Assistant Vice President For Advancement Services And Operations

AVP for Advancement Services and Operations Statement of Purpose:

Advancement Services is a support function within Gardner-Webb's Advancement Office. The office provides essential infrastructure, support, and data-driven insights, covering a spectrum of activities and responsibilities dedicated to supporting and enhancing the institution's fundraising and advancement initiatives.

Playing a pivotal role, the Advancement Services office focuses on managing and leveraging data, technology, and processes to facilitate successful donor relations, gift processing, prospect research, and reporting. By ensuring the seamless coordination of these elements, the office contributes significantly to the institution's overall success in advancement efforts.

Reporting directly to the vice president for advancement, the AVP will perform the following duties:

• Donor Database Management: Oversee and maintain the organization's donor database (Raisers Edge), including the collection, organization, and accurate recording of donor information. Track giving history, ensuring data integrity, and promptly address any system errors or issues as the in-house database administrator.

• Prospect Research and Pipeline Development: Employ research and analytical skills to identify potential donors, evaluating their capacity and inclination to contribute. Provide crucial insights to fundraisers, aiding in strategic prioritization of efforts and enhancing the overall donor cultivation process.

• Gift Processing and Acknowledgment: Collaborate in formulating policies and procedures pertaining to gift processing, acknowledgment, and donor stewardship.
  
  Ensure alignment with relevant regulations and best practices, contributing to a seamless and compliant framework for managing donor contributions. The AVP will also be responsible for the accurate completion of fund agreements, pledge forms, and other related gift documentation.

• Reporting and Analysis: Efficiently generate and analyze fundraising reports to evaluate unit effectiveness.
  
  Timely delivery of reports, spanning weekly, monthly, and annual assessments, is essential. Incorporate meticulous data distillation techniques to ensure the accuracy and clarity of reports, facilitating a nuanced analysis of metrics and performance.

• Stewardship and Donor Relations: The AVP will actively contribute to stewardship activities, encompassing responsibilities such as maintaining membership rosters, processing endowment reports, and summarizing gifts with precision and attention to detail. The AVP will also be responsible for completing the post-award reports for foundation-based gifts (as needed).

• Strategic Planning: Actively engage in goal-setting initiatives, offering valuable input and expertise on data management, reporting, and system enhancements. Contribute to shaping strategies that drive fundraising success through a collaborative and informed approach.

• Teamwork: Foster relationships with internal stakeholders, including frontline fundraisers, alumni relations, and the Bulldog Club. Offer training and educational opportunities to enhance their database skills and knowledge, promoting continuous improvement and synergy across departments.

• Management: The AVP will be responsible for managing the Director of Donor Relations

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education/Qualifications:

A. Bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. The ideal candidate should possess three or more years of successful experience with progressively responsible duties in advancement services or a similar role.

B. Must have exceptional computer skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially with MS Excel.

C. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends may be necessary.

D. Demonstrated expertise in the use of CRM systems, with preference for Ellucian Banner and Blackbaud NXT, is required.

E. Attention to detail and strong communication skills, along with significant organizational skills required.

F. A comprehensive understanding of Advancement Services as a functional area, including gift processing, stewardship, donor relations, customer service, prospect management, information security, and data maintenance.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should complete the application and include a letter of interest, résumé, and names and contact information for at least three professional references with their submission.

Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private, historically Baptist, Christian institution, located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,000 students.

GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University. In 2023, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 43 foreign countries. GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and 460 student-athletes.