Executive Director for Advancement Services and Business Intelligence - 198694

Pace-University; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision and dental insurance

403B retirement plan

Educational opportunities for employee

Pace Yourself to Wellness program

Discount purchase plans

Job summary

Pace University seeks an Executive Director for Advancement Services and Business Intelligence to lead data governance, prospect management, systems governance, and analytics across Development and Alumni Relations.

Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, you will oversee cross-functional teams, drive AI strategy, strengthen internal controls, and align donor engagement with institutional priorities in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in advancement services or related fields.
• Strong understanding of prospect development, fundraising operations, reporting, and systems governance.
• Deep knowledge of data analytics and cultivating a data-driven advancement operation.
• Experience working with CRM systems, reporting tools, and advancement technologies.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and applications relevant to advancement services, operational efficiency, analytics, donor engagement, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide operational or strategic initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead, assess, and reimagine new initiative.

Responsibilities

• Lead shared service functions that support fundraising, stewardship, engagement, and operational strategy.
• Provide strategic oversight of prospect development, analytics and business intelligence, systems governance, and process improvement.
• Partner with University leadership to improve efficiency, remove barriers, and strengthen effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and governance standards for internal controls, data integrity, compliance, and consistency.
• Serve as strategic advisor to DEVAR leadership on prospect strategy, reporting, planning, and improvements.
• Lead organizational change management tied to systems, BI solutions, and operations transformation.
• Provide leadership for AI-related strategy and applications within Advancement Services and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with privacy requirements, donor confidentiality, and ethical guidelines.
• Act as proactive strategic partner for frontline fundraisers.
• Oversee major gift prospect information sharing to educate on engagement and giving strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Data analytics

Communication

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Reporting tools

Advancement technologies

AI tools

Job description

• Location New York, NY, 10038,United States
• Base Pay $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 / Year
• Job Category FT Staff
• Employee Type FT Exempt Staff

Description

Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR), the Executive Director for Advancement Services and Business Intelligence serves as a member of the senior leadership team and will be the strategic and collaborative leader responsible for operationalizing advancement services initiatives across Development and Alumni Relations, including research and prospect management, data intelligence, systems, and gift administration. The Executive Director will oversee multiple cross-functional teams and lead innovative efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness, systems alignment, prospect strategy, data governance, and business intelligence solutions in support of the Pace’s fundraising and engagement goals.
The Executive Director partners closely with University leadership to improve organizational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, advance the strategic use of data and technology, and support long-term fundraising and engagement priorities. This role requires a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who can navigate complexity, lead organizational change, and build strong partnerships across the enterprise.This role requires an enterprise-minded leader with a broad understanding of the University and its operations, demonstrating knowledge that extends across departments rather than a single area of expertise. The successful candidate aligns constituent needs with institutional priorities while exemplifying the University's values through thoughtful decision-making and accountability. They possess exceptional communication skills, translating complex issues into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences. With a high degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, intellectual curiosity, and diplomacy, they proactively prioritize competing demands, negotiate effectively, and provide constructive feedback that strengthens the organization. They apply critical thinking to challenge conventional approaches, ask insightful questions informed by institutional experience, and lead with confidence to advance strategic goals. Through a multiplier leadership mindset, they foster collaboration across functions, consider the broader organizational impact of decisions, and serve as a trusted coach and partner to staff, leaders, volunteers, deans, and University leadership.

Position Duties

• Lead and enhance department-wide shared service functions that support fundraising, stewardship, engagement, and operational strategy.
• Provide strategic oversight of prospect development, prospect management, data analytics and business intelligence, systems governance, and operational process improvement initiatives.
• Partner with University leadership to improve efficiency, remove operational barriers, and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and governance standards that ensure strong internal controls, data integrity, compliance, and operational consistency.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to DEVAR leadership, providing guidance on prospect strategy, reporting, operational planning, reporting prioritization, and procedural improvements.
• Lead organizational change management efforts tied to systems, business intelligence solutions, and operational transformation.
• Provide leadership and oversight for AI-related strategy and operational applications within Advancement Services and cross-functional Development teams.
• Ensure compliance with legal privacy requirements, donor confidentiality standards, and ethical guidelines.
• Act as a proactive strategic partner for frontline fundraisers.
• In conjunction with the development officers, oversee and provide guidance on the major gift prospect, delivering information about new and known donors to educate on potential prospect engagement and giving strategies.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively lead and manage teams, staff, and volunteers by maximizing the strengths and potential of each individual. Successfully develops and executes comprehensive departmental, project, and program strategy. Effectively manages relationships, projects, and resources with minimal oversight.
• Serve as a member of the department's senior leadership team.
• Present and represent projects to University leadership.
• Bring new best practices and innovation to the organization.
• Set goals and manage budgets and meet deadlines for themselves and the team.
• Drive area forward to achieve goals within their job purview.
• Demonstrate specialized knowledge, experience, skill set.
• Effectively collaborate with your supervisors and University partners across the enterprise.
• Able to create, deploy, and execute increasingly complex projects.
• Set direction and approach in partnership with assigned RU leader's vision.
• Able to adapt to changing situations and partner or leadership changes.
• Create, lead, and execute University-wide operational related initiatives.
• Develop strategy with input of cross-functional teams to negotiate and influence solutions.
• Demonstrate an ability to set priorities and determine strategy for multiple units/departments, including staffing and budgets.
• Design the employee experience for a department/program.
• Performs other such duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with demonstrated success and progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement services, operations, fundraising, higher education, analytics, nonprofit management, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of prospect development, fundraising operations, reporting, and systems governance.
• Deep knowledge and proven success in data analytics and cultivating a data-driven advancement operation.
• Experience working with CRM systems, reporting tools, and advancement technologies.
• Working knowledge of AI tools and applications relevant to advancement services, operational efficiency, analytics, donor engagement, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide operational or strategic initiatives.
• Experience leading organizational change management initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead, assess, and reimagine new initiative.

About the Institution

Ranked in the top 9% of private US colleges that provide the best return on tuition investment, Pace University transforms the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. Currently, the University enrolls more than 13,000 students in more than 150 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Pace University is at the forefront of creating opportunity. Through the convergence of strong academics, experiential learning, and dedicated advising, Pace University empowers its students and positively impacts its communities.

Benefits Offered

Pace University provides a competitive benefit program designed to offer the following:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance for preventive care or diagnostic and surgical procedures as well as an incentivized medical plan waiver option for those who choose not to participate (FT Employees).
• Income protection in the event an employee is not actively at work, due to illness (FT Employees).
• 403B investment opportunity to save toward financial security in retirement (PT and FT Employees).
• Programs and services that assist in balancing work and personal life (PT and FT Employees).
• Educational opportunities for the employee and eligible members of their family to pursue a degree at Pace or another higher education institution (PT and FT Employees).
• Opportunity for faculty and staff to participate in Pace’s award-winning health and wellness program, Pace Yourself to Wellness , which is designed to inspire employees to engage in healthy habits while optimizing health care resources (PT and FT Employees).
• Discount purchase plans for everything from entertainment, shopping and travel (PT and FT Employees).

AA/EEO Statement

Pace University is committed to achieving full equal opportunity in all aspects of University life. Pursuant to this commitment, the University does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender or gender identity; race; color; national origin; religion; creed; age; disability; citizenship; marital or domestic partnership status; sexual orientation or affectional status; genetic predisposition or carrier status; military or veteran status; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking; or any other characteristic protected by law federal, state or local law, rule or regulation.

Annual Security Report Notice

Pace is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the University. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University's Safety and Security department publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which can be accessed here . The report contains information on security policies as well as crime and fire statistics for the University.

Additional Information

• Salary Range $180,000 - $200,000
• Work Mode Hybrid
• Department Name Development and Alumni Relations