Senior Director of Advancement Operations

Senior Director of Advancement Operations

The Senior Director of Advancement Operations provides strategic leadership and oversight for all advancement services functions, including data administration, analytics, and prospect management. This role is critical to ensuring the efficiency, integrity, compliance, and effectiveness of advancement operations in support of the KU Foundation’s fundraising and alumni engagement goals. The Senior Director partners across departments to optimize systems, processes, and reporting capabilities, enabling data-informed decision-making and advancing the organization’s long-term philanthropic success as we take the necessary steps for KU’s next comprehensive campaign.

KUF offers competitive compensation and benefits, as well as the opportunity to make transformational changes for tomorrow’s leaders. Learn more about the organization and team at www.kuf.org.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Oversight

• Direct strategic planning for advancement operations, including prospect research, data analytics, portfolio optimization, and data integrity.
• Supervise the advancement services team.
• Manage task distribution, workflow, and operational efficiency across teams.

Data & Gift Administration

• Execute and maintain donor documentation, including gift agreements, planned giving documentation, and pledge forms.
• Regularly update gift acceptance policies and internal/external compliance forms in consultation with senior leadership team (SLT).
• Assist the KUF business office with gift processing to ensure compliance with IRS, FASB, CASE, and KUF policies.

Analytics & Reporting

• Develop and manage comprehensive reporting for fundraising, alumni engagement, and advancement metrics.
• Assist the Director and Assistant Director of Data Administration with the submission of CASE’s Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) and Alumni Engagement Metrics reports.
• Partner with the alumni team to leverage analytics to strengthen volunteer and engagement pipelines.
• Maintain internal tracking protocols to enhance alumni participation and donor cultivation.

Annual Giving & Campaign Strategy

• Manage the development and execution of print and digital appeals in collaboration with the Executive Director, Communications team, and campus partners.
• Assist in managing donor segmentation and data strategies for solicitations, stewardship, and event invitations to support targeted fundraising initiatives, including recurring giving, giving societies, and recent alumni engagement.
• Partner with annual giving to help develop strategy of crowdfunding campaigns.

Technology & Software

• Manage, negotiate, and evaluate contracts for fundraising and data management software in consultation with senior leadership.
• Establish and enforce best practices for AI and software use in advancement operations.
• Provide advanced support and training for Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and other related platforms.

Campus & Donor Relations

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and student leaders to encourage fundraising involvement and build program support.
• Partner with Communications and Business teams to generate donor and fund reports.
• Support development of donor recognition materials including signage, plaques, and publications.
• Provide data and analytics support for strategic solicitations and event engagement.
• Participate in donor and alumni events, including on-site assistance.

Other Duties

and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant experience, preferably in higher education advancement.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT and online giving platforms preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Experience fostering collaborative, team-based environments.
• Understanding of the relationship between a university and its affiliated foundation is a plus.
• Comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and volunteers.