The Executive Director of Advancement Information Services is responsible for the data platforms and programs that support the Advancement division. In particular, the executive director leads the analytics team, providing a data-driven approach to fundraising, and has oversight and responsibility for the following key areas:

• efficient utilization and maintenance of the constituent management system – demographics, giving and volunteer service

• providing data and recommendations related to donor analysis, donor assignment, donor strategy development and future campaign fundraising goals

• provides annual summary of untapped or under-tapped donor potential – opportunities for growth

• oversight for all gift data

• creating and maintaining dashboards for the Advancement Office and key stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of programs

• creating and maintaining a donor portal, modeled off the idea of an investment portal an individual might have for a retirement account, allowing access to demographic and philanthropic information related to Hamilton, as well as serving as an active alumni directory and a space where students can connect with alumni about professions. Hamilton will be the first in higher ed to provide this 24/7 online service.

• leadership in system implementations, conversions, and upgrades,

• ensuring seamless operations to support fundraising and engagement efforts.

• Identifying trends and bringing them to the appropriate division with suggestions to address them

• Providing the data and structure for data that is shared publicly in Board presentations, publications (ie. Impact), and the senior leadership of the College

• Present as necessary to the Advancement Division, College leadership and Board of Trustees

The Hamilton Advancement Information Services team is currently undertaking a conversion to the Kindsight platform, formerly known as ‘ascend’, and through 2024 and into 2025, the executive director will manage that conversion and also the integration of all collaborative workstreams with the Workday platform, which is a conversion the College is conducting simultaneously.

This is an exempt position with a pay range of $115,000 - $140,000.

Responsibilities

The executive director leads a team of eleven professionals who work in the areas of Prospect Research, Gift Processing, Advancement Services and Analytics. Additionally, this individual promotes leadership within this dedicated team to provide advancement services while contributing to the strategic alignment and success of the Advancement Office and the College.

1. Reporting and Analytics: Through leadership of the analytics team, designs and implements a robust structure for data analytics, dashboards, and reporting. Facilitates informed decision making. Ensures data integrity while identifying donor trends. Supervising the AIS team, facilitates accurate and timely completion of external surveys.

2. Software Management and Innovation: Oversees all Advancement systems and the personnel who work with it. Also provides oversight of the data steward and collaborates with this individual and LITS as required. Serves on the Campus-wide EIC. Responsible for department-wide efforts related to the CRM, overseeing its effective utilization. Serves as a leader in the training and application of the constituent database, ensuring that all systems and business processes integrate and perform effectively. Works with the AIS team to successfully complete the system conversion and any upgrades. Leads the effort for design and implementation of a donor portal. Works with the entire Advancement team to maximize the CRM’s capabilities.

3. Donor Portal Creator: Coordinates the work of the AIS team with the guidance of other colleagues across the Advancement division and in conjunction with the LITS team to develop the first on-line, one-stop portal for alumni and students. The portal will provide the user with the ability to update their own demographic information, access their gift history and the impact of their giving through links to stewardship reports, connect alumni with each other via an active directory, allow alumni to identify special areas of interest and provide an active space for alumni and students to connect around careers.

4. Data Governance and Compliance with Oversight of Gift Processing: Ensures strict adherence to fundraising regulations, policies and best practices to uphold the accuracy, integrity and security of constituent data. Oversees the Gift Processing team so that gift, pledge and receipt processes are accurate and responsive to Hamilton’s donors. Adheres to IRS, financial accounting standards regulations, auditors’ requirements, the payment card industry and CASE practices.

5. Strategic Alignment: Serves as the primary liaison with LITS to foster collaboration and ensure strategic alignment as well as to ensure the CRM operates effectively. Works with the LITS data security team to ensure all data security protocols are followed. Serves as the primary liaison with Hamilton’s Business Office on financial reporting, fund reconciliations, review of gift processes and controls and auditing schedule/requirements.

6. Prospect Research: Oversees donor discovery and prospect research in support of the president’s office and Advancement’s gift officers including the Hamilton Fund. The Executive Director is an authority on all prospect development matters and serves as counsel to the office’s Senior Leadership Team. Takes the lead on prospect management, prospecting and prospective and current donor research, tracking and reporting with a formalized roadmap for identifying and qualifying new principal, major and planned gift prospects. This includes analysis related to donor potential and inclination as it relates to goal setting.

7. Programmatic Analytics: Drives the strategic evaluation of constituent and prospect research programs, analyzes data and information and provides solutions for the advancement of office and institutional goals. Cultivates relationships with colleagues across the College to grow a culture of increased philanthropy in line with the organization’s mission, vision and values. Lays the foundation for and gives direction to the fundraising process by way of comprehensive and strategic analysis of the donor pipeline, philanthropic giving trends, and presentation of meaningful data as it relates to ongoing fundraising activities and campaign initiatives. Works closely with the Engagement, Events and Promotions team to support their work. Collaborates with the Executive Director, Development and Director of Individual Giving on prospect management metrics and data needs to address strategic initiatives.

8. Staff Management: Promotes a culture of excellence, teamwork and collaboration. Provides clear direction and sets priorities while fostering a supportive environment for growth. Identifies goals for each team member, offering guidance, support and professional development opportunities.

9. Budget: Prepares an annual departmental budget working in conjunction with the Executive Director, Advancement Operations and the Vice President for Advancement.

Bachelors required and Masters preferred. Demonstrated proficiency in relational database management. Prior Higher Ed experience desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Higher Ed fundraising with a dedication to philanthropic support

• Alignment with Hamilton’s values and missions, including an ability to carry out the College’s strategic initiatives

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

• Leadership skills

• Ability to successfully manage a team

• Deep knowledge/proficiency of CRM systems, system administration, networking, relational databases, programming and documentation techniques.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills

Please submit cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Hamilton College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes diversity in all of its forms and a wide array of cultural experiences as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in these areas.