Executive Director of Advancement Services

Working in close partnership with the Vice President for Advancement and Advancement’s Senior Leadership team, the Executive Director of Advancement Services will provide thoughtful, strategic leadership and oversight for all major operational areas within the Office of Advancement, with primary emphasis on database administration, fiscal administration, prospect research, and donor relations and stewardship. The successful candidate will oversee the processing of all charitable gifts to the University and ensure the accuracy of all financial reports and data. The Executive Director will also maintain the University’s Advancement administrative database (presently Banner), advance the functionality and use of the system, and ensure adherence to data standards and alliance with industry best practices. This key leader will also guide the continued elevation of all internal systems and processes to support the University’s aspirational growth during and beyond its comprehensive campaign, presently in the early stages of the silent phase. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Business Office, Information Technology, and other administrative areas across campus in the execution of their work.

The Executive Director will develop a comprehensive plan to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of each area under the Advancement Services umbrella with a special emphasis on expanding Advancement’s data and reporting capabilities, preparing for and executing a planned CRM transition, and providing thoughtful, strategic leadership to a talented and dedicated team of Advancement Services professionals. The successful candidate will maintain the highest standards of quality in all aspects of their work.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8+ years of related experience. 

Top candidates will have a strong track record of success leading an Advancement Services/Operations unit in a higher education setting. A collegial, collaborative and accessible leadership style is essential, as is a “can do” approach to addressing challenges and new opportunities as they may arise. Candidates must possess a high level of energy, positivity, and integrity. The ability to adapt to — and lead within — changing circumstances and environments is essential.

The successful candidate will be a senior development professional with 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education development. Strong leadership and managerial skills are required, along with exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. An ability to analyze data, problem solve in a fast-paced environment, and effectively harness and leverage technology is essential. Experience managing a CRM transition would also be an asset. Must be an energetic, self-directed team player, committed to the mission of Marist University. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Essential Functions:

Fiscal Administration:

• Ensure adherence to all IRS, FASB, and NYPMIFA regulations related to Advancement activities.
• Ensure accuracy of bi-monthly financial reports including comprehensive campaign information.
• Ensure accuracy of donor giving history and proper recognition online and in the annual President’s Report.
• Ensure accurate daily and yearly reconciliation of all feeds to finance, including all online transactions from all sources.
• Serve as Advancement liaison with external auditors.
• Confer with Business Office to establish new account numbers.
• Assist donors and work with financial/legal advisors as required to ensure proper documentation and accurate recording of endowed scholarships and planned gifts.
• Lead Advancement’s annual fundraising and participation reporting for VSE and various ratings agencies such as US News and World Report.

Database Administration:

• Implement, utilize, and maintain alumni/donor records, recommend improvements and new advancement functions to streamline processes and maximize use of Banner administrative database system.
• Guide the implementation of a new CRM and the continued elevation of all internal systems and processes to support the University’s aspirational growth during and beyond the campaign.
• Maintain current documentation of Banner policies, procedures, and standards for data entry, data mining, report generation, gift processing and donor tracking. Develop and codify new policies and procedures for a range of other Advancement Services in alliance with industry best practices.
• Provide and/or facilitate staff training and ensure maintenance of quality standards for data entry, data manipulation and report generation.
• Develop and promote use of Banner Prospect Management functions and provide reports tracking and monitoring prospect activities and gift officer metrics.
• Serve as the Advancement’s team’s Banner Advancement Data Custodian, and liaison with Information Technology.
• Serve as project team leader and work with the Executive Director of Alumni Relations to implement and maintain the Anthology Encompass (formerly iModules) platform which includes an alumni database, email marketing, event registration, the University’s primary online giving form, etc.
• Support operational and data needs of the Annual Giving Program for direct mail campaigns (presently managed through EAB), online gift transactions, data loads for the phonathon program, GiveCampus, etc.

Supervision:

• Supervise the Financial Records Coordinator responsible for processing all annual, capital, and restricted gifts and pledges to Marist University, including phonathon pledge processing and related activity.
• Supervise the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, responsible for the management of the gift acknowledgement process; monitoring, awarding, and stewarding of endowed scholarship funds; and identification and execution of donor-related activities.
• Supervise the Director of Development Research, responsible for reporting on proactive prospect identification and reactive research, and the timely advancement of the prospect management process.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Reporting and Data Analytics
• Convene a regular schedule of Advancement Services team meetings.
• Assist the Vice President for Advancement with the preparation and monitoring of Advancement budgets.
• Serve as Asset Manager for Advancement Office.
• Works collaboratively with other members of the Advancement team and supports events and activities as necessary
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with Banner, Argos reporting, Anthology, and GiveCampus

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers' compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years, the University contributes 7.5%, and the Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credits per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements, including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods, may apply at the discretion of the University.