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.