Executive Director of Advancement Services

Job Summary

The Executive Director of Advancement Services is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of advancement service functions, including gift processing, database administration, reporting, analytics, data integrity, prospect research and management, and donor records. This role ensures that the institution’s advancement infrastructure is optimized to support fundraising, engagement, and stewardship goals. The Executive Director partners with senior leadership to align systems, data, and processes with institutional priorities, ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of development operations. Probability of some after-hours or weekends for various University or fundraising events.
 

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

• Provide strategic direction for all advancement service functions to support fundraising and engagement goals.
  
  
• Develop and implement long-term plans for database management, technology utilization, reporting capabilities, and prospect strategy.
  
  
• Serve as a senior advisor to advancement leadership on data infrastructure, operations, and performance metrics.

Gift Processing & Acknowledgment

• Supervise timely, accurate gift entry, validation, and receipting in coordination with finance and donor relations teams.
  
  
• Develop and document policies and procedures for gift acceptance, processing, reconciliation, and compliance.
  
  
• Maintain internal controls and audit procedures to ensure accuracy and regulatory adherence.

Prospect Management & Research

• Oversee the development and management of prospect research and tracking systems, ensuring accurate and actionable donor intelligence.
  
  
• Partner with frontline fundraisers to manage portfolios, prospect pipelines, and performance tracking.

Reporting & Analytics

• Lead the creation of dashboards, KPIs, and data visualizations that support strategic decision-making for advancement leadership.
  
  
• Develop and maintain a suite of standard and custom reports to support campaign tracking, donor analysis, and fundraising outcomes.

Staff Management & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of advancement services professionals, including gift processors, data analysts, and researchers.
  
  
• Foster a culture of service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  
  
• Assess team skills and lead professional development and training programs to enhance team capacity and knowledge.

Collaboration & Institutional Alignment

• Collaborate with finance, alumni relations, IT, and other campus partners to ensure alignment in processes, systems, and policies.
  
  
• Serve as the liaison between advancement and key technology or data vendors (e.g., CRM providers, wealth screening services).

Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  
  
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in advancement, data operations, or related fields within a nonprofit or higher education environment.
  
  
• Leadership and supervisory experience with proven ability to manage high-performing teams.
  
  
• May accept a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master's degree.
   
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce, Ellucian or any other data management tools.
  
  
• Higher education knowledge.
  
  

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Strategic expertise and creative leadership style.
  
  
• Utilize a variety of communication styles to achieve successful outcomes and negotiate agreements.
  
  
• Extensive knowledge of various fundraising, donor databases, prospect research, wealth screening tools, CRMs, donor data standards, gift processing, analytics and sourcing methodologies to effectively target potential contributors.
  
  
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with university personnel at all levels.  
  
  
• Respond flexibly and positively in all circumstances, working calmly under pressure.  
  
  
• Establish, nurture, and maintain productive relationships with internal and external audiences.
  
  
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues efficiently.
  
  
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and as a team member.
  
  
• Work autonomously to analyze and solve problems and make sound decisions.¿¿
  
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
  
  
• Successful track record working with boards, donors, the public, and staff.
  
  
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
  
  
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
  
  
• Proficiency in managing and reviewing documentation.
  
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information to an audience in an understandable manner. 
  
  
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to lead process improvements and system implementations.
  
  
• Ability to adapt to new technologies and software systems quickly.
  
  
• Decisive ability to articulate UT Tyler’s message and mission.
  
  
• Interact professionally with students, faculty, and university leadership.
  
  
• Demonstrated flexibility and initiative in a dynamic work environment.
  
  
• Ethical.
  
  
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
   

About The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 13 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges. 

Our beautiful Tyler campus features more than 200 acres nestled along a lake and surrounded by thick pine and oak forests, providing a picturesque location for study and recreation. We also offer instructional sites at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and in Palestine, Longview, and Houston.

With more than 80 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs offered, UT Tyler provides a wealth of learning opportunities and dynamic programs.

For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about/.

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. 

Required Application Materials

A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of the names and contact information for three (3) professional references is required to apply.