Director of Advancement Services & Operations

The Director of Advancement Services & Operationsis responsible for overseeing the infrastructure and operational support for South Carolina State University’s fundraising and donor engagement activities. This role provides leadership in gift processing, data management, donor stewardship, prospect research, and reporting to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of the university’s Institutional Advancement efforts. The Director will develop and implement best practices for donor recognition, data integrity, and financial reconciliation while working closely with development officers, finance teams, and university leadership.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and experience in advancement services, stewardship, and fundraising operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

Advancement Services & Data Management:

• Oversee donor database management, ensuring accurate and timely entry of gifts, pledges, and donor records.
• Develop and enforce data integrity policies and best practices for donor and alumni records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
• Lead efforts to analyze fundraising trends, campaign performance, and donor giving patterns to support fundraising strategies.
• Ensure alignment between advancement services and finance in reconciliation of donations, financial reporting, and compliance with IRS and CASE standards.
• Manage the gift processing team, ensuring efficient and accurate documentation and acknowledgment of donations.
• Maintain and oversee data security, donor confidentiality, and compliance with university policies related to fundraising operations.

Stewardship & Donor Recognition:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship program to enhance donor engagement and retention.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create impactful donor communications and stewardship materials.
  • Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.
  • High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and ability to problem-solve in a complex environment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with donors, university leadership, and advancement staff. Oversee the creation of thank-you letters, impact reports, donor recognition programs, and special stewardship communications.
    • Advanced knowledge of gift processing, data analytics, financial reconciliation, and fundraising compliance standards.
    • Experience with prospect research tools (i.e., WealthEngine, iWave, or DonorSearch) and fundraising analytics.
    • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and data visualization tools.
    • Understanding of CASE, AFP, and IRS regulations regarding philanthropy and donor stewardship.

    Communication & Organizational Skills:

    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create impactful donor communications and stewardship materials.
    • Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.
    • High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and ability to problem-solve in a complex environment.
    • Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with donors, university leadership, and advancement staff.
    • Coordinate with development officers to provide customized stewardship plans for major donors and endowed gift contributors.
    • Manage naming opportunities, donor walls, and other forms of public recognition for key supporters.
    • Plan and execute donor appreciation events, including recognition ceremonies, gift impact luncheons, and scholarship donor-student receptions.

    Prospect Research & Fundraising Analytics:

    • Conduct prospect research and wealth screening to identify potential major gift donors, corporate partners, and foundation funders.
    • Provide data-driven insights and reports to support fundraising campaigns, major gift solicitations, and donor pipeline development.
    • Work closely with development officers and university leadership to create fundraising performance dashboards and analytics reports.

    Leadership & Collaboration:

    • Serve as a key member of the Institutional Advancement leadership team, contributing to strategy development and long-term planning.
    • Partner with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement & External Affairs to enhance fundraising operations and donor engagement.
    • Supervise and mentor advancement services and stewardship staff, ensuring high performance and professional development.
    • Work collaboratively with university leadership, finance, alumni relations, and academic units to strengthen fundraising efforts.

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, nonprofit management, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education fundraising and advancement services.
• Knowledge of fund accounting, fundraising reporting, and reconciliation practices.
• Experience managing naming opportunities, endowment stewardship, and donor recognition programs.

SC STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY