Associate Director of Advancement Data Strategy

Job Description:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement Operations, this position will have primary responsibility for converting critical constituent, gift, and engagement data into actionable business knowledge in support of University Advancement strategies and goals. Primarily, the associate director will lead projects related to the interpretation of alumni and development data to identify trends and opportunities, and to facilitate conversations with colleagues on the application of that data.

The department of Advancement is committed to the development of an inclusive environment and we strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches in carrying out the mission of Washington and Lee University.

• Serves as the primary liaison for Advancement’s Business Intelligence reports with end users in development, alumni engagement, and Law advancement. Works closely with end-users in the interpretation and application of resulting reports and analysis
  
  
• Identifies and facilitates opportunities for strategic collaboration and coordination in the use of data among Advancement Operations, Development, Alumni Engagement and Law School Advancement, and with campus partners including the President’s Office, Communications, Career Development, Dean of Students, University Registrar and Institutional Effectiveness
  
  
• Interprets trends or patterns in existing data to provide support for data-driven decision-making, to improve fundraising and engagement results, and to help drive coordinated messaging across Advancement. Guides efforts from analysis through to end-user understanding and identification of recommended next actions. Specific tasks may include:
  
  
  • Monitors Advancement social media accounts for successful and unsuccessful messaging, and working with end users to enhance positive participation
    
    
  • Evaluates event attendance to identify successful themes, speakers, times and mediums for various audiences
    
    
  • Reviews e-solicitation methods and appeals to identify the most successful times, subject lines, senders, and messaging
    
    
  • Assesses blast emails to identify opportunities to reduce volume and increase impact
    
    

• Performs as a key member of the Advancement Operations team, with deep knowledge of gift and constituent records, data management methodology, best practices in fundraising and alumni engagement and their application in support of institutional priorities
  
  
• Seeks answers for data-driven questions raised by colleagues in Development, Alumni Engagement and Law School Advancement, and serve as the primary liaison between Advancement Operations and end users on assigned projects
  
  
• Additional related duties as assigned
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a direct fundraising or alumni engagement role, preferably in higher education
  
  
• Knowledge of gift-related data including compliance with IRS and CASE policies, and adherence to advancement services best practices as defined by the Association of Advancement Services Professionals
  
  
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and interpretation and the ability to clearly communicate technical issues to laymen and to translate their feedback to data-focused colleagues
  
  
• Ability to organize work, coordinate projects with others, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet and negotiate deadlines and to work both independently and as a member of a team
  
  
• Excellent research and analytical skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret data, excellent oral and written communication skills and collaborative and effective leadership experience
  
  
• Sound judgment, tact and discretion in handing confidential information
  
  
• Strong customer service skills with high level of initiative and follow-through
  
  

Application Instructions

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

Cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information are required. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

External Applicants: Please upload your resume on the Quick Apply screen. Your application will automatically populate your resume details, and you may verify and update data on the My Information page. Add your cover letter and any other documents required for the position to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience application page. You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it . The My Experience page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. The online application form requires you provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Do not apply from the website. Log in to Workday. Click on the Career Application and select the Open W&L Jobs report. Locate the position and click Apply . Update your Education and Job History. Attach your cover letter and resume, and provide three professional references in the appropriate boxes. Refer to this Job Aid for additional guidance.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm with occasional evening and weekend hours required.

Benefit Eligible

FLSA:

Exempt

Weekly Hours:

35

Minimum Pay:

$63,821.00

Pay commensurate with experience.

Washington and Lee affirms that diverse perspectives and backgrounds enhance our community. We are committed to the recruitment, enrichment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points of view, interests, and identities. As engaged citizens in a global and diverse society, we seek to advance a positive learning and working environment for all through open and substantive dialogue.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As such, we are interested in candidates who are committed to high standards of scholarship, performance and professionalism and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity in our faculty, staff and student body. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.