Director, Advancement Services

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Advancement Services is a senior member of the Institute’s Development team, responsible for the office’s operational infrastructure, programs and strategies in support of fundraising success and meaningful constituent engagement. The Director manages a wide variety of administrative and executive responsibilities, working with both key internal and external stakeholders to promote operational excellence and efficiency. The successful candidate will be a proven leader, manager, mentor, and collaborative colleague who is comfortable leading major initiatives, managing systemic growth and change, and supporting the development of others.

Position Duties and Responsibilities 90%

• Provide vision, leadership and oversight to the Office of Development’s operations infrastructure (Donor Relations, Prospect Research and Information Systems, and Database Administration) to maximize fundraising impact and growth, and constituent engagement.
• Set goals and annual operating plans for Donor Relations, Prospect Research and Information Systems, and Database Administration that align with individual and institutional giving and engagement priorities.
• Supervise Donor Relations and Stewardship, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures for stewardship of gifts and endowed funds that uphold donor intent and the highest ethical standards; maintenance and enhancement of systems that track timely and accurate documentation of stewardship and engagement efforts. The stewardship program should be systematized yet allow for creativity and opportunism in execution.
• Supervise Database Administration, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures for donor, gift and fund record management and appropriate policies and guidelines for gift acceptance and compliance with IAS guidelines.
• Supervise Prospect Research, ensuring coordination of research assignments and deadlines and intentional strategies to develop and refresh a robust donor pipeline in pursuit of fundraising growth and campaign goals.
• Supervise Development Technology, ensuring coordination and optimization of data entry and maintenance projects, maximization of IAS’s CRM (Raiser’s Edge), and optimal deployment of data and analytics to inform donor strategies.
• Oversee the growth, maintenance, and enhancement of Development’s technological proficiency and tools, maximizing utilization of technologies to streamline operational processes. Optimize development systems and ensure the ability to generate useful and timely reports.
• Supervise Donor Relations and Stewardship, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures for stewardship of gifts and endowed funds that uphold donor intent and the highest ethical standards; maintenance and enhancement of systems that track timely and accurate documentation of stewardship and engagement efforts. The stewardship program should be systematized yet allow for creativity and opportunism in execution.
• Enhance internal systems and processes to support an office-wide culture of philanthropy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• In collaboration with Development’s senior leadership team, lead implementation, tracking and reporting of Development’s strategic plan.
• Work closely with the Advancement Services team to prepare operational and financial reports and analyses for internal and external distribution.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, innovative, decisive, strategic, creative and intellectually curious/broad thinker who has a demonstrated track record of driving meaningful donor recognition, disciplined and intentional prospect management, effective data management, and gift administration.

Other duties as assigned by the Chief Development Officer (10%)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Associate Director, Donor Relations
• Associate Director, Prospect Research and Information Systems

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated supervision and management skills.
• Must be able to work in a team-based environment and have ability to direct and motivate staff and volunteers.

• Subject matter expertise in fundraising operations, understanding and interest in key industry issues.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, presentation, and organizational skills.
• The ability to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient, and independent decisions about strategy and process. Knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques, including database information systems, data modeling, and analysis.
• Familiarity with technology and other innovations that can streamline processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to interact with a variety of personalities at all levels and resolve concerns and conflict with composure, fairness and tact.
• Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Education, Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• 8 years of relevant operational senior leadership experience in a complex organization, preferably in a higher education, serving in an administrative or development leadership capacity.
• Experience leading an Advancement Services team in a major fundraising campaign.
• Strong Writing and project management experience.
• Strong computer software skills including MS Office, Excel, Power Point, Canva, databases and networked information systems.

Please note that proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to work at the Institute.

Individuals are eligible to request an accommodation based on a medical exemption or profession of sincerely-held religious beliefs.  

The Institute for Advanced Study is an equal opportunity institution encouraging a diverse pool of applicants.  We believe in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a truly diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives, as well as more innovative and effective solutions, to the organization.   As a community dedicated to intellectual inquiry, we are resolutely committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes subsidized health and dental insurance, an excellent retirement plan, and a generous paid time off program.  Interested candidates please apply to the position at:   https://ias.synchr-recruit.com/job/460656/director-advancement-services