Database Manager

Title: Database Manager
Department: Advancement
Reports to: Director of Advancement Services
Status: Full time, Exempt
Direct Reports: Two Data Processing Clerks

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Director of Advancement Services, the Database Manager performs primary responsibility for the oversight and coordination of the Raiser’s Edge (RE) database operations for GLAZA, and provides guidance and support for Acme, RE, and all automated processes. Working as a part of a database team, the Database Manager is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the RE database, performing ongoing reconciliation with the Finance Department, runs routine data imports and audits, builds reports and queries in the database, assists with end-user questions and training needs, customizes and configures the system to meet ongoing needs and providing analysis to support and further GLAZA’s mission.

Assumes primary responsibility for daily Raiser’s Edge database operations. Advises on and implements new system solutions. Provides support for Acme and RE users, oversees financial reconciliation, and provides reporting for all departments. Manages the data entry team and aids in the functions of an effective and integrated Prospect Management program for Advancement.

Essential Responsibilities

Database Manager Duties:

• Maintains and enhances the integrity and accuracy of all information in the RE database and ensures that best practices and standard protocols are followed.
• Conducts routine data imports, audits, and clean-up and serves as backup for certain data entry processes.
• Develops, maintains, and documents best practices and procedures associated with the RE platform.
• Trains staff on best practices, processes, and policies and provides instruction on how to navigate and utilize the database.
• Collaborates with staff to generate appeals lists and prepare reports. Creates, executes, validates, and distributes standard and customized lists and reports to fulfill the needs of various departments.
• Supports planning and data-driven decision-making by helping to transform data into meaningful reports, queries, dashboard panels, etc.
• Optimizes system configuration, utilization, and management.
• Ensures prospect research and management needs are met by way of database tools, mechanisms, and configurations.
• Assesses and learns other database tools (e.g., automations, third-party add-ons, etc.) as needed.
• Supervises data processing staff, as well as temporary and volunteer data workers.
• Creates procedures for all database functions. Maintains files of all procedures for the database as well as relevant non-database tasks. Trains data entry staff in all functions.
• Runs established queries and creates new queries and reports as requested. Trains staff in the use of queries/exports. Sets up merged templates/letters in Microsoft Word as requested.
• Runs regular reconciliation with the Volunteer database, Volgistics. Alerts Volunteer and Membership departments of Volunteers’ lapsed memberships.
• Reconciles all data from various Zoo events throughout the year, standardizing data before matching gift and biographical data with RE and updating system with biographical and transactional information.
• Regularly delivers large, segmented email blasts to Webmaster, making sure RE is aligned with MailChimp database. Cleans email information and marks inactive emails for exclusion from mailings. Regularly dedupes several large email lists according to a hierarchy.
• Performs general RE database maintenance, actively searching out and fixing inaccuracies. Repairs errors, tracks funds that must be redirected, updates records, and resolves duplicate record issues. Monitors scanned visits in RE.
• Regularly distributes reports to the Finance Department to ensure money and accounts are correctly reconciled.
• Uses Blackbaud support resources to resolve problems with Raiser’s Edge.

System Integration Duties:

• Actively participates in discussions of GLAZA’s technology future, researching databases and interviewing vendors.
• Oversees major integration of online Membership and Event data from Acme into Raiser’s Edge. Makes sure two systems are regularly aligned.
• Continues implementing the new Acme ticketing system, working towards the best customer experience. Trains staff in best practices for new Acme database; writes procedures for all Acme membership tasks; documents back-end Acme processes; works with Acme consultants to arrive at best solutions.
• Recommends programming enhancements for GLAZA systems as needed; works effectively with programmers and other outside software specialists.
• Works with Omatic vendor for more efficient reconciliation of outside data with donor database via ImportOmatic program. Is effective in other aspects of Omatic program and creates and modifies new profiles as needed. Trains extensively in Omatic processes.
• Integrates the MailChimp email database with RE, using automated processes to synchronize emails between two systems, including populating RE with valuable subscribe/unsubscribe, click through, and user preference data, creating a more efficient e-mail strategy/flow across departments.
•  Manages and manipulates large volumes of raw data; conversant with importing and exporting to and from diverse systems and mapping to their data structure; organizes and analyzes data using various tools.
• Uses archived development version of RE and Acme databases for testing of new processes.
• Regularly screens all addresses in database, administering regular NCOA screenings to ensure correct addressing and data matching.

Other:

• Performs other duties, as required.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, plus three years of experience in a similar data processing environment
• Experience using Raiser’s Edge/NXT
• Familiarity with ACME, ImportOmatic, and other RE plug-ins
• Understands and has experience with cloud-based databases such as Blackbaud’s RE NXT, online donations portal WeDidIt, and new Omatic Cloud service
• Understands underlying architecture of nonprofit CRMs and is able to translate data from one system to another Works with outside vendors to more seamlessly integrate online data
• Thorough knowledge of reporting functions, spreadsheets, and database applications
• Knowledge of the importance of standardization of data entry coding and procedures
• Knowledge of basic database management principles to enable error identification, tracking of redirected funds, and maintenance of system integrity
• Demonstrated ability to maintain/troubleshoot Raiser’s Edge Database and knowledge to answer system messages and manipulate job, user, print, and workstation queues
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects with minimal supervision and to utilize staff/volunteer skills and other resources to complete projects efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to reconcile computer-generated reports with cash, check, and charge data deposits and locate data entry errors
• Demonstrated ability to supervise data entry employees in maintaining productivity of database division
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative productive working relationships with GLAZA and Zoo staff, members, volunteers, donor prospects, and vendors
• Demonstrated ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods during the day
• Demonstrated ability to focus on a computer screen for extended periods during the day
• Required to work all GLAZA galas

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $70,000, depending upon experience and qualifications. GLAZA provides full-time employees with a full range of benefits, including medical, dental, can vision insurance; life and long-term disability insurance; an FSA plan; paid vacation and sick leave; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match and additional employer contributions based on longevity; 16 paid holidays per year; free parking; complimentary daytime passes to the Zoo and to L.A. Zoo Lights; and discounts on Zoo concessions and merchandise.

Position Requirements

For the protection of our staff, GLAZA requires all employees to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an on-site position, working at the L.A. Zoo.

To apply for this position:

Email your cover letter and resume to jobs-database@lazoo.org

Please include Database Manager in the subject line of your email.

Submissions without a cover letter will not be considered.

No phone calls or emails, please.