Associate Vice President for Advancement Services

Working at Quinnipiac University; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Quinnipiac University seeks a strategic, collaborative leader to serve as Associate Vice President for Advancement Services. You will plan and implement information systems to support fundraising goals and advancement objectives, leading data strategy, CRM optimization, and gift processing.

The role oversees donor research, prospect management, and data governance to enable accurate reporting and university-wide fundraising success. Strong leadership and analytics are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years leading fundraising data and gift processing teams.
• Expert knowledge of Ellucian CRM and fundraising platforms.
• Proficiency with Excel and SQL for data reporting.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief data strategist for the Office of Advancement.
• Oversee donor, alumni, and advancement data needs.
• Develop dashboards and data quality controls.
• Lead CRM optimization and data security standards.
• Oversee gift processing and reconciliation with ledgers.
• Provide training on Ellucian CRM for staff.

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Ellucian CRM

GiveCampus

Excel

SQL

Job description

Overview

Quinnipiac University seeks a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to serve as Associate Vice President for Advancement Services. In this high-impact leadership position, you will be responsible for planning and implementing information systems that help achieve fundraising goals and other objectives for the Office of Advancement. Providing leadership to the acquisition, management, analysis and use of information necessary to support the day-to-day and long-term objectives of the department. You will manage the functional areas related to information systems and reporting, database maintenance, gift processing, prospect research and pipeline management, and donor relations.

About Quinnipiac

Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university currently has an enrollment of 9,700 students in more than 100-degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Computing & Engineering, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Our 22 Division I teams have achieved remarkable success, boasting national and conference titles - including a 2023 NCAA national championship win in men's ice hockey, a trip to the Sweet 16 for our women's basketball team and NCAA Tournament appearances by many of our programs. The Quinnipiac University Poll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinion research, and the university is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in the nation, and second in Connecticut, for our exceptional graduation rate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation and learning opportunities.

The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, the development of innovative strategic partnerships, and recently opened South Quad with three state-of-the-art buildings.

As Quinnipiac grows, the university remains guided by the core values that define our community and shapes the experience of every student and employee.

• We are fiercely committed to ensuring every Bobcat thrives. We are a lifelong partner for every learner.
• We passionately care about our community. Everyone should feel welcome and valued.
• We boldly shape our university’s future. We will forge a path of impact together.

These values are the foundation of who we are and reflect the Quinnipiac spirit found across our campuses. For more information, please visit qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief data strategist for the Office of Advancement, partnering with staff and university stakeholders to identify data needs, improve data usage, and develop short- and long-term strategies for advancement data systems. Evaluate and implement solutions that improve efficiency, data accessibility, and decision-making, including the automation of manual processes
• Provide strategic oversight of all donor, alumni, and advancement data needs in support of university-wide fundraising and engagement efforts. Serve as the primary liaison for advancement data needs across the University and develop standards for data acquisition, entry, coding, maintenance, and security
• Develop and implement systems, dashboards, controls, and processes to monitor data quality, identify discrepancies, and ensure the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of advancement data. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of database structures, integrations, and business processes to inform policies and system improvements
• Partner with Information Technology and other university stakeholders to enhance and expand the University’s Ellucian CRM environment. Establish and maintain standards for system configuration, interfaces, data changes, coding, user access, and security. Serve as a subject-matter expert and resource for Advancement staff on CRM functionality and technical issues
• Provide leadership and oversight for gift administration and processing. Ensure the complete, accurate, timely, and appropriately coded processing and transmission of gifts, pledges, and related advancement activity to the University’s financial systems.
• Establish and maintain documented procedures for reconciliation, exception resolution, period close, and financial reporting. Reconcile advancement records to the general ledger and supporting documentation, promptly investigate and resolve variances, and ensure the accuracy of gift revenue, receivables, deferred revenue, donor restrictions, and fund balances
• Establish and maintain appropriate internal controls over the advancement CRM and subledger, including interfaces, coding, data changes, and user access. Serve as the primary contact for internal and external audits and ensure that advancement data and financial processes meet University policies and audit requirements
• Supervise donor research and prospect management functions to identify and qualify prospective donors and support effective moves management throughout the major gift pipeline. Develop processes and reporting that enable Advancement leadership and fundraisers to effectively manage prospect activity and cultivation strategies
• Provide oversight of donor relations data and processes to ensure timely, accurate, and appropriate communication with donors. Oversee the production of automated and special gift acknowledgements and establish processes that support accurate and efficient university-wide donor recognition
• Lead training for Advancement staff on the general use of Ellucian CRM and provide advanced CRM training to Advancement Services staff. Serve as a technical resource for staff, troubleshoot system and data issues, and promote effective and consistent use of advancement systems
• Develop, implement, document, and periodically evaluate policies and procedures governing advancement data, system security, data acquisition and maintenance, coding, gift processing, gift acceptance, donor acknowledgements, and related business processes. Collaborate with Advancement and university stakeholders to ensure policies support institutional priorities and operational needs

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in in the management of fundraising and alumni support services required that would include management of data/gift processing departments, research and prospect management and information services
• Expert knowledge of Ellucian CRM, GiveCampus or a similar fundraising system
• High level of proficiency with query languages
• Excellent understanding of database files and structures
• Ability to quickly learn new systems and how they interface with one another
• Advanced understanding of gift administration, processing and reporting
• Ability to create, balance and reconcile complex gift and campaign reports
• Full knowledge of CASE reporting standards and IRS rules as they apply to charitable giving
• Proficiency with Excel
• Knowledge of AI tools and agents
• Experience using a variety of research tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time faculty and staff which includes tuition remission and a culture that is inclusive and driven by excellence.

Quinnipiac University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful community.

Note to Faculty/Staff Applicants Only

Note to Faculty/Staff Applicants Only: If a final candidate is a current or previous Quinnipiac employee, the hiring manager must obtain a reference check from the candidate’s current or former manager before making an offer of employment. If the candidate's current or most-recent Quinnipiac supervisor is unavailable, the hiring manager should contact Talent Acquisition for assistance in determining the appropriate alternate contact: