Job Summary

The Associate Vice President of Advancement Operations will serve as a key leader within the Advancement team, overseeing the systems, processes, and strategies that enable the university to achieve its philanthropic and engagement goals. This individual will provide strategic vision, leadership, and management of core operational functions by developing and executing forward-thinking strategies, fostering innovation, and ensuring the seamless integration of operations to drive efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness across the division. With a focus on continuous improvement, this individual will align operational initiatives with institutional priorities, enabling data-driven decision-making, optimizing workflows, and enhancing collaboration across teams to achieve measurable results in fundraising and donor engagement.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight - 40%

Oversee and enhance the operational framework of University Advancement, ensuring the effective management of business systems, workflows, and technology platforms.
Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising operations strategies that align with the university's mission and broader advancement goals.
Provide strategic vision and leadership to optimize performance, innovation, and efficiency within core operational functions, including data management, reporting, and prospect development.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement that aligns with the goals and priorities of University Advancement.
Collaborate closely with advancement leadership, frontline fundraisers, and cross-functional partners to enhance operations, achieve shared objectives, provide training and tools and improve operational efficiency.
Take a forward-thinking and expeditious approach to creating solutions, optimizing processes, and enhancing workflows to support a high- achieving fundraising team, driving year-over-year increases in resource development.
Ensure development of reports and statistics to be tracked over time to resolve inefficiencies or ineffective processes. Work with development leadership to provide information requested by boards, committees, and key stakeholders to detail approach and achievement.

Data Management and Technology Integration - 15%

Serve as the primary administrator for development information systems and the advancement CRM, ensuring systems are optimized to meet strategic goals.
Oversee business systems and technology for the Advancement organization, ensuring alignment with best practices and strategic objectives.
Continually evaluate business systems and operational workflows to identify growth opportunities, drive efficiencies, and improve performance measurement.
Partner with IT and other departments to identify, implement, and maintain innovative tools and technology platforms that improve operational effectiveness.
Monitor industry trends to evaluate and enhance existing technology, policies, and procedures that support fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, and stewardship efforts.
Leverage data analytics and reporting tools to provide actionable insights, inform decision-making, and enhance fundraising outcomes.

Advancement Operations and Gift Management - 20%

Collaborating with the Office of Finance, ensure accurate and timely gift processing, recording, and acknowledgment of philanthropic contributions, maintaining compliance with institutional policies and IRS regulations.
Provide leadership in improving workflows, developing best practices, and integrating systems to support effective donor pipeline management.
Oversee fundraising infrastructure to enable seamless coordination of acknowledgments, appeals, donor research, and other fundraising initiatives.
In coordination with Annual Giving Program Manager, facilitate assessment of Annual Giving initiatives' performance through detailed analysis to assess and enhance program effectiveness, giving patterns, and potential donor segmentation.
Oversee the administration and ensure the efficient operation of planned giving programs, charitable gift annuities, and scholarship initiatives, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and donor intent. Track program performance, collaborate with internal teams to implement best practices, and enhance donor stewardship to support fundraising efforts, strengthen donor relationships.

Prospect Development and Performance Optimization - 20%

Direct the development and execution of prospect research strategies and pipeline management to ensure a steady flow of qualified prospects for frontline fundraisers.
Oversee the tracking, analysis, and reporting of fundraising portfolios to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and goals.
Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to enhance prospect identification, moves management, and portfolio performance, developing systems and strategies to maximize fundraising effectiveness.
Conduct and oversee donor research to identify, evaluate, and prioritize prospects, providing actionable insights and strategies to support donor engagement and cultivation.
Ensure the continuous refinement of prospect development processes to drive donor pipeline growth and align fundraising efforts with organizational objectives.

Other responsibilities as assigned - 5%

Required Skills

Knowledge of Advancement Operations: Strong understanding of development operations, including data management, reporting, prospect development, and gift processing.
Technology Proficiency: Experience with advancement CRM systems and other development technologies, with a strong ability to evaluate and optimize business systems and technology platforms.
Familiarity with a wide range of fundraising strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns, along with an understanding of trends and best practices in higher education fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship.
Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills.
Proficiency in fundraising software preferred (e.g., Salesforce, Riser's Edge, Blackbaud).

Key Competencies:

Leadership Skills: Proven leadership experience with the ability to manage teams, drive process improvements, and implement strategic initiatives while fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Expertise in leveraging data analytics and reporting tools to inform decision-making and optimize performance.
Collaboration Skills: Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including fundraising staff, IT, finance, and other departments to improve operational efficiency and achieve shared goals.
Problem-Solving and Innovation: Ability to think strategically and proactively to identify opportunities for improvement, optimize workflows, and enhance systems to support fundraising success.

Experience

Required:

Minimum of 6 years of experience in advancement operations, fundraising, or a related field, with a proven track record in leadership, strategy, development, and operational oversight.

Education

Required:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, or a related area).

Additional Information

Must be able to work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Must be able to travel between University campus and Anderson Center campus.
May require extended hours at times throughout year.

Bethel seeks to recruit, retain, develop, and support a diverse workforce who contributes to our educational and Christ-centered mission. Bethel encourages candidates to apply who can assist the University to develop a faculty that reflects the diversity of people in God's kingdom through a variety of ethnicities, cultures, and lived experiences.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity in hiring .

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 4,700 students from 50 states and 32 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bethel offers bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 fields. Educationally excellent classroom-based and online programs equip graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.

Bethel employs qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, familial status, and status with regard to public assistance. Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

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Average Compensation: $98,057

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