Senior Associate Director Of Gift Operations

University Advancement - Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 78,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Senior Associate Director of Gift Operations to lead a team through 2027 and beyond. The role focuses on modernizing workflows, automating CRM processes, and upholding IRS and CASE guidelines while collaborating across campus.

The ideal candidate brings at least 5 years in nonprofit or higher education gift processing and proven team supervision, with strong CRM experience and a strategic mindset to drive long-term improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in gift operations for nonprofit or higher education.
• Experience supervising a team of full‑time gift operations professionals.
• Strong familiarity with nonprofit CRM platforms and data quality initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and elevate a team of gift operations professionals.
• Modernize workflows, automate CRM processes, and implement strategic improvements.
• Oversee gift processing, adjustments, and reporting with high accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with campus partners to optimize financial controls and banking relations.

Skills

Gift processing leadership

CRM proficiency

Strategic planning

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Shape the Future of Philanthropy at WashU!

Are you a visionary gift operations leader ready to bring modern strategy, curiosity, and high-level execution to a world-class institution?

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Senior Associate Director of Gift Operations to lead our talented team into 2027 and beyond. If you have a deep background in non-profit or higher education gift processing, love looking three to five steps ahead, and thrive on turning complex operational challenges into streamlined success, this role is for you.

What You’ll Do

• Lead & Elevate the Team: Supervise, mentor, and inspire a dedicated team of full-time gift operations professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Drive Strategic Vision & Innovation: Look beyond day-to-day processing to modernize workflows, automate manual CRM systems, and champion forward-thinking operational improvements.
• Ensure Accuracy & Quality Control: Oversee complex gift processing, adjustments, and reporting in our CRM (Affinaquest/Salesforce), setting rigorous standards for quality, consistency, and compliance with IRS and CASE guidelines.
• Collaborate Across Campus: Serve as a trusted partner to stakeholders, University Advancement leadership, and Gift, Endowment & Investment Accounting to optimize financial management, internal controls, and banking relationships.

What We're Looking For

• Experience: Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, including hands‑on background processing gifts for a non‑profit or higher education institution coupled with team supervision.
• Strategic & Analytical Mindset: Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needs, build metrics dashboards, address work quality head‑on, and execute long‑term strategic plans.
• Technical Acumen: Strong proficiency with non‑profit CRM platforms, fundraising technologies (Salesforce/Affinaquest experience a plus), and data quality initiatives.
• Curiosity & Drive: An eagerness to learn, a passion for process improvement, and the readiness to bring innovative, modern solutions to our gift operations.

Position Details

• Location: St. Louis, MO; relocation assistance is available
• Targeted Hiring Range: $78,000 – $88,000

Are you ready to take the next step in your advancement services career with this role?