Training Manager, Advancement

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Acceptance Testing, Alumni Relations, Board Meeting, Business Processes, Change Management, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Customer Acquisition, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Data Warehousing, Database Report Tools, Documentation, Driver's License, Educational Technology, Establish Priorities, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Fundraising, Hardware Virtualization, Higher Education, Human Resources, Identify Issues, Information Science, Information/Data Security (InfoSec), Instructional Design, Interpersonal Skills, Knowledge Base, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Metrics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Product Family, Microsoft SharePoint, Needs Assessment, Onboarding, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Product Lifecycle, Quality Assurance, System Test, Systems Administration/Management, Systems Maintenance, Team Player, Technical Delivery, Technical Support, Test Plan/Schedule, Time Management, Training Program, Training Program Development, Training Program Evaluation, Training/Teaching, Training/Teaching Curriculum, Training/Teaching Materials, Webinar, Writing Skills, eLearning
LOCATION
Syracuse, NY
POSTED
15 days ago

This role is responsible for designing, developing, and delivering technology training programs that build proficiency and confidence among AEA staff across the division's full technology stack, including the Blackbaud CRM (CITRUS), data warehouse reporting tools, Microsoft 365, and related enterprise systems. The position conducts ongoing training needs assessments, maintains a current and accessible library of user documentation and knowledge base articles, and delivers structured technology onboarding for new AEA staff. The Advancement Systems Training Manager also supports light technical development work in collaboration with the Advancement Systems team, contributing to system enhancements and configuration changes that inform and improve training content and end-user adoption. As AEA continues to modernize its technology infrastructure, the Advancement Systems Training Manager serves as a key change management resource, translating system changes and new development initiatives into structured adoption strategies that reduce disruption and accelerate staff proficiency. By bridging the gap between technical system capabilities and effective end-user adoption, the Advancement Systems Training Manager plays a critical role in maximizing the division's investment in technology and enabling staff to perform their roles efficiently in support of AEA's fundraising and engagement mission.

The Division of Advancement & External Affairs expresses a shared mission that is collaborative, trusted, respectful, future-focused and is aligned with the overall University. All current and new employees embrace and demonstrate dedication to promoting shared values in an inclusive work culture to propel the future of advancement operations in their everyday work.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Instructional Technology, Education, Information Science, Communications, or a related field is required; a master's degree is preferred.
  • Minimum of three years of experience in training, instructional design, or technology support in a complex organizational environment is required.
  • Prior experience in higher education advancement, alumni relations, or development operations is strongly preferred.
  • Valid Driver's license is required.

Skills and Knowledge

  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical systems into clear, accessible training content for non-technical audiences is essential.
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel) and proficiency in virtual meeting platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom are required, including experience managing webinar-style and hybrid meeting configurations for executive-level audiences.
  • Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM or comparable advancement CRM systems is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with instructional design principles and e-learning or knowledge base platforms (such as SharePoint, Confluence, or similar) is desirable.
  • The ability to remain composed, diagnose problems quickly, and communicate clearly under pressure during live technology events is critical.
  • Strong interpersonal, written communication, and presentation skills are required, as this role regularly engages with staff across all levels of the division and with external stakeholders including trustees and donors.

Responsibilities

  • Training Design and Delivery - Design, develop, and deliver training programs for AEA staff on the Advancement technology stack, including the Blackbaud CRM (CITRUS), data warehouse reporting tools, Microsoft 365 productivity suite, and other enterprise platforms in use across the division. Maintain and update training curriculum, user guides, quick-reference materials, and video tutorials to reflect system upgrades, new feature releases, and evolving business processes. Deliver training through a variety of modalities including in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and self-service knowledge base resources.
  • Systems Development and Technical Collaboration - Partner with the Advancement Systems team to support configuration updates, system enhancements, and testing activities within Blackbaud CRM and related advancement platforms. Translate hands-on technical involvement into improved training content and user documentation, ensuring training materials accurately reflect current system behavior and workflows. Participate in quality assurance and user acceptance testing to develop practical, experience-grounded instructional resources.
  • Change Management and Adoption - Serve as a primary change management resource for technology transitions, system upgrades, and new development releases across AEA. Collaborate with developers and the Advancement Systems team during the development lifecycle to anticipate end-user impact, shape communication strategies, and prepare training interventions in advance of go-live. Partner with unit managers and division leadership to support staff through technology change, reducing adoption friction and sustaining productivity during transitions.
  • Meeting and Event Technology Support - Provide technical support for virtual and hybrid AEA board meetings, advancement committee sessions, and donor engagement events as needed.
  • Needs Assessment and Training Plan - Conduct ongoing training needs assessments across AEA functional areas by collaborating with unit managers, the Advancement Systems team, and end users. Identify skill gaps, prioritize training initiatives, and develop an annual training calendar aligned with system upgrade schedules, onboarding cycles, and divisional priorities. Track and report training completion metrics and assess the effectiveness of training programs through post-training evaluations and follow-up observation.
  • Onboarding Support - Coordinate and deliver technology onboarding for all new AEA staff, ensuring timely access to systems, completion of required data security and FERPA training modules, and foundational proficiency with core advancement tools. Collaborate with Human Resources, unit managers, and the Advancement Systems team to maintain and continuously improve a structured onboarding experience that accelerates new staff productivity.
  • Document and Knowledge Management - Maintain a centralized, accessible knowledge base of process documentation, system how-to guides, and training materials for AEA staff. Ensure documentation is current following system changes, business process revisions, or policy updates.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About the Company

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Syracuse University