Director of Advancement Operations

Williams College is pleased to announce a newly created opening for a Director of Advancement Operations. As the Director of Advancement Operations, you will provide strategic leadership for the College’s alumni, development, and career exploration technical infrastructure and serve as a key partner with colleagues in the Office of College Relations (OCR) to utilize software tools and data to drive fundraising, alumni engagement, and student exploration.  You will also partner with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to coordinate efforts across the institution.

We are beginning a multi-year implementation of a new CRM database along with enhancing all of the related processes, procedures, and reports.  The Advancement Operations department will be bifurcated for a period of time between keeping existing systems running and implementing new technology. As such, your role will be to maintain the daily operations of the department and oversee the areas of records management, reporting, prospect management, and data analytics. You will have front line managers as direct reports whom you will guide and assist to provide the best possible service and tools.

The technical team in Advancement Operations will continue to report to the AVP for Advancement Operations and focus their efforts on the new CRM implementation, but with a dotted line to you as the new Director.  You will play an integral role in the implementation by collaborating with the AVP throughout the implementation project. Additionally, you will use your experience in similar organizations to help us rethink our existing procedures and apply best practices as we move through a period of change.  
Williams is committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty and staff.  Our expectation is that the successful candidate will excel at working in a community that is broadly diverse with regard to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation,  religion, and other dimensions of identity.  
 

Qualifications

• Deep professional experience within complex and sophisticated non-profit institutions, with a preference for leadership in higher education advancement operations.
• Leadership skills, specifically managing across complex organizations; utilizing critical thinking, influence, and data-driven logic to shape business practices.
• Demonstrated personnel and program management experience; strong interpersonal and talent management skills including training, mentoring, and motivating, and building inclusive staff cultures.
• Superior technology skills are required, including an understanding of complex data management tools and data analytics; technical skill/experience with software development tools, and familiarity with computer programming, reporting, data visualization, and statistical software.
• Advanced degree preferred; a minimum of 8 or more years of highly relevant experience required. 
• Direct knowledge of and experience managing an effective advancement operations team with detailed knowledge of best practices for advancement operations and development programs. 
• Deep knowledge of best practices regarding advancement databases, research programs, strategy and analytics units.
• Knowledge of CASE reporting standards and management guidelines for educational fundraising as well as IRS regulations for charitable donations.

Application review will begin on January 18, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Pay range is from $110,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience. Job band 2-C.  Please visit https://staff-careers.williams.edu/ to apply - all applications will be reviewed by the search committee.
 

Conditions of Employment

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. COVID-19 vaccination with booster or approved exemption and compliance with COVID-19 related policies are required as a condition of employment at Williams.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at hr@williams.edu.

Situated in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, Williams College offers a rich academic environment in a beautiful setting. The Berkshires—known as a cultural corridor—are a great place to live, work and raise a family, with several top-notch schools and an array of recreational opportunities from world-class museums to swimming holes to hiking trails. The New York Capital Region, Albany International Airport and Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Train Station are just an hour away, and Boston and New York City are within three hours by car or bus.
 
Williams College has been around for more than 200 years, yet we’re constantly evolving and growing. As a liberal arts college, Williams has always taught fundamental problem-solving skills that students can use well beyond their four years here. We also recognize that facing complex issues within our history and culture is necessary for sustaining an equitable, just and environmentally responsible community. We strive to create an inclusive culture in which every voice is heard. The college is committed to ensuring that everyone is able to find their place and thrive, no matter who you are, where you come from or what role you fulfill when you get here.
 
Williams invests in our employees, offering generous health care, tuition reimbursement, professional development opportunities, paid leave, access to gym facilities, discounts with local vendors, retirement plans and more. Our vibrant 450-acre campus is home to around 2,000 students who benefit from a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, and their energy is the heartbeat of an active population. Many people come to Williams for the job and stay for decades because of the lively environment and warm neighbors. You’re more than a person doing a job; you are joining our community.