Director of Advancement Services

Title: Director of Advancement Services

Location: Midtown

Org Unit: Revenue and IT

Work Days: Monday-Friday

Weekly Hours: 35.00

Exemption Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $165,500.00 - $193,900.00

• As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

Director of Advancement Services is a strategic and operational leader responsible for managing the revenue processing/gift administration team within the Operations Division of the Office of External Affairs (Development) and serves as a key partner in all areas of institutional advancement. This role is pivotal in ensuring the integrity of EA/Development Office policies, procedures, and CRM system, and leveraging these resources to drive strategic fundraising priorities and data-informed decision making. The Director will play a key role in long range and short-term planning in areas including database management and integrity, gift processing, demo/bio management, reporting and data analysis, and system and business process enhancement.

Job Responsibilities

• Member of EA Ops leadership team; provides info/guidance to fundraising leadership on progress, industry trends, legislation, etc. Collaborates regularly with other Advancement directors. Serves as resource to various internal/external constituencies.
• Oversees end-to-end cycle of revenue processing from gift acceptance through booking, transfer, receipting, reconciliation, reporting. Leads strategic and tactical planning for unit. Hires, trains, manages staff; develops/refines business processes.
• Interacts regularly with donors, advisors, fiduciaries, Finance, Budget, faculty, mission deans, gift officers, and colleagues at NYP and CU-Ithaca regarding gift transactions, restrictions, delivery of assets to the institution.
• Manages WCM compliance with IRS rules, regulatory reporting (DOE, charitable registrations, etc.) and industry best practices (CASE, FASB, etc.) for gift acceptance, processing, receipting, reporting. Develops/enforces relevant policies/procedures.
• Ensures complex contributions such as non-federal grants, non-marketable assets are handled accurately and compliantly. Collaborates with OGC on gift agreements and complex philanthropic transactions, and with Trusts Office on estate administration.
• Provides strategic leadership in partnering with Finance Dept to create stronger synergies and more effective processes. Collaborates with ITS and CRM/technology leadership on software integrations, implementations, and serves as SME on CEMI project teams.
• Communicates regularly with Finance, dept business officers, and other administrators, providing counsel on matters including gift handling, fund creation and management, revenue classification, gift acceptance, accounting policies and procedures, etc.
• Designs processes to optimize workflows; devises technological solutions such as custom reports and dashboards to monitor performance and quality control. Partners with tech staff to produce BI reports and visualizations for internal/external audiences.
• Partners closely with Prospect Management and Donor Relations staff in use, refinement, and enhancement of moves management protocols and analyses, demo/bio standards, donor stewardship initiatives, and end-user CRM training.
• Maintains professional affiliations and participates in professional associations (AASP, AFP, AHP, etc.) to expand knowledge and remain current on issues affecting non-profit gift administration for higher ed/healthcare.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required
• Advance degree preferred

Experience

At least 10 years of experience working in advancement services/development operations in higher education, academic medicine, or similarly complex or large organization (including at least 5 years of experience managing staff).

Comfort with complexity, ambiguity, and working in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep understanding and knowledge of best practices in fundraising and advancement services.
• Expertise in the management of information systems/CRMs, relational databases, and reporting/analysis/project management. Strong knowledge of fundraising CRMs (Blackbaud, Salesforce, etc.)
• Exceptional skills in written and oral communication, critical thinking, data analysis, problem solving, detail orientation, and quality assurance.
• Ability to deal effectively with a broad range of customers including donors, VIPs, senior administrators, legal counsel, mission deans, IT and Finance professionals, and frontline fundraisers.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations (IRS, NYPMIFA, GDPR, etc.) and reporting standards (CASE, FASB, GAAP, etc.) applicable to advancement services.

Licenses and Certifications

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Availability to work outside of normal business hours, as needed (especially during calendar and fiscal year-end).

This is a hybrid position; minimum 2-3 days per week on-site required.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "any person, any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.