"Director of Advancement Operations"

Position Overview

The Office of Advancement at Mercy University invites applications for a forward-thinking, strategic, and experienced leader to serve as the Director of Advancement Operations. This critical position plays a pivotal role in driving the efficiency, innovation, and impact of our advancement initiatives, supporting fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship efforts that empower the mission of Mercy University. We recognize that a robust advancement operation is essential for fulfilling our mission and supporting our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

The Director of Advancement Operations is responsible for providing strategic vision and day-to-day oversight of all advancement services, including gift processing, database management, prospect research, reporting and analytics, and operational policy development. The successful candidate will embrace data-driven decision-making, foster collaborative relationships, and model the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement operations strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and best practices.
• Supervise, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team of professionals across gift processing, data management, prospect research, reporting and analytics.
• Serve as a critical collaborative partner to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and other members of the Advancement team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the Advancement Operations team and across the division.

Data Management & Analytics

• Oversee the integrity, security, and optimization of the advancement database and ensure best practices in data governance.
• Lead the development and implementation of reporting and analytics tools to support fundraising, stewardship, and engagement programs.
• Create standardized reports for Board of Trustees meetings and for University leadership.
• Use data-driven insights to identify trends, measure performance, and inform strategy for fundraising and engagement efforts.

Gift Processing & Stewardship

• Direct and ensure the accuracy, efficiency, and compliance of all gift processing, acknowledgment, and receipting functions.
• Collaborate with finance and legal teams to align gift acceptance policies and procedures with organizational standards and IRS regulations.
• Design and maintain systems to ensure donors receive timely and meaningful stewardship communications and recognition.

Prospect Research & Pipeline Development

• Oversee prospect research practices, ensuring the identification, qualification, and tracking of potential major donors and prospects.
• Collaborate closely with fundraising teams to build and maintain robust pipelines for annual, major, and planned gifts.

Policy Development & Compliance

• Establish, document, and update policies and procedures to promote ethical, compliant, and transparent advancement operations.
• Ensure the organization adheres to all relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in fundraising and data management.

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a key liaison to IT, Finance, Legal, and other departments, facilitating seamless integration of advancement operations across the institution.
• Provide training and support to advancement staff on operational systems, tools, and policies.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, translating complex operational concepts into actionable recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 7 years of progressive responsibility in advancement, nonprofit, or higher education operations, with at least 3 in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in data management, prospect research, gift processing, and reporting within advancement or fundraising environments.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical standards.

Desired Attributes

• Visionary thinker with a strategic mindset and a passion for operational excellence.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive cross-functional initiatives.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a demonstrated ability to lead through change and ambiguity.
• Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct.
• Strong customer service orientation and a genuine interest in advancing the mission of Mercy University.