Advancement Data Specialist

Denver Seminary; Colorado; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Denver Seminary is seeking an Advancement Data Specialist to design and maintain data entry, gift processing, receipting, and reporting systems that strengthen donor engagement. You will manage Raiser's Edge NXT (with ResearchPoint) and continuously improve data quality, workflows, and reporting for prospect identification and stewardship.

You will collaborate with Finance for monthly gift revenue reconciliation, train Advancement users, and produce targeted lists for mailings and events while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (business, math/statistics, information systems, or related).
• Experience in advancement/development data operations required.
• Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge NXT administrator-level strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain data entry, gift/pledge processing, receipting, and reporting systems to support donor engagement.
• Manage Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT database (with ResearchPoint) and improve data quality, workflows, and reporting.
• Produce segmented lists and reports for mailings, events, and portfolios; ensure deadlines are met.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge NXT

ResearchPoint

Job description

Denver Seminary is a multidenominational graduate school committed to preparing men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through rigorous educational programs and a mentoring-focused community, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, equipping them to lead God’s people in accomplishing His mission in the world.

General Statement of Job Function

The Advancement Data Specialist designs and maintains efficient data entry, gift/pledge processing, receipting, and reporting systems that strengthen donor, church, and alumni engagement. The role manages Denver Seminary’s Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT database (with ResearchPoint) and continuously improves data quality, workflows, and reporting to support prospect identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship.

Essential Functions

Reporting & Analytics

• Build and maintain operational reports and dashboards (bi-monthly performance vs. goals; quarterly year-over-year trends; donor segmentation; ROI by project/campaign).
• Partner with Finance to complete monthly gift revenue reconciliation and resolve variances on time.
• Deliver ad-hoc analysis to inform strategy, portfolio management, and appeals.

Prospect Research & Gift Processing

• Develop basic predictive or rules-based models to surface new prospects.
• Perform prospect research using Raiser’s Edge NXT and ResearchPoint; summarize capacity, affinity, relationships, and giving history.
• Oversee timely, accurate gift and pledge entry, receipting/acknowledgments, and tribute/economic impact tracking in compliance with policy and IRS receipting
• Coordinate interdepartmental imports/feeds to keep constituent data current.
• Serve as primary system administrator: data hygiene, coding standards, global changes, imports/exports, security roles, documentation.
• Train and support Advancement users; maintain an up-to-date procedures manual and data dictionary.
• Produce segmented lists and reports for mailings, events, and portfolios; ensure deadlines are met.

Ministry Residency Program Support

• Upload residency church commitment/pledge forms to Raiser’s Edge and SharePoint.
• Manage pledge schedules and payments for interns; provide monthly balance statements to churches.
• Report pledge status to the Ministry Residency Coordinator; act as liaison among the Seminary, intern, and the residency church as needed.

Scholarship & Fund Agreement Support

• File new and amended fund agreements; add/update scholarship fund details in RE.
• Coordinate with Finance and Financial Aid to ensure accurate fund setup, coding, and reporting
• Recommend process and system enhancements, document and track change requests.
• Adherent to advanced data privacy, PCI, and audit requirements.

Education/Training

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (business, math/statistics, information systems, or related); equivalent combination of education and relevant experience considered.
• Experience in advancement/development data operations required; proficiency with Raiser’s Edge NXT (administrator‑level) strongly preferred; ResearchPoint experience a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• High attention to detail; strong analytical, querying, and data modeling skills.
• Advanced Excel (lookups, pivot tables, basic formulas); comfort with data imports/exports (CSV), and list segmentation.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment; strong project management and follow‑through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; customer‑service orientation.
• Discretion in handling confidential information; professional demeanor.
• Ability to work independently on a computer for extended periods.

Faith Commitment & Institutional Fit

• Committed personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifestyle consistent with the Seminary’s Community Values and Behavioral Commitments.
• Agreement with Denver Seminary’s Statement of Faith.

Denver Seminary prepares men and women to engage the needs of the world with the redemptive power of the Gospel and the life-changing truth of Scripture. Through our educational programs and mentoring process, the Seminary challenges students to grow spiritually, intellectually, and professionally, in order to lead God’s people in the accomplishment of His mission in the world. The position of Advancement Data Specialist supports this mission through the following outcomes.

Outcomes

• Advancement decisions are informed by accurate, timely reporting aligned to unit goals.
• Fundraising growth is supported by segment-driven analysis, clean data, and actionable prospect insights.
• Donors and constituents are received, acknowledged, and stewarded accurately and on time.
• Projects and requests are prioritized appropriately and completed by agreed deadlines.
• The Advancement team is equipped and trained to use data and systems effectively.

Typical Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Normal office environment with regular computer use, including occasional standing, walking, stair climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, and lifting/moving up to 25 lbs. This donor-facing role generally involves occasional local travel and occasional evening or weekend availability (roughly once or twice per month) to support cultivation visits and point‑of‑entry events, alongside the broader Advancement team.

Denver Seminary is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence in all areas of ministry and operations. As a faith-based institution, Denver Seminary exercises its legal rights to prefer candidates who affirm and support our Statement of Faith and Community Values, consistent with applicable religious exemptions under federal law.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Applicants who require accommodation during the application process should contact Human Resources.

Note: Employment is contingent upon proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successful completion of a background check.