration will be given to each submission, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will only contact applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience best meet the position’s requirements.

Internship Program

The Gilder Lehrman Institute supports two internship cycles each year: academic-year internships and summer internships. While most internships are for college students, there may also be internships for high school and graduate school students. Internships are generally available in a variety of departments, including accounting, curatorial, development, digital, education, and marketing.

Learn more about our Internship Program.