Major Gifts Operations Manager

About National Speech & Debate Association

The Organization

The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is the preeminent organization in the United States supporting speech and debate programs in K-12 education. We are guided by the belief that civil dialogue based on evidence-informed argumentation, active listening, and effective communication is critical to a healthy and prosperous society. This is true now more than ever. Speech and debate also has tremendous academic benefits. Multiple studies and thousands of alumni share that participation helped them improve grades and test scores and matriculate to college at higher levels. 

Founded as a speech and debate honor society to provide national recognition for local participation, the NSDA now provides programs and services to connect, support, and inspire young people to reach their potential through speech and debate. The NSDA currently supports more than 100,000 students at over 4,000 schools by providing competitive standards and topics and essential training materials for teachers, students, and judges. These programs and services throughout the year support student paths towards National Tournament participation at the conclusion of the season. 

We are excited to work towards our goal of a speech and debate program in every middle and high school in the country. To that end, we have launched the National Speech and Debate Initiative, our bold vision to double the number of students and schools participating in speech and debate across the country.

The Opportunity

The Major Gifts Operations Manager will join a three-person Development Operations team that supports the National Speech & Debate Association's fundraising efforts.

This role combines prospect research, fundraiser support, and donor operations, with a strong emphasis on major gift fundraising. The Major Gifts Operations Manager will help identify and research prospective donors, prepare fundraising staff for donor meetings and outreach, and maintain the systems and information that support effective fundraising.

The Major Gifts Operations Manager will serve as the primary operations partner for frontline major gifts fundraisers, helping manage donor portfolios, prepare donor briefings, track stewardship activities, maintain CRM records, and support fundraising strategy.

The ideal candidate is organized, analytical, comfortable working with data and technology, and interested in using research and AI tools to identify opportunities and improve efficiency. Most importantly, they are excited about helping grow support for an organization that believes in the power of speech and debate to transform students' lives.

The Major Gifts Operations Manager reports to the Chief Advancement Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Prospect Research & Wealth Screening

• Conducts prospect research and wealth screening to identify major gift, planned giving, and leadership giving prospects.
• Creates relationship maps showing connections among donors, alumni, board members, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Uses research, data, and AI tools to identify new major gift donor opportunities and support fundraising strategy.

• Prepares donor briefings and meeting materials for fundraising staff and volunteer leaders.
• Tracks recognition, reporting, and stewardship activities and help ensure donors receive timely follow-up, recognition, and reporting.
• Maintains donor information and engagement history in the CRM to support effective cultivation and solicitation.

• Serves as the primary operations partner for assigned frontline fundraisers.
• Helps manage donor portfolios, meeting preparation, follow-up activities, and fundraising priorities.
• Provides calendar coordination, CRM support, donor research, and email and other administrative support to help fundraisers stay focused on donor relationships.
• Assist with moves management by tracking donor activity and next steps.

Basic Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in fundraising, prospect research, development operations, donor relations, or a related field.
• Experience conducting prospect research, wealth screening, relationship mapping, or donor analytics.
• Experience using CRM systems and managing donor data.
• Strong writing, organization, and project management skills.
• Comfort using AI and technology tools to support research, donor engagement, and fundraising operations.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Based in the United States and willing to travel up to 10%, including to the National Speech and Debate Tournament each June.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience supporting major gift officers or major gift fundraising programs.
• Familiarity with speech and debate or passion for the NSDA mission.

Pay and Benefits

• $72,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including high-quality health and dental insurance, 20 days of paid time off, and access to an employer-matched retirement plan. This is a full-time exempt position.