Furman University

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Job Title:

Director of Advancement Services

Job Family:

Professionals

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Compensation Grade:

10S

Pay Type:

Salary

Department:

Philanthropic Strategy

Job Summary:

Furman University invites applications for the Director of Advancement Services, a pivotal role in driving our fundraising efforts and enhancing donor engagement. This dynamic leader is responsible for leading and managing the areas of Development Systems and Business Intelligence, Gift Management, and Prospect Development and Research. This is a leadership position in the Office of Development and requires significant management experience.

If you are a collaborative and results-oriented leader with a passion for higher education and philanthropy, we encourage you to apply and be part of our mission to create leaders of impact.

Job Description:

Job Function:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropic Strategy, the Director of Advancement Services must possess the ability to facilitate a positive “can do” team environment, to supervise and inspire staff toward excellence, and to lead by example.

The Director of Advancement Services must be an excellent strategic thinker and consulting partner on special projects with campus partners.

In a partnership with Information Technology Services (ITS), the Director of Advancement Services will incorporate best practices to guide full utilization of Raiser’s Edge and software integrations to build and sustain strong relationships with partners inside the division and across campus to track engagement in support of fundraising effectiveness.

The Director of Advancement Services sets annual priorities for Development Systems and Business Intelligence, Gift Management, and Prospect Development and Research staff and operations in the planning and implementation of the cyclical nature of the workflow, special projects, standard policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep commitment to Furman’s mission of providing equitable, transformative education and driving positive outcomes for our students and community. With a focus on operational excellence and innovation, the Director of Advancement Services will develop data-driven strategies to enhance our fundraising capabilities and cultivate a pipeline of donors.

Responsibilities:

To ensure the success of the Advancement Services unit at Furman University, the department requires the following key skills:

1. Leadership and Team Management

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage teams effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration across departments and campus partners.
• Proactively support Development Systems and Business Intelligence, Gift Management, and Prospect Development and Research in implementation of best practices.

2. Data Management and Analysis

• Expertise in utilization of fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge NXT and Database view) and reporting tools.
• Ability to analyze donor data and trends to support strategic decision-making.
• High proficiency in maintaining data integrity, ensuring accuracy in records, and outlining the needs for management reports.

3. Attention to Detail and Accuracy

• Strong organizational skills to ensure consistency in data output and documentation.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in overseeing donor data, processing gifts, and evaluating data and prepared reports by team members.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation on business processes, procedures and reference guides.

4. Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare reports, present data, and effectively engage stakeholders.
• Ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for leadership and other teams.
• Ability to represent the Unit at required meetings in support of campus initiatives.

5. Operational Efficiency and Process Improvement

• Experience with strategic planning and improving operational efficiencies within fundraising units in collaboration with Information Technology Services (ITS).
• Ability to assess and communicate goals in process optimization, automating workflows, and ensuring scalability of advancement operations in collaboration with ITS.
• Desire to explore and integrate emerging technologies that enhance donor engagement, such as digital stewardship platforms and integrated event tools in collaboration with ITS.

6. Project Management

• Strong project management skills to oversee multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring deadlines are met and resources are effectively allocated.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments to achieve shared objectives.
• Serve as a liaison between Development and ITS and participate in regular ITS meetings and committee efforts.

7. Financial and Budget Management

• Competence in handling financial data related to fundraising, such as tracking donations, managing fund allocations, and budgeting for advancement activities.
• Annual audit of technology related contracts to eliminate duplication of functions.
• Facilitate review and evaluation of new software contracts in collaboration with ITS.

8. Development Systems and Business Intelligence

• Strong knowledge of a software platform that integrates donor data, analyzes trends, and provides actionable insights to optimize fundraising strategies based on donor behavior and trends.
• Design and deployment of visualization tools to interactively explore data through custom queries and dashboard reporting to identify issues through continuous monitoring.
• Share analytics and focused insights on prospects to Development leadership, the President’s Office, and the Board of Trustees Committee on Trusteeship. Serve as a liaison between Development and the President’s Chief of Staff.

9. Gift Management and Compliance

• Oversee Gift Management operations in all aspects of gift processing and fund management, financial reporting, accuracy of constituent updates and record requirements.
• Strong knowledge of gift processing procedures and regulations, including IRS guidelines for charitable contributions.
• Ability to ensure compliance with all relevant laws, policies, and procedures for handling donations.

10. Prospect Development and Research

• Manage the Principal & Presidential prospect management program
• Oversee Prospect Development and Portfolio Management, pipeline development, prospect identification, fundraiser performance management and prospect research
• Proficiency in implementing strategies to develop prospect pipelines and moves management to support fundraising goals.
• Define parameters to guide research requests including event attendees, boards and councils, campus partners.
• These skills are essential for ensuring that the Advancement Services unit operates efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with Furman’s strategic goals.

Preferred Years Experience, Education, and Training

Years of Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in philanthropy and fundraising, direct oversight or integration with advancement services, within higher education or a nonprofit organization.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required

Training and Certifications

• Advanced experience in donor database systems (Raiser’s Edge NXT and Database view) and data analytics (Power BI).
• Ongoing professional development and training in fundraising best practices and advancement services.

Reports To: Associate Vice President for Philanthropic Strategy

Interactions:

Daily contact with own work unit, immediate supervisor, development, alumni staff and fundraisers to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information, and make suggestions related to mutual goals.

Daily contact with members of other departments and campus partners to plan, coordinate, problem solve, present information, and make suggestions related to mutual goals.

Frequent contact with professional peers at other institutions to exchange pertinent information and explanation of rules, regulations, practices or functions.

Work Conditions:

Work is performed under usual office conditions. Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed, is required.

Adhere to the ethical and confidentiality guidelines of the Development Office, Furman University, APRA, AASP, CASE. Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential constituent data.

Contribute to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Keep current with the latest trends and developments through reading, webinars, user group meetings, conferences, or other educational offerings. Continually work to refine and expand existing areas of expertise and explore opportunities to acquire new skills/knowledge.

Act independently within broad program goals to prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Responsibility for Final Decisions:

Direct supervision of 3 - 8 employees.

Reviews work to ensure compliance with procedures and deadlines.

Spends time planning, scheduling, and assigning priorities of multiple ongoing assignments.

Tasks involve interpretation of data and/or procedures to address problems or situations that are not clearly defined. Work involves non-routine/diverse work not defined by procedures.

Errors may cause inaccuracies in reports, records or data resulting in dissemination of inaccurate or incomplete information.

Work is performed independently except where the interpretation of law, policy, rule, complex procedure, or request for exception is required.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):

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