Strategic Initiatives & Advancement Operations Lead

Midwestern University; Glendale, Downers Grove (AZ, IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Midwestern University is seeking a Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement Operations to lead strategic planning, campaign readiness, and advancement operations across its Glendale and Downers Grove campuses. The role partners with university leadership to translate priorities into integrated fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and data-driven decision making.

You will oversee research, wealth screening, gift administration, and reporting, while ensuring operational excellence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field is required.
• Minimum seven to ten years of progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement, development, fundraising operations, alumni relations, or related fields, preferably in higher education or nonprofit contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of multi-year advancement strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Translate executive objectives into actionable project plans, budgets, timelines, and performance indicators.
• Oversee campaign planning, readiness assessments, case development, prospect segmentation, and fundraising strategy for major initiatives.
• Manage prospect research, wealth screening, donor analytics, and pipeline development to identify and prioritize fundraising opportunities.
• Provide leadership for advancement operations including data governance, gift processing, and reporting systems.
• Develop dashboards and analytics to inform leadership, donors, and boards; drive data-informed decision making.
• Coordinate cross-campus collaboration with academic and administrative leadership to advance philanthropy and donor engagement.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Communications, or related field

Job description

Midwestern University is seeking a Director of Strategic Initiatives and Advancement Operations to lead strategic planning, campaign readiness, and advancement operations across its Glendale and Downers Grove campuses. The role partners with university leadership to translate priorities into integrated fundraising strategies, donor engagement, and data-driven decision making.

You will oversee research, wealth screening, gift administration, and reporting, while ensuring operational excellence