What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Advancement Operations position at Park University?
The Director of Advancement Operations ensures effective and efficient implementation of key University Advancement functions, including: data management and analysis, prospect research and pipeline tracking, financial reporting, advancement communications support, gift processing and acknowledgment, stewardship reporting, and department budgeting.
Position Accountabilities
Operations
- Partner with senior leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives related to operations, processes, goals, reporting, contracts, and program strategies.
- Lead the creation, execution, and continuous improvement of the annual development plan and business processes related to records management, gift processing, annual giving, stewardship, and prospect research.
- Oversee event-related systems, including data tracking, guest list management, and reporting in collaboration with Advancement event staff.
Advancement Services / Annual Giving
- Manage the University's alumni, fundraising, and prospect management database (Raiser's Edge), ensuring data integrity, accuracy, troubleshooting, and user training.
- Coordinate and maintain policies, procedures, guidelines, and templates associated with gift processing, acceptance, counting and reporting standards, and endowment reporting.
- Provide data, lists, and systems support for Advancement communications, ensuring accuracy of audience segmentation and delivery through Raiser's Edge.
- Oversee data analysis and preparation to support alumni/donor communications, solicitations, and fundraising events.
Endowed Funds / Scholarships
- Manage the process and documentation for creating new endowed funds, including coordination and communication with other University departments.
- Manage detailed record-keeping, donor/family stewardship, and annual stewardship report processes for all existing and new endowed funds.
- Collaborate with Finance and Financial Aid to maximize the use of endowed funds in accordance with University policies and donor intent.
Advancement Support
- Partner with the VP and frontline fundraisers to develop prospect strategies, prepare research briefs, and ensure disciplined pipeline movement across major, planned, and annual giving.
- Support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts by managing prospect tracking in Raiser's Edge and preparing donor research profiles.
Finance and Budget
- Serve as primary liaison with Finance to provide timely and accurate financial reporting that supports Advancement operations and donor stewardship.
Management and Supervision
- Supervise and mentor the Advancement Services Manager and the Annual Fund & Stewardship Manager, as well as graduate assistants, student workers, and volunteers, to ensure effective support of Advancement operations and professional development opportunities.
- Direct, organize, and evaluate direct reports' work activity, manage work allocation, problem resolution, and motivate staff to achieve results. This includes hiring, scheduling, professional development, and conducting performance evaluations.
Position Requirements:
Bachelor's degree is required.
5 years of experience in annual giving/fundraising management and relational database software.
Demonstrated experience with Raiser's Edge software is required.
Outstanding customer service, communication, and public relations skills.
Proficiency in word processing, databases, and spreadsheets; ability to learn new software programs; ability to multi-task and meet deadlines efficiently; demonstrated team orientation.
Founded in 1875, Park University is a private, liberal arts university. Park's flagship campus is located in the Kansas City suburb of Parkville, Missouri, on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. We offer an excellent benefits package including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement plan, and tuition-paid undergraduate classes for employees and dependents. Park University is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.
Qualified applicants must upload a resume and cover letter that includes salary requirements.