Executive Director for Advancement Services and Business Intelligence

Description
Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR), the Executive Director for Advancement Services and Business Intelligence serves as a member of the senior leadership team and will be the strategic and collaborative leader responsible for operationalizing advancement services initiatives across Development and Alumni Relations, including research and prospect management, data intelligence, systems, and gift administration. The Executive Director will oversee multiple cross-functional teams and lead innovative efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, systems alignment, prospect strategy, data governance, and business intelligence solutions in support of the Pace’s fundraising and engagement goals.

The Executive Director partners closely with University leadership to improve organizational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, advance the strategic use of data and technology, and support long-term fundraising and engagement priorities. This role requires a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who can navigate complexity, lead organizational change, and build strong partnerships across the enterprise. This role requires an enterprise-minded leader with a broad understanding of the University and its operations, demonstrating knowledge that extends across departments rather than a single area of expertise. The successful candidate aligns constituent needs with institutional priorities while exemplifying the University's values through thoughtful decision-making and accountability. They possess exceptional communication skills, translating complex issues into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. With a high degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and diplomacy, they proactively prioritize competing demands, negotiate effectively, and provide constructive feedback that strengthens the organization. They apply critical thinking to challenge conventional approaches, ask insightful questions informed by institutional experience, and lead with confidence to advance strategic goals. Through a multiplier leadership mindset, they foster collaboration across functions, consider the broader organizational impact of decisions, and serve as a trusted coach and partner to staff, leaders, volunteers, deans, and University leadership.

Position Duties

Lead and enhance department-wide shared service functions that support fundraising, stewardship, engagement, and operational strategy.
Provide strategic oversight of prospect development, prospect management, data analytics and business intelligence, systems governance, and operational process improvement initiatives.
Partner with University leadership to improve efficiency, remove operational barriers, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and governance standards that ensure strong internal controls, data integrity, compliance, and operational consistency.
Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to DEVAR leadership, providing guidance on prospect strategy, reporting, operational planning, reporting prioritization, and procedural improvements.
Lead organizational change management efforts tied to systems, business intelligence solutions, and operational transformation.
Provide leadership and oversight for AI-related strategy and operational applications within Advancement Services and cross-functional Development teams.
Ensure compliance with legal privacy requirements, donor confidentiality standards, and ethical guidelines.
Act as a proactive strategic partner for frontline fundraisers.
In conjunction with the development officers, oversee and provide guidance on the major gift prospect, delivering information about new and known donors to educate on potential prospect engagement and giving strategies.
Demonstrates the ability to effectively lead and manage teams, staff, and volunteers by maximizing the strengths and potential of each individual. Successfully develops and executes comprehensive departmental, project, and program strategy. Effectively manages relationships, projects, and resources with minimal oversight.
Serve as a member of the department's senior leadership team.
Present and represent projects to University leadership.
Bring new best practices and innovation to the organization.
Set goals and manage budgets and meet deadlines for themselves and the team.
Drive area forward to achieve goals within their job purview.
Demonstrate specialized knowledge, experience, skill set.
Effectively collaborate with your supervisors and University partners across the enterprise.
Able to create, deploy, and execute increasingly complex projects.
Set direction and approach in partnership with assigned RU leader's vision.
Able to adapt to changing situations and partner or leadership changes.
Create, lead, and execute University-wide operational related initiatives.
Develop strategy with input of cross-functional teams to negotiate and influence solutions.
Demonstrate an ability to set priorities and determine strategy for multiple units/departments, including staffing and budgets.
Design the employee experience for a department/program.
Performs other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed.

Requirements
Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Minimum 10 years of experience with demonstrated success and progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement services, operations, fundraising, higher education, analytics, nonprofit management, or related fields.
Strong understanding of prospect development, fundraising operations, reporting, and systems governance.
Deep knowledge and proven success in data analytics and cultivating a data-driven advancement operation.
Experience working with CRM systems, reporting tools, and advancement technologies.
Working knowledge of AI tools and applications relevant to advancement services, operational efficiency, analytics, donor engagement, and reporting.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide operational or strategic initiatives.
Experience leading organizational change management initiatives.
Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
Ability to lead, assess, and reimagine new initiative.