Senior Director of Advancement Technology and Intelligence

DePauw University•Greencastle, IN

13d

About The Position

The Senior Director of Advancement Technology and Intelligence leads the data, technology, analytics, prospect development, gift administration, and operational infrastructure for DePauw University's Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE) program. The role joins the University during the selection and implementation of its next customer relationship management (CRM) platform. The Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement is the executive sponsor, while the Senior Director is the primary DAE leader responsible for implementation and adoption. The CRM transition is intended to redesign how DAE manages relationships, information, workflows, and decision-making—not merely replace its database. The Senior Director will build the next generation of advancement intelligence and operations, turning constituent, philanthropic, engagement, financial, and external data into actionable insights that improve fundraising performance, alumni engagement, resource allocation, and institutional decision-making. The role leads responsible adoption of AI, predictive and prescriptive analytics, automation, data visualization, and emerging technologies while maintaining strong governance, ethical data practices, sound processes, and reliable systems. The position provides strategic leadership across the advancement technology ecosystem, data governance and quality, prospect development, gift and financial operations, performance analysis, and organizational change. It also manages the department budget and recruits, leads, coaches, and develops a high-performing team. The role requires extensive collaboration across DAE, Information Services, Finance, other University divisions, vendors, and implementation partners. The work is performed in an office environment with flexibility consistent with University policy, and limited travel may be required. The position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship. DePauw states that the position will remain open until filled.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and significant relevant professional experience.
Minimum seven years of experience; ten years preferred.
Significant professional experience in and understanding of advancement operations, CRM implementation, data strategy, business intelligence, analytics, fundraising operations, technology transformation, or another complex, data-dependent environment.
Demonstrated experience leading a significant CRM, enterprise system, data migration, digital transformation, or comparable organizational change initiative.
Ability to design, manage, and troubleshoot system integrations using APIs and other methods to ensure reliable, secure data exchange across enterprise platforms.
Ability to lead data preparation, migration, validation, testing, business-process redesign, training, and user adoption.
Ability to translate data and analysis into strategic recommendations and organizational action.
Experience leading professional staff and complex cross-functional initiatives involving technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
Strong understanding of relational data, data structures, reporting and visualization, integrations, and contemporary information systems.
Ability to understand complex business problems and determine how data, technology, process improvement, automation, or analytics can address them.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate between technical experts, functional users, senior leaders, and external partners.
Curiosity, strategic thinking, and willingness to challenge established assumptions and practices when better approaches are available.
Proven computer systems experience, knowledge, and technical abilities to manage complex information systems and electronic databases in multi-user, campus, and networked personal computer environments.
Systems experience working with and directing staff in data management, report-writing tools and data modeling, systems management, and personal computer hardware and software support.
Experience and training in systems such as Oracle, SQL, PL/SQL, Unix, structured programming, data models, setup, and Crystal Reports reporting design, implementation, and support.
Competencies include accountability, analytical skills, coaching and development, oral and written communication, creativity, diversity orientation, interpersonal skills, management, organization, problem-solving, and technical aptitude.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of relevant experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead DAE's functional work in selecting, implementing, launching, and optimizing the University's next advancement CRM in partnership with the Vice President, Information Services, vendors, consultants, DAE leadership, and campus stakeholders.
Redesign business processes as part of the CRM transition; map current and future processes and determine which workflows to simplify, standardize, automate, redesign, or discontinue.
Set expectations for system use, data entry, relationship and portfolio management, and reporting; measure adoption and identify needed training, process changes, system configuration, or management intervention.
Lead assessment of advancement data and determine what should be migrated, transformed, consolidated, archived, or retired.
Build an advancement intelligence function that advances DAE from descriptive reporting toward diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis.
Translate complex data into insights, recommendations, and actions for DAE professionals, University leadership, and governance bodies.
Develop segmentation, scoring, forecasting, propensity, pipeline, portfolio, and other analytical models; foster data-informed testing and continuous improvement; and move routine reporting toward self-service tools.
Lead responsible exploration and adoption of AI, machine learning, automation, and emerging technologies; identify practical applications and integrate them into DAE workflows and the CRM when they demonstrably improve performance or constituent experience.
Provide strategic leadership for the advancement technology ecosystem, including CRM, business intelligence and reporting, research platforms, digital engagement tools, integrations, and related technologies.
Ensure technology supports a holistic view of constituent relationships and partner with Information Services and campus colleagues on integrations and shared data structures.
Manage vendor relationships and evaluate technology investments based on utilization, strategic value, effectiveness, and return on investment.
Ensure advancement data accuracy, integrity, accessibility, security, and appropriate use; establish data definitions, governance standards, documentation, ownership, quality controls, and accountability.
Represent DAE in University-wide data governance, administrative computing, and enterprise technology discussions; establish processes to identify and correct data-quality problems; and reduce manual reconciliation, duplicate structures, shadow systems, and unnecessary complexity.
Provide systems-based strategic leadership for prospect research, prospect identification, portfolio management, and relationship management.
Oversee gift processing, receipting, gift administration, reconciliation, and related financial operations; ensure gifts are recorded accurately and in accordance with donor intent, University policy, accounting requirements, and industry standards.
Partner with Finance, Donor Relations, and other University colleagues to provide appropriate visibility into gift activity, fund use, balances, commitments, and donor restrictions; maintain controls while evaluating process improvements.
Manage a cost-center budget within the Development & Alumni Engagement Division.
Advise the Vice President and DAE leadership on fundraising performance, constituent strategy, operational capacity, technology, data, and resource allocation; provide leaders and boards with decision-oriented analysis of performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
Lead cross-functional initiatives integrating fundraising strategy, technology, data, operations, and organizational change; establish priorities based on strategic impact and develop appropriate service models and self-service capabilities.
Recruit, lead, coach, and develop a team spanning data, analytics, systems, prospect development, gift administration, and financial operations.
Build data and analytical fluency across DAE through training and documentation standards, and foster curiosity, experimentation, accountability, collaboration, service, and continuous improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical insurance for full-time benefits-eligible employees
Dental insurance for full-time benefits-eligible employees
Vision insurance for full-time benefits-eligible employees
Basic life insurance paid by DePauw University
Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance paid by DePauw University
Long-term disability insurance paid by DePauw University
Optional additional voluntary life insurance for employees and dependents
Additional voluntary benefits
Tuition Remission and Exchange
Relocation Allowance
Retirement savings plan available to all employees
Employee discounts and access to University resources
Vacation, personal, and sick time under University policies
Cigna Employee Assistance benefit for employees and their households
Access to the Welch Fitness Center and wellness classes, Indoor Tennis and Track Center, University Libraries, Peeler art galleries, Green Center for the Performing Arts events and programs, Ubben lecture series, and free athletic events
Bookstore and Starbucks discounts in Greencastle
Employee-discounted meal plan
Free parking
Nature park with walking and biking trails
Personal duplicating and printing discounts