Director of Advancement Operations and Analytics

Job Description Position Summary: The Director of Advancement Operations & Analytics provides strategic leadership for the operational, technical, and analytical functions that support fundraising, constituent engagement, and stewardship within the University Advancement department and is responsible for advancing Wentworth's fundraising strategy through analysis. This role oversees data integrity, reporting, form development, gift processing, CRM systems, prospect research, and business intelligence, and applies advanced analytics ensuring that advancement teams have the insights and infrastructure required to achieve philanthropic goals. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations and Advancement Operations, the Director works in close partnership with frontline fundraisers, annual giving, donor relations, and other University Advancement stakeholders to drive evidence‑based decision‑making and optimize advancement performance. This role is essential to building a sustainable, insight-driven fundraising operation that equips leadership to make informed decisions and supports Wentworth in achieving its campaign goals. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Planning Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement operations strategy, aligning systems, processes, and analytics with fundraising priorities and institutional goals. Partner with the Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations and Advancement Operations and University Advancement leaders to evaluate performance trends and advise on resource allocation, pipeline development, and campaign planning. Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Provide strategic insight into campaign pacing, pipeline health, donor trends, and segmentation to support University Advancement leadership in setting priorities, allocating resources, and evaluating fundraising effectiveness. Analytics & Business Intelligence Direct the design of dashboards, predictive models, KPIs, and performance reports that inform fundraising strategy, portfolio management, and donor engagement. Oversee prospect research and prospect management programs, ensuring robust discovery, qualification, and portfolio optimization. Evaluate fundraising metrics and donor trends to forecast revenue and campaign progress. Advancement Systems & Data Management Oversee the administration, optimization, and governance of the advancement CRM (e.g., Slate). Ensure high standards of data quality, security, privacy, and regulatory compliance. Lead data architecture and integration strategies across advancement systems (events, email platforms, digital engagement, volunteer portals, etc.). Ensure that technical solutions align with fundraising reporting requirements, analytic needs, and long-term data integrity. Gift & Records Administration Provide oversight for accurate, timely gift processing, pledge management, and donor receipts. Ensure compliance with CASE standards, IRS requirements, and institutional policies. Develop operational policies and documentation to ensure consistency and transparency. Team Leadership & Mentorship Mentor teams across analytics, reporting, operations, gift administration, and prospect research. Establish performance goals, professional development opportunities, and a culture of collaboration and service. Manage vendor relationships and technology budgets related to advancement operations and systems. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in business, analytics, information systems, nonprofit management, or a related field. 7–10+ years of experience in advancement operations, fundraising analytics, data strategy, or business intelligence within a nonprofit fundraising environment. Demonstrated leadership in managing or guiding a team or function, including responsibility for prioritization, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring teams. Proficiency with advanced CRMs and data tools (e.g., Raiser's Edge NXT, Salesforce, Blackbaud CRM, Slate, Tableau, Power BI, SQL, Python, R). Strong understanding of fundraising metrics, pipeline management, and campaign reporting. Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree or professional certification (CFRE, CASE training, data analytics certification). Experience in higher education or another complex mission-driven organization is strongly preferred. Experience in a complex university advancement environment. Familiarity with predictive modeling, machine learning, or advanced data visualization. Project management experience. Key Competencies: Strategic and analytical thinking Data literacy and technical acumen Effective communication and presentation skills Ability to collaborate across diverse teams. Change management experience. Commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards Supervisory Responsibilities: Titles / Roles Supervised: Gift Processing/Data Coordinator Operations Coordinator Prospect Research Specialist Report Writer/Business Analyst Position Details: The job grade for this position is Grade 9. The expected salary for this position is between $90,000 - $113,000 which reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this role. At this time, the university is unable to sponsor applicants for H-1B visas. This position is a fulltime benefits eligible with a 37.5 work schedule. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Compensation and Benefits Wentworth Institute of Technology is committed to fair, transparent, and legally compliant compensation practices. We believe that clarity about pay structures and ranges supports equity, fosters trust, and ensures a positive workplace for all employees. Please visit here to see the comprehensive benefits package offered to support the best experience for our employees. https://wit.edu/careers/work-wentworth Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth Inclusive Excellence is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan. Actively and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond is Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth. To find out more about the Wentworth's commitment to Inclusive Excellence, please visit the website https://wit.edu/about/inclusive-excellence. All applicants have the right to accessibility support and accommodations. To request accessibility support or accommodations, contact the Executive Director of Equity and Compliance, Catlin Wells, at wellsc1@wit.edu. E-Verify for Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) Wentworth participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Wentworth Institute of Technology is a private university located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Through a uniquely effective, hands-on experiential learning approach, Wentworth prepares graduates who are future-focused and career-ready. We are a collaborative, mission-driven community of educators and professionals committed to excellence in ourselves and in the students we teach and support. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to continuing to develop a richly diverse faculty, staff, and student body. For general information on working at Wentworth and Benefits click here. Inclusive Excellence is one of the four pillars of the Strategic Plan. Actively and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond is Inclusive Excellence at Wentworth.