Database Manager, PEN America

PEN Jobs

PEN America, a growing nonprofit that stands at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a database manager to support the data needs of our expanding organization. This new position will work across PEN America to maximize our use of data for fundraising, communications, membership, programming, advocacy, and other initiatives. The database manager will develop and monitor policies and procedures, advance our processes, deliver reports and analyses drawn from our data, and support colleagues in their understanding and use of our database. This is a full-time position based at PEN America’s New York City headquarters and reports to the chief operating officer.

PEN America has recently transitioned to Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT, and the database manager will move this process forward. The position will also involve integrating other data-related systems in use, including Join It, DonorBox, and Mailchimp. The role will be responsible for ensuring and maintaining data integrity and accuracy, creating best practice manuals and workflows, and actively monitoring data actions to ensure these policies are used. The database manager will work with staff across the organization on training and database uptake; the creation of queries, reports, exports, and dashboards; and ensuring more broadly that the database serves all departments and functions.

The position provides substantial opportunity for a motivated professional to shape PEN America’s successful use of Raiser’s Edge and data, with a direct impact on our ability to implement programs, raise funds, bring audiences to our events, and advance our mission overall. There is potential to expand the role to include organizational learning and decision-making, monitoring of impact, and other initiatives as the organization grows and evolves.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the Raiser’s Edge NXT database to maintain accurate and comprehensive data, and optimize its usage
• Create and document protocols and procedures for best database practices
• Work with department heads and team leaders to meet their data needs
• Create user profiles and securities, deliver or organize access to training, and engage staff across the organization in database use
• Serve as the primary technical liaison with Blackbaud
• Identify, track, and report on key metrics as requested, and create customized database reports and dashboards for departmental use
• Generate reports, exports, mailing lists, email lists, donor lists, and custom queries
• Proactively lead regular database hygiene and maintenance efforts, including duplicate management, research and updates of specific datasets, periodic audits, etc.
• Identify and address both the opportunities and challenges of robust database use, proposing new and improved applications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least two to four years of professional experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/Raiser’s Edge NXT, preferably in a database administration role (transferable expertise will be considered)
• Raiser’s Edge Fundamentals Certification, Raiser’s Edge Professional Certification, and Raiser’s Edge NXT Fundamentals Certification from Blackbaud University preferred; experience with O-Matic tools, Mailchimp, DonorBox, Join It, and other vehicles also valued
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively with multiple teams within the organization and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capacity with the ability to spot issues within data and systems and proactively fix them or identify possible solutions
• Ability to manage tasks independently, while balancing competing priorities between immediate needs and long-term projects
• Desire to create a new role and make it central to the organization, and to develop professionally in that role
• Commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture

Salary and Benefits: PEN America offers competitive compensation and a full range of benefits.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references. Submit the entire application to jobs@pen.org. One PDF is preferred. Please use “Database Manager” and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Database Manager – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

No phone calls, please.

ABOUT PEN AMERICA:

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.