Data Manager

Who are we?Malala Fund is working for a world where all girls can learn and lead. Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education, invests in local education leaders and amplifies the voices of girls fighting for change. Learn more at malala.org.What does this team do?The Development Team raises funds, builds partnerships, and keeps supporters engaged so Malala Fund can advance girls’ education worldwide.What does this position do?The Data Manager is Malala Fund’s lead backend data systems owner, responsible for maintaining and evolving the organization’s core data infrastructure. This includes database architecture, ETL pipelines, and integrations across 100+ platforms that support fundraising, finance, and organizational operations. It includes not only maintaining existing data pipelines, while also re-architecting and rewriting data pipelines, scripts, and integration logic over time to enhance scalability, reliability, and long-term sustainability.This work directly supports Malala Fund’s global fundraising operations, enabling accurate revenue tracking, forecasting, and donor insights across a diversified, multi-entity portfolio. This role translates complex data into actionable insights, build dashboards, and support revenue forecasting and performance analysis. This is a highly technical role requiring strong backend data engineering skills (e.g., SQL, Python, ETL pipelines, and data modeling), combined with the ability to operate as a translator between technical systems and business stakeholders.This role operates within a complex, multi-system data environment, including Salesforce (Nonprofit Success Pack, Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud Growth, and Data Cloud), Tableau, and a wide range of third-party donation platforms and payment processors (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, Shift4, Benevity, Give Lively, Donorbox), requiring strong integration and data pipeline management capabilities.Salesforce is a key system within the organization’s ecosystem; however, this role is not a traditional CRM administrator. CRM governance and administration are expected to be supported through a separate role or vendor, with this position focused primarily on data infrastructure and analytics. This role operates in close partnership with CRM administrators, external vendors, and cross-functional teams, and is not expected to independently own all CRM, training, or systems management functions.Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackend Data Engineering & Systems Architecture (Primary Focus)Own and maintain database schema, data models, and the overall enterprise data architecture across systemsLead the assessment, refactoring, and modernization of legacy data pipelines, including undocumented or loosely structured scripts or logic Design, build, and maintain ETL pipelines, transform, and load data from 100+ fundraising, finance, and engagement platformsProactively monitor, troubleshoot and optimize data pipelines to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and reliabilityRe-architect and update data pipelines, scripts, and integration logic to improve scalability, reliability, and long-term maintainabilityManage integrations and data pipelines across CRM systems, marketing automation tools, payment processors, and fundraising platforms, using APIs, middleware (e.g., MuleSoft, Zapier), and automation tools to ensure seamless and reliable data flowImplement robust, automated data validation and integrity checks to ensure high-quality data across systemsDevelop and maintain documentation for data architecture, pipelines, and integrationsData Analysis & Business Intelligence (Secondary Focus)Build, and maintain dashboards and reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Salesforce) to support organizational decision-makingTranslate complex business questions into structured data queries and analytical outputsSupport revenue forecasting, performance tracking, and financial analysis through data modelingPartner cross-functionally with Development, Finance, and leadership teams to define KPIs and reporting frameworksDeliver insights that inform donor strategy, campaign performance, and executive-level decision-makingEnable self-service reporting where appropriate to reduce operational bottlenecksSupport data management and reporting across a global, multi-entity environment with multi-currency fundraising operationsSystems & CRM Coordination (Supporting Role)Support and enhance Salesforce data architecture and data flow across integrated systemsCollaborate with Salesforce administrators and external vendors (e.g., CodeZone, Cloud for Good) on system enhancements and integrationsEnsure data integrity and consistency between Salesforce and external platformsContribute to system optimization efforts as they relate to data pipelines and reportingData Governance & StewardshipServe as steward of organizational data, ensuring integrity, security, and ethical useEstablish, implement, and continuously improve data governance standards and best practicesPartner with IT and Operations on data privacy, security, and complianceMaintain clear and accessible documentation of data processes and systemsStrategic Data Advisory (Cross-Cutting Responsibility)Provide actionable, data-driven recommendations to Development, Finance, and leadership teamsSupport revenue forecasting and strategic planning through analytical insightsPartner with cross-functional stakeholders to identify opportunities for improved data use and decision-makingContribute to and help shape prioritization of data, reporting, and systems-related initiatives across the organizationSupport development of materials and analyses used for leadership and board-level reporting as neededCross-Functional CollaborationAct as a translator between technical systems and business stakeholdersCollaborate with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and deliver data solutionsSupport a culture of data-driven decision-making across the organizationWhat you bring to us and the role!RequiredBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field4–7+ years of experience in backend data development, data engineering, or database managementStrong proficiency in SQL and relational database designProven experience in designing, building, and maintaining ETL pipelines and data workflowsExperience with Python (or similar language) for data processing, automation, and pipeline development Strong understanding of data modeling, data architecture, and system integrationsExperience working with APIs and multi-platform data environmentsAbility to translate complex data into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholdersStrong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills with a focus on data quality and reliabilityPreferredExperience working across complex ecosystems including Salesforce (NPSP, Sales, Service, Marketing Cloud Growth, Data Cloud), Tableau, and integrated fundraising/payment platforms (e.g., Stripe, Give Lively, Donorbox)Experience working with Salesforce (NPSP or Nonprofit Cloud)Familiarity with fundraising or nonprofit data environmentsExperience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)Experience with integration tools (e.g., MuleSoft, Zapier)Exposure to analytics engineering tools (e.g., dbt, Snowflake, Databricks)Salesforce certifications (e.g., Platform Developer, Data Architecture)Cloud platform experience (AWS, GCP, Azure)Organizational CultureUpholds the values of Malala Fund.Actively contributes to making Malala Fund a diverse and equitable workplace through inclusive practice and openness to different perspectives, cultures and ideas.Maintains behavior and conduct that uphold the highest standards for safeguarding, professionally and personally.Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organization’ culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis position does not supervise any direct reports.Travel RequiredMinimal travel.__________________________________________________________________________________________________Malala Fund is an equal opportunity employer and inclusive organization who welcomes employees from under-represented and intersectional communities including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We seek people with diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, experiences and identities to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund.Malala Fund is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the safety and dignity of all of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organization, including staff, partners, grantees, and the communities in which we workMalala Fund has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, harassment, or discrimination of any kind by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from harm. To uphold this commitment, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.