Ops Insights #060 - CEO & CDO’s Strategy for Dev Services Leader
February 28, 2025 | Read Time: 2 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop
As a CEO or CDO, you don’t want your 3 am thoughts to be about your concerns with the quality of your data or database. Nor do you want to stress about your staff not getting what they need to be effective or worry about broken operational processes slowing things down.
The data, database, and operational processes should not be a pain point.
➡ You want data that is right.
➡ You want a database that is clean.
➡ You want operational processes that allows you to be a proactive leader.
You want a smooth, well-run area where you and your team can have trust and confidence in what you are investing in, seeing, and using every day.
To get here, the key is understanding the area and making sure you have the right person in place to lead the area. This area is called Development Services, also known as Philanthropy Operations or Advancement Services.
In today’s landscape, a dedicated Development Services Leader will drive higher results:
Set the high-level strategy and implement a strategic plan along with yearly targets.
Ensure day-to-day activities are optimized and align with frontline strategies.
Grow and nurture the team’s skills.
Build and nurture relationships with cross-functional partners (internal and external).
Continually evaluate and look for ways to enhance operational support for each area.
Keep an eye on recent trends in the industry and available tech and innovative tools.
Maintain current best practices in Dev Services through industry resources, networking, research, and peer groups.
Take Action
Use these insights to assess what you have, figure out what you need, and take action.
➡ Assess what you have. If you have an existing leader in place, is that person fulfilling the bullets above?
➡ Figure out what you need. If not, can you bring in an expert and thought leader to provide coaching and mentoring to get that person to where you need them to be?
➡ Take action. The quicker you have a smooth, well-run area, the more effective your fundraising efforts will be, and the quicker your fundraising results will grow.
You’ve got this!
👋 See you next time,
Jenny
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