Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Campaign Operations

Indiana Wesleyan University•Marion, IA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and Campaign Operations (AVPUACO) serves as the chief operational advisor to the Vice President for University Advancement. This position provides leadership for departmental operations, project management, advancement services, and organizational effectiveness. The AVPUACO serves as a key member of the Advancement leadership team, ensuring alignment across all functional areas of Advancement and promoting efficient processes, effective communication, and accountability to departmental goals. The AVPUACO acts on behalf of the Vice President as delegated and serves as a trusted advisor on operational, strategic, and organizational matters.

Requirements

Possess an earned graduate degree or substantial work experience in Advancement Operations leadership position(s)
Possess five to seven (5-7) years of experience in project and operations management and data reporting within the context of higher education and/or non-profit fundraising
Possess experience working within a comprehensive campaign
Demonstrate ability to work with colleagues who represent a diversity of work and conflict resolution styles
Demonstrate an understanding of the features of various fundraising efforts, donor expectations, and delivery of quality communication through various platforms
Exhibit the ability to lead a team and inspire its highest level of performance
Demonstrate exceptional writing and interpersonal skills
Possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Responsibilities

Serve as strategic advisor to the Vice President for University Advancement
Coordinate initiatives that span multiple Advancement functions and campus partners
Identify operational risks, opportunities, and process improvements to support departmental effectiveness
Provide analysis, recommendations, and strategic insight to ensure alignment with and execution of key Advancement priorities and initiatives
Represent the Vice President in meetings and projects as assigned
Develop, implement, and monitor operational policies, procedures, and workflows across Advancement
Oversee departmental project management systems
Oversee the use of data, reporting, and analytics to support strategic decision-making, ensuring Advancement leaders have access to meaningful performance metrics and analysis
Provide strategic oversight of the annual giving program, including establishing performance metrics, monitoring results, and ensuring alignment with overall fundraising strategy and institutional priorities
Monitor and analyze fundraising, stewardship, engagement, and operational metrics to support organizational effectiveness
Oversee management of donor files and database structure to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the development team
Monitor and analyze data related to gift officer activity, donor base, and donor engagement to maximize performance across the full fundraising cycle
Hire, orient, train, coach, and evaluate performance of Advancement Operations personnel, building a culture of excellence where each team member is inspired to achieve their highest potential and to encourage colleagues to do likewise
Develop, implement, and oversee position objectives, strategies, and tactics for Advancement Operations staff, establishing measurable goals for each position and tracking progress on a monthly and annual basis
Coach staff individually and collectively to address performance challenges, recognize and reward strong performance and teamwork, and proactively address ongoing performance or team culture concerns
Oversee efforts of the Advancement Services team by working closely with the director to ensure that all unit functions operate at a highly effective level
Provide strategic leadership for all campaign operations, systems, and infrastructure to ensure successful achievement of fundraising goals
Serve as the operational architect for campaign planning, implementation, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement
Lead enterprise-wide fundraising analytics, reporting, and data governance to support informed decision-making and campaign accountability
Direct prospect development, portfolio strategy, and pipeline management to maximize philanthropic opportunity and campaign outcomes
Ensure excellence in gift administration, campaign counting, compliance, and stewardship practices
Partner with advancement leadership, volunteers, and institutional stakeholders to align campaign execution with the organization's strategic priorities
Foster a collaborative and inclusive spirit among the UA team and the IWU community
Demonstrate commitment to IWU values of Kindness, Humility, Belonging, Integrity, Courage, Innovation, and Agility
Model high-impact hospitality in all interactions with donors, guests, constituents, and students, going the extra mile to deliver service and communication with excellence
Participate in training seminars and conferences for ongoing professional development in communication and operations management related to Advancement
Stay informed of emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in Advancement operations, data strategy, and organizational effectiveness
Provide direct supervision to the Director of Annual Giving, Assistant Director of Advancement Research and Relationship Management, and Director of Advancement Services.
Provide oversight of advancement services operations, annual giving, and prospect research and management functions.
Assist in providing oversight of other Advancement personnel, as needed, during periods when the Vice President for University Advancement is unavailable.