Executive Director, Advancement Services

ExecThread; Sydney; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

ExecThread seeks an Executive Director for Advancement Services to lead the strategic leadership and operational management of philanthropy and alumni engagement. You will focus on data and analytics, business intelligence, gift administration, and advancement systems to drive efficiency and impact.

The role requires a leader experienced in scaling operations within complex, regulated, and priority-driven environments and who can collaborate with ICT, Finance, Legal, and Governance to deliver

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex operations in large, matrixed organizations.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams.
• Strong data literacy and systems thinking.

Responsibilities

• Drive innovation and operational excellence in Advancement Services.
• Partner with ICT, Finance, Legal, and Governance to align operations with goals.

Skills

Leadership

Data literacy

Analytics

Prospect development

Gifts administration

Advancement systems

Job description

Executive Director, Advancement Services

The Company is in search of an Executive Director for Advancement Services, a pivotal role in the strategic leadership and operational management of philanthropy and alumni engagement. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving innovation and operational excellence, with a focus on prospect development, data and analytics, business intelligence, gift administration, and advancement systems. This senior leadership position demands a professional with a proven track record in leading complex operations, building high-performing teams, and delivering change in large, matrixed organizations.

While prior experience in advancement or higher education is not mandatory, the role requires a leader who is adept at operating in environments characterized by scale, complexity, regulation, and competing priorities. The Executive Director will work closely with the VP of Advancement to ensure that the operational engine is aligned with the ambitious philanthropic and alumni engagement goals of the organization. A key aspect of the role is to transition Advancement Services into a proactive, confident, and strategically influential function, capable of enabling faster decision-making and stronger outcomes.

The ideal candidate will possess high levels of data literacy, commercial judgment, and systems thinking, and must be able to work effectively with various institutional functions, including ICT, Finance, Legal, and Governance. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping the operational capability of a globally recognized institution and to contribute directly to outcomes that advance education, research, and social impact for the public good.