Professional/Administrative

Director of Advancement Operations

Full Time

Office of Advancement

Advancement Operations

Colgate University, a top-ranked liberal arts college, is seeking an innovative and highly collaborative operations leader to direct the development and implementation of support functions that provide the foundation for Advancement to achieve its goals. Colgate is a highly selective residential liberal arts college for students of talent who are preparing for lives of leadership and productive citizenship. The University recently launched a $1B campaign in support of the Third-Century Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that will advance Colgate’s efforts to pursue its mission at the highest level and establish Colgate as one of the finest undergraduate institutions in the nation. One of the components — the Plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) — stands as Colgate’s most definitive plan in 200 years for elevating the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the institution.

In partnership with the Associate Vice President for Advancement Administration and Strategic Talent Management (AVP), the position is responsible for oversight of all aspects of the Advancement Operations program, including:

• Providing leadership and strategic oversight of the Advancement Operations program including the supervision, development, hiring, training, and mentoring of six direct reports
• Managing systems, data integrity, compliance, gift accounting and processing, and constituent records administration
• Serving as platform administrator of the Raiser’s Edge/NXT CRM and providing oversight for administration of related platforms such as email marketing, event management, alumni portal, volunteer management, and award management
• Ensuring adherence to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations; Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards for reporting and gift acceptance; applicable federal and state laws; and Colgate’s Gift Acceptance Policy.
• Creating, maintaining, documenting, and updating administrative systems and policies to manage daily operations for Advancement
• Conducting a thorough review of Raiser’s Edge/NXT, related platforms, and business processes to ensure maximum performance
• Advising advancement staff on best practices for utilizing Raiser’s Edge/NXT and other platforms to accomplish advancement goals
• Oversee technical training for all Advancement databases and platforms.
• Planning and directing system upgrades and maintenance In collaboration with Information Technology Services (ITS)
• Collaborating effectively with the finance division on matters such as audits, reconciliation, gift acceptance, and gift processing
• Chairing the divisional Data Governance Committee including presenting Committee recommendations to Advancement leadership

Accounting

Widely recognized as campus subject matter expert on regulatory and accounting rules for gifts. Demonstrated knowledge of accounting and regulatory rules sufficient to oversee processing of all gifts and pledges. Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and manage a departmental budget.

Customer Service/Problem Solving

Demonstrated ability to anticipate and respond to requests and informational needs of assigned IA function. Ability to solve operational issues and suggest improvements for applicable IA functions.

Operations Management

Demonstrated ability to effectively create, implement and oversee effective IA operations, including all areas of gift receipting, accounting and processing. Demonstrated ability to configure, implement and maximize value from investments in databases and technology relevant to IA.

Demonstrated ability to manage day to day department operations. Ability to monitor and make recommendations on improving policies, protocols, metrics and workflows and budgets. Knowledge of department operations and strategic objectives sufficient to manage financial, people and technology resources.

Records Management

Demonstrated ability to design and configure data sets and related databases to accurately capture and store required IA information. Demonstrated ability to optimize data collection and relationships between data sets for use in reporting and creating analytical insight. Understanding and deep knowledge of IA data and related standards.

Technology

Demonstrated ability to understand and use functionality of relevant IA applications and technology. Ability to apply technology tools to design and develop complex reports and manage information at an expert level. A power user with demonstrated ability to conduct complex reporting, data management and related technical operations.

Managerial Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of Colgate managerial processes and requirements, to include:

• Demonstrated ability to fairly and accurately assess employee performance in accordance with university practices.
• Demonstrated understanding of federal and state regulations, as they apply to the university policies and guidelines related to human resources sufficient to effectively select new employees, recommend pay actions, determine employment status and initiate or approve employee changes in status.

• Demonstrated ability to develop employee skills, performance, and behaviors.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively coach and communicate with employees on issues of pay, performance and development.

Personal Accountability for Results

Takes responsibility for decisions, performance, and outcomes; behaves in a responsible manner with a positive attitude; shows self-awareness and openness to feedback.

Effective Communication

Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills; shares information and seeks input from others; adapts communication to diverse audiences; protects private and confidential information.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

Analyzes and prioritizes situations to identify and solve problems; generates solutions to improve efficiency and quality; involves others in solving problems and making decisions; factors organizational goals into decisions; makes clear, transparent, and timely decisions.

Change Management

Responds positively to changing university initiatives and readily adapts behavior to maintain effective performance; understands the long-term direction of the university and can relate this to departmental area; adapts to new methodologies; identifies and acts on areas where change is appropriate.

Leadership and Teamwork

Applies skills and knowledge to provide a climate to achieve departmental and organizational success; balances individual and department goals; helps others perform at their best; builds productive relationships to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness; treats others with respect; resolves conflicts among team members.

Creativity and Innovation

Generates, explores, encourages, and implements innovative ways of creating strategic value for the university, division, department, and individual level; critically assesses the effectiveness of new initiatives.

Diversity and Inclusion

Demonstrates respect for people and their differences; understands the benefits of a diverse workforce; earns the trust and respect of others; includes and welcomes others; works to understand the perspective of others; promotes opportunities to experience diversity within our community.

Sustainability

Understands the impact of decision making and personal behavior in achieving the university’s commitment to a sustainable and carbon-neutral campus; supports and advances the university’s sustainability initiatives; influences others to use sustainable practices.

• Ten years of experience in advancement services or a closely related field and a nuanced understanding of this role in the success of Advancement
• Highly proficient with Microsoft products including Excel
• Significant experience with Customer Relationship Management systems, with a strong preference for experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT
• Must be able to work collegially and effectively with a diverse group of alumni, students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage projects and strategic initiatives from inception to completion
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to effectively build relationships and alliances with internal and external constituencies, including key service vendors
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Experience with or aptitude for interpreting IRS regulations, complex policies, and legal documents
• Demonstrated ability to create complex reports, queries, and lists

• Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT Professional and/or Fundamentals certification
• Proven success in building and developing a high-functioning team in a higher education/non-profit environment
• Experience with system implementations and/or conversions
• Familiarity with Crystal Reports and/or Tableau
• Experience with Google Suite

A Bachelor’s degree is required

2023S035Posting

No

12 months, M-F with occasional weekends

05/25/2023

Yes

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS
The Campus Safety Department will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. To obtain a copy, contact the Campus Safety Compliance Manager via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu. You may also access the report from the Campus Safety web page at: www.colgate.edu/offices/support/campussafety.