Executive Director, Advancement Data Analytics

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Daytona Beach, FL

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About The Position

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Executive Director, Advancement Data Analytics. This position provides leadership for the advancement data strategy, data quality, analytics, governance, and information management functions within Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. The Executive Director is responsible for establishing and leading a comprehensive advancement data services program that ensures the integrity, accessibility, quality, and strategic use of constituent and fundraising data. This role serves as a key partner to advancement leadership, providing actionable insights that support fundraising performance, donor engagement, campaign execution, forecasting, and executive decision-making. Working collaboratively across Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Information Services, Institutional Reporting, and other university stakeholders, the Executive Director develops and implements data strategies, governance frameworks, performance metrics, and operational processes that strengthen the university's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. This position plays a critical role in advancing a data-informed culture by ensuring advancement data is accurate, reliable, secure, and positioned to support both current and future organizational priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Management, or a related field.
• Eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in advancement services, advancement operations, information management, data quality, data governance, fundraising analytics, or a related field, preferably within higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, or similarly complex organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading data strategy, data quality initiatives, data governance programs, or records management functions.
• Experience managing staff and overseeing technical, operational, or data-focused workflows.
• Experience working with advancement CRM platforms, reporting tools, and constituent relationship management systems.
• Experience working with relational databases, reporting environments, and enterprise data structures.
• Experience managing multiple data sources, data integrations, third-party data providers, and cross-functional data processes.
• Experience with system implementations, upgrades, integrations, or major business process redesign initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of advancement services operations, fundraising data management, CASE reporting standards, gift compliance requirements, and advancement data governance principles.
• Ability to develop and implement data governance frameworks, quality standards, and performance metrics that support organizational goals.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to identify trends and develop actionable solutions.
• Ability to translate complex technical and data-related issues into practical business recommendations and operational improvements.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and work effectively across departments and stakeholder groups.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop teams, manage priorities, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to manage confidential information appropriately.
• Strong commitment to customer service, accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within higher education advancement, university fundraising, alumni relations, healthcare philanthropy, or large nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with advancement technology platforms and tools such as Kindful, EverTrue, GiveCampus, Ascend, or similar advancement and fundraising solutions.
• Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns, donor analytics, prospect development, stewardship reporting, or advancement performance measurement.
• Knowledge of enterprise data governance frameworks and institutional reporting environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the advancement data quality, analytics, strategy, and governance functions in support of fundraising, alumni engagement, and campaign goals.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership by providing insights related to fundraising performance, donor engagement, campaign progress, forecasting, and operational effectiveness.
• Develop and implement a multi-year roadmap for advancement data management and analytics aligned with university priorities and business objectives.
• Establish performance metrics, benchmarks, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to measure data health, operational effectiveness, and fundraising outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, strengthen decision-making, and increase the division's ability to leverage data strategically.
• Develop and oversee a comprehensive data quality program focused on improving the accuracy, completeness, consistency, and reliability of advancement data.
• Establish standards, procedures, and controls that support continuous improvement and long-term data integrity.
• Oversee master data management processes, including record creation, maintenance, deduplication, cleansing, merging, and data governance activities.
• Manage constituent information updates and ensure accurate maintenance of alumni, donor, corporate, foundation, and other constituent records.
• Develop monitoring tools, scorecards, dashboards, and trend analyses to evaluate and improve data quality performance.
• Lead advancement data governance efforts in collaboration with university stakeholders and enterprise data governance initiatives.
• Establish and maintain standards for data stewardship, access, security, definitions, business rules, and appropriate data usage.
• Ensure data-related requirements are documented, communicated, and incorporated into operational planning and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with campus partners to address issues related to data sourcing, integration, storage, reporting, and accessibility.
• Promote shared accountability and stewardship of advancement data across the organization.
• Provide leadership and oversight for advancement records, reporting and analytics, gift processing, and related information management functions.
• Establish service standards, internal controls, quality assurance measures, and reconciliation processes that support operational excellence.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives designed to streamline workflows, reduce manual effort, and improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Manage internal and external data flows, ensuring effective data exchange, processing, validation, and reporting.
• Foster a service-oriented culture that supports frontline fundraisers, alumni engagement professionals, and university partners.
• Partner with advancement leadership, fundraising teams, alumni engagement staff, Information Services, Institutional Reporting, and other stakeholders to advance data-driven decision-making.
• Support the development and implementation of data practices that enhance fundraising strategy, stewardship, campaign reporting, prospect development, and constituent engagement.
• Serve as a trusted resource on advancement data management, governance, reporting, and analytics.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships that promote collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure advancement data practices balance integrity, usability, compliance, and responsiveness to organizational needs.

Benefits

• 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year.
• 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree.
• Discounted tuition rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan.
• ERAU offers a 4% matching contribution to your retirement plan – with no vesting period.
• 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

What This Job Offers

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