Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology

Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology

NC State University has partnered with Boyden on this search. To express interest, please email resume and cover letter to Sara Swisher Anderson at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Posting Information

Posting Number - PG194636EP

Internal Recruitment - No

Working Title - Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology

Anticipated Hiring Range - Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule - Mon-Fri 8:00 to 5:00 as well as various nights and weekends as needed

Job Location - Raleigh, NC

Department - Advancement Services

About the Department - North Carolina State University (NC State) was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today it is the largest university in North Carolina with more than 34,000 high-performing students, 8,000 pre-eminent faculty and staff and 300,000 alumni. NC State is known for its leadership in research, education, and service and as a research extensive university, is recognized for its strengths in science, engineering, and technology. The University consistently ranks among the top public national universities and one of the best values in higher education.

University Advancement amplifies NC State's local and global impact by nurturing lifelong relationships, championing philanthropy and strengthening the Wolfpack community. Led by Vice Chancellor Brian Sischo, UA fulfills its mission through the operations of four main units: University Development, which seeks and obtains philanthropic support; Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, which builds and fosters relationships and a culture of philanthropy with alumni and other constituencies; University Communications and Marketing, NC State's dedicated communications agency; and Advancement Services, which provides information management and other key support functions to all University Advancement units.

Advancement Services provides timely, accurate and actionable resources to enhance fundraising and engagement activities at NC State University. We achieve this through effective business intelligence and reporting, compelling donor research and analysis, innovative technology, quality donor and alumni information, and superior customer service, all while applying ethical gift and data management practices. Advancement Services supports the operations of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, University Development & University Communications. The unit oversees all advancement applications and reporting systems including the University's alumni & donor CRM, Kindsight Ascend on Salesforce, generates data reporting and analytics, processing gifts and conducting research about potential contribution opportunities. Advancement Services also maintains financial records, receipts corporate & individual private gifts following the NC State Standard Operating Procedures for Acceptance of Gifts, updates & verifies alumni and donor records, manages donor prospect tracking systems, plans and manages gift agreements & endowment reports, and evaluates donor naming opportunities. Advancement Services is also responsible for guiding and applying governance for data and systems, as well as leading the implementation and management of advancement technology to support Advancement's efforts.

We take a great deal of pride in our collaborative, supportive and collegial team culture. All staff are provided opportunities for training and professional development with an eye to personalized career growth.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits - As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision Flexible Spending Account Retirement Programs Disability Plans Life Insurance Accident Plan Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs 12 Holidays Each Year Tuition and Academic Assistance And so much more! Attain work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties - NC State is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology (AIT). This individual will be responsible for stabilizing and optimizing the technological foundation of University Advancement, ensuring the continued effectiveness, security, and efficiency of a robust technology ecosystem that powers fundraising, alumni engagement, and communications at NC State.

In February 2025, University Advancement (UA) successfully launched a transformational CRM implementationKindsight Ascend on Salesforce CRM. This implementation marks the beginning of an exciting new phase aimed at stabilization, enhancement, and innovation within our advancement technology ecosystem. As NC State prepares for a future capital campaign, this role will play a pivotal part in ensuring that the advancement technology infrastructure, data strategy, and business processes are optimized to support ambitious fundraising and engagement goals.

The Executive Director of AIT reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Services and is the senior leader responsible for overseeing advancement application systems, analytics and data services, project management, and training. Leading an AIT team of 15 professionals, this role requires deep expertise in managing complex technological systems and an exceptional ability to effectively engage and communicate with functional users.

As a senior member of the Advancement Services Leadership Team, the Executive Director will work closely with University Advancement leadership, Chief Development Officers, OIT, Finance, and other university partners to align advancement technology strategies with NC State's broader institutional goals. This individual will oversee enterprise-level systems management, data governance, analytics, security, and process optimization, ensuring that NC State remains a national leader in Advancement Services and a benchmark for technological excellence in higher education fundraising.

Other Responsibilities - Serve as a key member of the Advancement Services Leadership Team, providing strategic leadership aligned with Advancement Services and University Advancement's missions and objectives. Collaborate closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor to establish, implement, and maintain comprehensive strategic, tactical, and capital advancement technology plans, including resource allocation, budget management, staffing infrastructure, and related processes. Support the Associate Vice Chancellor in developing and articulating a clear vision for Advancement Services at NC State, regularly communicating it to stakeholders. Assume leadership responsibility for Advancement Services in the absence of the Associate Vice Chancellor, ensuring timely and effective decision-making. Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and lifecycle management of systems supporting fundraising, constituent engagement, and advancement operations. Conduct ongoing research and evaluation of industry trends and emerging technologies, including developments within the Salesforce ecosystem, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and automation tools, to support business requirements and enhance advancement technology systems. Oversee analytics and data strategy, encompassing data visualization, reporting, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, and institutional surveys. Define, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and guidelines consistent with Advancement and NC State's Data Governance framework, ensuring efficient, secure, and compliant use of advancement constituent data. Chair the University Advancement Data and Technology Governance Committee (UADTGOV) and represent University Advancement on university-wide governance committees. Engage, communicate, and negotiate effectively with campus partners regarding advancement technology, information, and process initiatives. Foster collaboration with central university departments such as OIT and Finance, ensuring cohesive integration and alignment with university-wide objectives. Maintain strategic vendor and business partner relationships, actively managing contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with business needs. Actively participate in the broader Advancement Services community through networking and engagement in industry associations, conferences, and professional groups to stay informed of best practices and trends. Oversee an AIT team of 15 members, including four direct reports: Director of Application Services, Director of Analytics & Data Services, Associate Director of Advancement Learning, and Project Manager. Provide strategic oversight, coaching, and mentorship to leadership within Application Services, Analytics & Data Services, Advancement Learning, and Project Management units. Supervise the recruitment, retention, organizational structuring, strategic oversight, coaching, and mentorship of Advancement Information Technology (AIT) staff. Ensure effective project management across Advancement Services projects, utilizing industry best practices and standards. Promote and encourage a culture of continuous learning and training, emphasizing thorough documentation and well-defined processes. Provide leadership support for initiatives such as campaigns, Day of Giving, and other high-volume, high-impact activities, significantly enhancing NC State's culture of philanthropy and constituent engagement. Ensure NC State's recognition as a national leader in Advancement Services, positioning the institution as a benchmark for excellence within the higher education advancement community.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience - Master's Degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or other relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience. 5 years of IT experience with progressive responsibilities and demonstration of leadership.

Other Required Qualifications - Demonstrated experience managing complex technology systems, such as Salesforce CRM. Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage technical teams, including recruiting, coaching, and performance management. Extensive experience with data governance, analytics strategy, data security, and compliance frameworks. Strong understanding of fundraising and alumni engagement within a university advancement or comparable setting. Exceptional project management and organizational skills, including experience overseeing large-scale technology projects utilizing industry best practices. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage varied stakeholders including senior leadership, technical teams, and end-users. Proven ability to develop and manage budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships strategically and efficiently. Proven ability to lead and manage change within large, complex