Description

General Function
 

The Executive Director of Advancement Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the college’s Office of Institutional Advancement, ensuring the infrastructure, systems, data integrity, donor experience, and compliance necessary to support ambitious fundraising goals. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, this role serves as a senior partner to Advancement leadership, translating institutional priorities and campaign goals into effective advancement operations, analytics, stewardship, and prospect strategy.

The Executive Director leads a multi-functional team responsible for advancement systems, prospect research and management, donor relations and stewardship, data governance, reporting, and compliance. As a member of the Advancement leadership team, the Executive Director contributes to long-term fundraising strategy, organizational planning, and continuous improvement aligned with CASE standards and ethical fundraising best practices.

 
Duties and Responsibilities
 

Strategic Leadership & Advancement Operations

1. Provides enterprise-level leadership for Advancement Operations, designing and executing strategies that support annual, major, principal, planned giving, and campaign initiatives.

2. Partners with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Advancement leadership to align systems, data, analytics, and donor experience with institutional fundraising goals and long-term growth.

3. Serves as a strategic advisor to Advancement leadership on matters related to prospect strategy, pipeline health, performance metrics, staffing models, and operational readiness.

4. Anticipates and proactively addresses operational, compliance, and data-related risks affecting the advancement enterprise.

Prospect Management, Research & Analytics

1. Oversees a comprehensive prospect management and research program, ensuring effective identification, qualification, segmentation, and movement of prospects through the fundraising pipeline.

2. Partners with fundraising leadership to develop and monitor portfolio standards, moves management expectations, and prospect assignment protocols.

3. Leads the development of dashboards, performance metrics, and predictive analytics that inform strategy, resource allocation, and decision-making.

4. Ensures prospect research practices align with ethical standards, privacy expectations, and institutional policies.

Advancement Systems, Data Integrity & Compliance

1. Provides strategic oversight of the college’s advancement CRM and related systems (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge), ensuring data integrity, system optimization, and user adoption.

2. Establishes and enforces data governance, gift processing standards, documentation protocols, and reporting frameworks aligned with CASE Global Reporting Standards.

3. Oversees gift acceptance, recording, acknowledgment, and reporting processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a positive donor experience.

4. Leads system upgrades, integrations, process improvements, and technology planning in collaboration with IT and campus partners.

Stewardship & Donor Relations

1. Sets the vision and standards for donor stewardship and recognition, ensuring donors experience meaningful, timely, and mission-centered engagement.

2. Oversees stewardship matrix, acknowledgments, impact reporting, and stewardship communications aligned with philanthropic best practices.

3. Partners with fundraisers and leadership to ensure stewardship strategies reinforce long-term donor relationships and philanthropic investment.

People Leadership & Team Development

1. Leads, mentors, and evaluates a diverse Advancement Operations team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning.

2. Establishes clear expectations, performance metrics, and professional development pathways for direct reports and their teams.

3. Builds cross-functional partnerships between Advancement Operations and front-line fundraising staff to strengthen alignment and effectiveness.

4. Models and promotes ethical leadership consistent with CASE and AFP standards and the college’s values.

Policy, Ethics & Governance

1. Ensures Advancement Operations policies and practices reflect ethical fundraising principles, donor intent, and institutional accountability.

2. Serves as an internal resource on advancement compliance, reporting standards, and donor data stewardship.

3. Supports audits, benchmarking, and external reporting requirements related to Advancement activities.

4. Demonstrated commitment to ethical fundraising practices consistent with AFP Code of Ethical Standards and CASE Global Reporting Standards.

 
Additional Information
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Worker Characteristics:

Strategic, systems-oriented thinker with the ability to translate vision into executable operations.

Strong leadership presence with a collaborative, diplomatic, and solutions-oriented approach.

Exceptional analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Ability to communicate complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in advancement operations and leadership practices.

High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential information.

Working Conditions:

Typical office environment; infrequently lifting and carrying items up to 10 lbs.; infrequently twisting or bending at the waist or reaching overhead; infrequently traveling between buildings on campus, to other campuses, locally or out-of-town to attend meetings and conferences; frequently listening to and talking with executives, or staff members either in person or by telephone; frequently sitting at a desk or workstation using a computer display, keyboard, and mouse.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements and Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Seven (7) or more years of progressive advancement experience, with significant responsibility in advancement services, development operations, or a closely related function within higher education or a complex nonprofit organization.

3+ years managing and developing teams, overseeing complex workflows, and leading organizational change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree.

Experience supporting or leading advancement operations during a comprehensive campaign.

Advanced knowledge of fundraising CRMs and analytics tools (preference for Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge).

CFRE credential or other relevant professional certification.

Experience working in a college or university advancement environment with multiple fundraising constituencies.

Demonstrated experience leading advancement systems, prospect management, reporting, stewardship, and compliance functions.