Job No. 155812
- Job Title:
- Senior Director of Advancement Services
- Employer:
-
Norwich University
- Location:
-
Northfield , VT
- Posting Date:
- 07-Jul-2025
- Description:
-
Job Description:
Fulfills the mission of Norwich University by ensuring that every gift is processed with precision, transparency, and full compliance with institutional policies, IRS regulations, and professional standards. Safeguards the integrity of philanthropic contributions across all fundraising areas - advancing donor trust, supporting timely and accurate financial reporting, and enabling the university to execute transformational priorities with confidence. Through strategic oversight of gift processing, CRM management, and data integrity and reporting. Plays a critical role in sustaining and strengthening the culture of philanthropy at Norwich.
As a senior member of the Advancement Services team, this role actively contributes to the planning, strategic direction, personnel development, and leadership of the unit. Represents the team when required and undertakes a portfolio of special and advanced projects as assigned. This position is key to promoting a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability in service delivery.
Hybrid work may be authorized for this position.
Essential Functions
Leads and mentors a high-performing gift service and data operations team.
Assists with project workflow, coordinate training for new employees, procedure updates, and performance evaluations.
Serves as a strategic partner to Development, Alumni Relations, Finance, and IT to ensure alignment and operational excellence.
Ensures all charitable contributions are processed accurately, timely, and in accordance with IRS regulations, donor intent, university policies, and professional standards.
Establishes and enforces standards for data accuracy, consistency, security, and accessibility across all advancement systems.
Develops and maintains advancement policies related to gift acceptance, data privacy, and records retention.
Oversees the administration and optimization and database management of the CRM and related advancement platforms.
Stays informed on best practices in advancement services, data ethics, and nonprofit compliance.
Ensures the advancement office meets all audit, legal, and compliance requirements.
Maintains auditable records and collaborates with Finance to reconcile revenue.
Serves as a key stakeholder in CRM and other system implementations or upgrades.
Designs, creates, and manages advanced queries and reports for Development, Alumni, and Communications (DAC) staff, and others on campus as needed.
Imports, exports, manipulates, and converts data using database and programming tools and document those procedures.
Identifies and implements best practices for data management for a wide variety of needs, including updating and maintaining data related to committee assignments, volunteers, etc.
Oversees the acknowledgement and stewardship process to ensure thoughtful and timely follow-up for all gifts received.
Oversees the use of the department budget appropriately and strategically.
Serves as secondary office backup for gift entry, deposits, credit card transactions, and batch tracking CRM as needed.
Manages data fields and database definitions to meet best practices in data storage and reporting; document and maintain data dictionary for departmental systems.
Ensures data integrity.
Manages special projects and systems maintenance as assigned.
Other Functions
Assesses the performance of direct reports and provides frequent feedback to optimize their performance.
Maintains confidentiality of sensitive or private information.
Communicates with employees, students, and others in a respectful and clear manner.
Serves on University committees, councils, workgroups, or other designated bodies as assigned.
Achieves, maintains proficiency in, and utilizes computers, telephones, and other job-related equipment, including related systems and software.
Speaks, reads, and writes in English.
Communicates by telephone, email, letter, in person, or other means or device.
Performs other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree.
5 years of related work experience and team management experience.
Knowledge of Norwich University's history, environment, and academic culture is a plus.
Track record of successful project management. Ability to manage multiple time sensitive projects at once.
Exceptional customer service skills
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Strong computing and technical skills, including familiarity with a networked environment, relational databases, and other applications.
Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook).
Able to sit, squat, reach, push, pull, and manipulate related equipment; lift 15 pounds; travel outdoors to various parts of the campus
Work some evening or weekend hours
Travel as needed (public or private transportation)
Environmental Conditions
Indoor work at a computer workstation.
Low level of exposure to noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes.