NSU Director of Digtal Strategy

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Norfolk, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk State University (NSU) is seeking a Director of Digital Strategy to serve as a trusted advisor to Advancement leadership on technology, innovation, and digital engagement strategy. This role will identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies to enhance fundraising effectiveness and operational efficiency. The Director will lead innovation initiatives to modernize advancement operations and oversee the implementation and optimization of advancement/fundraising CRM systems and digital fundraising platforms. The position also involves driving continuous improvement of advancement systems, supporting large-scale digital initiatives, leveraging data analytics to map and optimize the donor lifecycle, and developing segmentation and personalization strategies. The Director will translate complex data into actionable insights, advance prospect development strategies, build AI-enabled pipelines, and partner with campus stakeholders to align digital engagement strategies with institutional priorities. Collaboration on integrated campaigns, events, and initiatives to elevate the university's brand and philanthropic outcomes is also a key aspect of this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in marketing, information systems, data analytics, communications, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in digital strategy, advancement services, fundraising technology, or a related area.
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing CRM systems or digital fundraising platforms within a complex organization.
• Proven ability to analyze data and translate insights into strategic recommendations.
• Strong project management skills with experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively with sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education advancement or nonprofit fundraising environments.
• Knowledge of predictive analytics, AI-enabled tools, and advanced data visualization techniques.
• Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns or major gift programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and drive adoption of new technologies across teams.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to Advancement leadership on technology, innovation, and digital engagement strategy.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies (e.g., AI, automation, predictive analytics) to enhance fundraising effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Lead innovation initiatives that modernize advancement operations and position the division for future growth.
• Oversee the implementation, optimization, and integration of advancement/fundraising CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge) and digital fundraising platforms.
• Drive continuous improvement of advancement systems to ensure data integrity, usability, and alignment with campaign goals.
• Support large-scale digital initiatives, including website redesigns and platform enhancements that strengthen constituent engagement.
• Leverage data analytics to map and optimize the full donor lifecycle.
• Develop segmentation and personalization strategies to enhance donor acquisition, retention, and lifetime value.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights and compelling narratives for decision-making.
• Advance prospect development strategies through predictive modeling and data-driven identification of high-capacity donors.
• Build and sustain AI-enabled pipelines that support major gifts, annual giving, and campaign initiatives.
• Partner with campus stakeholders, faculty, the Office of Information Technology, academic units, and alumni to align digital engagement strategies with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate on integrated campaigns, events, and initiatives that elevate the university's brand and philanthropic outcomes.

Benefits

• Equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior