Position Title:

Executive Director, Advancement Services

Department/School:

Office of Advancement 

Salary/Pay Rate:

$98,000 - $120,000

Job Summary:

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 Financial Records Coordinator responsible for processing of all annual, capital, and restricted gifts and pledges to Marist University, including phonathon pledge processing and related activity.
• Supervise Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship responsible for management of gift acknowledgement process; monitoring, awarding, and stewarding of endowed scholarship funds; and identification and execution of donor-related activities.
• Supervise Director of Development Research responsible for reporting of 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 Vice President for Advancement with 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

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References 

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 University contributes 7.5%, 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 credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, 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.

About the Department/School:

As Marist has grown, so have its development efforts. In its last comprehensive campaign, the University raised nearly $160 million on an ambitious goal of $150 million. 14,388 donors contributed to the Campaign for Marist, including 21 gifts of $1 million or more. Significant support was secured for major capital initiatives, the faculty, and the establishment of more than 40 new endowed scholarships. The University ’s alumni, now more than 52,000 strong, are highly engaged and supportive of the University. Additionally, Marist has an impressive record of development success with prominent philanthropists throughout the Hudson River Valley. The institution also benefits greatly from an expanding cadre of highly supportive and dedicated parents. The Advancement team consists of 27 individuals working in three departments including development, alumni relations and advancement services.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-Time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5pm,  some evening work may be required at times

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating a diverse workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of minorities, women, people with disabilities, and any other protected groups found to be under represented.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.