Case Western Reserve University

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $82,862 and $104,821, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Under general direction of Advancement Services leadership, the Senior Director of Advancement Technology Services leads technological operations within Advancement Services to support the fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship mission of University Relations and Development. This role provides strategic direction and hands-on leadership in the development, support, and optimization of enterprise advancement systems, including Ellucian CRM Advance and reporting environments. The senior director is responsible for ensuring high levels of service delivery, technical excellence, and system security. The senior director will proactively shape the roadmap for advancement technology, ensuring relevant solutions meet both business needs and institutional standards. This individual will have deep experience in software development life cycles (SDLC), data architecture, and modern fundraising technology solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Lead the development and delivery of reporting solutions, primarily through SQL server reporting services, to support fundraising, donor engagement, and operational efficiency. This position manages report request intake, assigns projects to developers, and ensures that reports meet both data integrity standards and user expectations. Initiate and monitor reports directly, provide data insights, and ensure reporting platforms like SSRS align with institutional data governance, FERPA, CASE, and donor confidentiality standards. (30%)
2. In collaboration with University Technology (UTech), oversee the development, configuration, integration, and ongoing support of core advancement systems, including Ellucian CRM Advance and related Advancement Services platforms. Partner with UTech on system architecture design, performance optimization, and complex system integrations. Ensure adherence to Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) standards for development and documentation and provides senior-level technical expertise to resolve complex issues and enhance enterprise applications. (30%)
3. In partnership with UTech, assist in managing a broad portfolio of technical projects, system upgrades, and platform-specific initiatives. Responsibilities may include defining project scope, coordinating cross-functional efforts, and ensuring high-quality, timely delivery of outcomes. Collaborate with UTech to oversee vendor relationships and third-party software integrations, ensuring all efforts align with the strategic and operational objectives of advancement services. (15%)
4. Contribute to the overall vision, direction, and strategic oversight of advancement-related applications and data services. In collaboration with advancement services leadership, ensure that technology strategies align with fundraising priorities and the university's strategic goals. Serve as an advocate for advancement services in broader information technology governance and planning initiatives and play a key role in evaluating vendors and technology products to inform the division's technology roadmap. (15%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Participate in university-wide committees and other groups in support of the technological capabilities of advancement services. (5%)
2. Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with department staff to provide technical and reporting assistance with applications as required to perform essential functions.

University: Daily/Weekly contact with University Relations and Development staff to provide reporting assistance with applications as required to perform essential functions.

External: Occasional contact with chosen vendor's support staff for troubleshooting issues with applications as required to perform essential functions.

Students: None.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct supervision of two department application developers, director of business intelligence and reporting, and the philanthropy data analyst, including assigning tasks and ensuring the successful completion of associated outcomes and deliverables. May also lead projects, which will include collaboration with other advancement services leaders and staff, as well as university-wide engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 8 or more years of experience in enterprise application development or related technology leadership roles.

Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Working knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
2. Advanced knowledge of PL/SQL (packages, views, data loader, Oracle functions, etc.).
3. Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
4. Working knowledge of systems design principles, methodologies and tools, including those applicable to web-based environments.
5. Working knowledge of basic database theory, design rules and development practices, including data modeling, data flow and entity relationship analysis.
6. Working knowledge of fundraising and donor relations is preferred.
7. Must demonstrate proficiency in a majority of the following: knowledge of Ellucian CRM Advance, or similar advancement-related CRM, preferred; good knowledge of Shell scripting; working knowledge of Linux; knowledge of other coding languages; knowledge of dashboard builders, such as Qlik and/or Tableau; API Knowledge, and knowledge of Crystal reports.
8. Working knowledge of principles and practices of sound business communications, including the ability to convey technical or complex information to others in non-technical terms in written and oral forms. Excellent written and oral communications, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
9. Working knowledge of basic project management methods, tools, and techniques.
10. Ability to actively listen, responsive to verbal and non-verbal clues.
11. Ability to look at situations from multiple perspectives, break problems into component parts, and look for underlying causes and think through the consequences of different courses of action. Ability to identify various types of problems along with the creation of workable solutions. Requires the identification and analysis of problems, evaluation of alternatives, and provision of solutions.
12. Ability to respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintain good working relationships among internal and external customers. The ability to recognize awkward or potentially embarrassing situations that sometimes arises. Always aware of tone and careful choice of words, while at the same time ensuring that the intended message is clear, polite and readily understood.
13. Ability to develop in-depth understanding of client needs to be more helpful. The ability to consider how different audiences are likely to respond and chose the best method of communicating the message to each audience.
14. Consistently models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness and respect for the individual. Must have the ability to use discretion and good judgment on sensitive and important matters.
15. Ability to recognize the importance of certain tasks and responsibilities and the ability to prioritize to ensure that deadlines are met.
16. Ability to be flexible to meet the constant changing scope and needs of the department, division, and customers being served. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects. Ability to optimize the use of time and resources to achieve the desired results; effectively plans and organizes work to minimize crises; prioritized appropriately.
17. Ability to work with technologies for which little or no documentation or precedence exists. Commitment to self-motivated lifelong learning.
18. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
19. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Professional office environment. This position operates in a dynamic environment where meeting deadlines is essential, and occasional time-sensitive requests or high-priority issues may arise. The role may require occasional travel between campus locations and attendance at meetings outside of standard business hours. Regular computer use is expected. The employee may also be required to be available during evenings or weekends to respond to critical issues or after-hours emergencies.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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