Senior Associate, Strategic Services

About the role

The Senior Associate, Strategic Services provides operational support to Aperio's Strategic Services team, focusing on three key areas: project management & operations, queue management, and data and analytics and research services. Strategic Services is responsible for developing and implementing Aperio's core 'products' (services to nonprofit organizations), approaches (ways of delivering those services), resources (tools and templates), and standards (quality levels/controls). The Senior Associate ensures these elements are seamlessly integrated into the Client Services team's workflows, enabling high-quality deliverables and exceptional client experiences.

In partnership with the Senior VP, Strategic Services, the Senior Associate manages the infrastructure that supports Strategic Services, including the Resource Library, product innovation, and client-facing tools. They act as a liaison between the Client Services team and Aperio's Expert Network, ensuring project queues are effectively managed, communication is clear, and deliverables are completed on time. The role also includes leading data-driven initiatives, such as wealth screenings, segmentation analyses, and customized prospect research, transforming complex data into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making. As a vital member of the team, the Senior Associate brings a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, exceptional organizational skills, and a collaborative approach to enhancing operational efficiency and delivering high-quality results in alignment with Aperio's vision and mission.

Project management & operations:

The Senior Associate serves as the lead project manager for the Strategic Services team, providing proactive and strategic operational support.

• Design, implement, document, and continually refine project management and organizational systems for strategic services
• Manage 'up, down, and out' to coordinate the activities of diverse internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely progress on projects
• Track major deliverables across Aperio's client portfolio, maintaining up-to-date information about upcoming due dates and potential resource needs
• Triage and assign inquiries from team inboxes (e.g., info@ and helpme@), maintaining efficient communication workflows; ensure that all requests are fulfilled in a timely manner
• Manage Strategic Services project plans and next steps in Asana; proactively drive and support progress on timely completion
• Provide direct organizational and project support to the Senior VP on special capacity-building initiatives, such as: implementing AI, client feedback surveys, product development, and development of resources for Aperio's 'resource library'
• Provide general operational support to management of client services, such as data collection, reporting & analysis, planning call topics/agendas, and creating resources for the team
• Support special projects, including vendor relations, communication drafting (e.g., emails, memos), and administrative tasks
  
  

Queue management:

The Senior Associate ensures timely, quality fulfillment of all 'shared services'—deliverables created by subject-matter experts—provided to the Client Services team to support their fulfillment of services to clients.

• Oversee and manage Asana queues for client deliverables across writing, design, data & analytics, research, and DevOps support
• Ensure deliverables are of high quality, aligned with client expectations, and delivered on time
• Prioritize, assign, coordinate, and monitor the completion of tasks to meet deadlines and ensure efficient workflow
• Act as a liaison between requestors on the Client Services team and subject-matter experts working on deliverables (usually one of Aperio's Expert Network members or a team member), facilitating communication and resolving questions to ensure timely, quality deliverables
• Provide ongoing updates to stakeholders on queue progress and status, promoting transparency and collaboration
• Deliver exceptional customer service to Expert Network members, ensuring they are well-supported in their partnerships with the Client Services team
  
  

Data & analytics and research services:

The Senior Associate serves as Aperio's subject-matter expert on data screening and segmentation, leading fulfillment of data & analytics and prospect research requests—either directly or with support from additional subject-matter experts.

• Partner with the Senior VP to develop, implement, document, and continually enhance service offerings, methodologies, and processes for data & analytics and prospect research
• Collaborate with subject-matter experts to automate and streamline data & analytics services
• Personally fulfill all standard data screening and segmentation requests, collaborating with the Senior VP, the requesting Client Services team, and vendors
• Support Client Services team in understanding and applying insights from analyses and provide clear next steps for portfolio creation and fundraising growth strategy development
• Serve as Aperio's subject-matter expert on prospect research, maintaining working knowledge of industry standards, best practices, ethics, tools, methodologies, etc.; develop resources for Aperio's 'resource library'
• Coordinate fulfillment of all customized prospect research, including briefings, qualification snapshots, new donor lists, and tailored research projects
• Contribute to fulfillment of customized prospect research as needed
• Maintain software and subscriptions required for prospect research, ensuring tools are current and operational
  
  

Other responsibilities:

• Deliver high-quality, timely, and relevant support to both Client Services and the Strategic Services team, prioritizing exceptional service and innovation
• Approach all interactions with clients, team members, and our community with curiosity, seizing each opportunity to learn about nonprofits, philanthropy, fundraising, and consulting
• Maintain a strong understanding of Aperio's vision, services, fundraising model, and client needs to provide tailored operational support
• Serve as a subject-matter expert on contents of the 'resource library', directing team members to the most relevant resources and proactively developing strategies to address challenges
• Perform other related duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

• 3 years of work experience; experience in fundraising and/or project management preferred
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities, with advanced Microsoft Excel experience preferred
• Operationally minded, exceptional detail orientation, and consistent follow-through
• Strong relationship management, interpersonal, collaboration, and communication (written and oral) skills
• Ability to work well with all levels of staff, management, vendors, etc.
• Ability to 'manage up' and ask the right questions of leadership
• Adept at designing 'fool-proof' systems and processes
• Proactive in identifying opportunities to streamline operations and improve processes through effective communication and teamwork
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects to successful outcomes
• Self-starter with ability to complete tasks with minimal direction and supervision
• Eagerness to learn new knowledge and skills
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability
• Proficient in Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook
  
  

Location

This role is currently a fully remote role. In the future, Aperio may have an office in major cities that our team members are welcome to use. Periodic travel and in-person meeting requirements.

To facilitate work-from-home, Aperio provides essential technology equipment and a monthly mobile phone reimbursement of $75 per month.

Compensation

Aperio is pleased to offer competitive compensation and benefits, as well as accelerated career development opportunities.

Base compensation for this role is $65,000 - $75,000 commensurate with experience in executive assistance and operations. Bonus and promotion opportunities available.

Benefits include:

• Flexible scheduling
• Paid time off (PTO) starting at 4 weeks per year, which includes 10 days of sick time and 10 days of vacation time
• 10-18 holidays per year, including closure over the year-end holidays
• Summer Fridays observed between the Friday before Memorial Day and the Friday before Labor Day
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K with company matching of 100% of employee contributions up to the first 3% of pay