Director of Advancement Operations

About the Role The Office of Advancement at Mercy University seeks a strategic leader to serve as Director of Advancement Operations. This role provides strategic vision and day-to-day oversight of advancement services including gift processing, database management, prospect research, reporting and analytics, and policy development to support fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship. What You'll Do

• Develop and execute a comprehensive advancement operations strategy aligned with institutional priorities and best practices.
• Supervise and mentor a high-performing team across gift processing, data management, prospect research, reporting and analytics.
• Partner with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and other leaders to advance the division's objectives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and innovation within the Advancement Operations team and across the division.
• Oversee data management, analytics, and reporting; ensure data governance and security; create standardized reports for Board of Trustees and University leadership.
• Direct gift processing, acknowledgments, and receipting; ensure compliance with IRS regulations and organizational standards.
• Oversee prospect research practices and the development of pipelines for annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Develop and update policies and procedures to promote ethical, compliant operations.
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, and Legal; provide training and support to staff; translate complex concepts into actionable recommendations. What We're Looking For
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 7 years of progressive responsibility in advancement, nonprofit, or higher education operations, with at least 3 in a supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in data management, prospect research, gift processing, and reporting within advancement or fundraising.
• Proven leadership skills with experience building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing teams.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and project management abilities.
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms. Nice to Have
• Visionary thinker with a strategic mindset and a passion for operational excellence.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive cross-functional initiatives; comfortable leading through change and ambiguity.
• Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct; strong customer service orientation and genuine interest in Mercy University’s mission. Compensation & Benefits
• Salary range: $66,538 - $86,520 annually.
• Benefits not specified in posting.