Primary Purpose: 

Claremont Graduate University is seeking a highly motivated leader for the role of Director of Advancement Services. This position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the advancement services area, including alumni database management, prospect research and management, advancement services budgeting, and gift processing. The director will report to the Vice President for Development & External Relations and work collaboratively with leadership and staff across campus. This is a propitious time at CGU for someone who possesses not only deep skill but an entrepreneurial spirit: The lead-up to the university’s centennial in 2025 will give the director significant opportunities to help chart the course for a major campaign.

We are not simply seeking a highly-skilled professional to manage advancement service operations based on a predetermined script. We want someone with the self-confidence to refine—and in some cases redefine—the role.

About CGU: 

Founded in 1925, Claremont Graduate University is an independent institution devoted entirely to graduate study. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has classified CGU as Research University with High Research Activity. On our 19-acre, tree-lined campus in Claremont, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, our five academic schools award master’s and doctoral degrees in 22 disciplines.

As a member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of seven independent institutions, CGU is able to offer a greater breadth of faculty and campus resources than is typical of a university with 2,000 students. At CGU, students are encouraged to pursue personal academic interests and research agendas even when they transcend the boundaries between individual departments.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Participate in strategic decision-making for Advancement’s major initiatives.
• Provide long- and short-term planning for information services; supervise staff who process gifts, conduct prospect research, manage data, and conduct stewardship activities (e.g., endowment reporting); and continuously seek to maximize the functionality of the Slate data management system.
• Stay current on industry technology, data management practices, and tax/legal issues related to gifts processing and constituent records.
• In collaboration with Advancement colleagues and stakeholders across campus, oversee the development and update of policies covering areas such as gift acceptance, database management, gift counting, and data privacy.
• Provide leadership and vision for constituent data acquisition, data integrity, and records management.
• Provide strategic leadership in the management and execution of major data-related initiatives through various CGU technology platforms, including but not limited to, Technolutions Slate Constituent Relations Management system, WealthEngine, and Workday Financials.
• Manage gift processing and acknowledgment protocol for cash gifts, pledges, pledge payments, matching gifts, memorial gifts, planned giving and gifts in kind, and other contributions to the University.
• Establish workflow processes to meet the highest standards of security, industry recommendations, and donor expectations.
• Oversee prospect management and research/work in partnership with the President’s Office and Advancement’s senior leadership and fundraising staff to provide timely and accurate donor and prospect profiles.
• Train fundraisers and support staff in the proper procedures for submitting gifts and pledges.
• Support the University’s external auditors’ review of gifts and pledges by explaining procedures and providing donor documentation upon request.
• Oversee the reconciliation of gifts and year-end closing procedures and ensure the correct recording of assets (e.g., GIK).
• Develop regular fundraising reports for various constituencies, including Advancement staff and the Board of Trustees.
• Collaborate in the areas of online services and social media to sustain an interactive and user-friendly web interface for Advancement priorities.
• Manage protocols for campus-wide alumni and constituent data requests.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new systems as required.
• Represent the department on campus-wide technology development committees including, but not limited to, the Slate Advisory and Data Governance groups.
• In consultation with the Vice President for Development & External Relations, facilitate relations with key university stakeholders from Finance, Information Technology, Student Financial Services, and Enrollment Management departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of CGU’s mission.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Individual must possess knowledge, skills, and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position—or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed—with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated ability in and knowledge of financial data and reporting. Ability to conduct data analysis and synthesis, undertake research techniques, and provide client-based solutions.
• Demonstrated ability in developing and executing policy and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability managing/leading teams, and ability to develop strong professional relationships.
• Knowledge of gift reporting and data management standards.
• Demonstrated experience with database migration projects.

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree preferred, or any combination of education and experience that provides the required skills and ability.

Experience: 

5+ years direct experience with Slate and/or knowledge of relational databases, data warehousing, multidimensional data modeling, and reporting software.

Hours: 

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt-level position.  Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The opportunity to work remotely at least part of the week is possible.

Supervisory Responsibility: Will supervise two staff positions.

Reports to: Vice President for Development & External Relations

This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position.   It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others.

It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Successful completion of criminal background and DMV checks required for final candidate.

At Claremont Graduate University, the health and safety of our community is a top priority.

Claremont Graduate University has adopted a policy of requiring all employees to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, based on applicable federal and state law.  If offered the role, within two weeks of the hire date, the candidate will need to provide proof of vaccination, qualify for an appropriate exemption, or otherwise be in compliance with the current applicable federal, state, and local laws to be exempt from being fully vaccinated.

Claremont Graduate University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender and/ or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability or any other legally protected basis in its employment practice and in admission of students to educational programs and activities in accordance with the requirement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title I of the American Disabilities Act of 1990.