Assistant Vice President of Advancement Data and Technology

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nAbout Us \nPortland State University (PSU) Foundation fuels the mission and priorities of Oregon’s most diverse, innovative, and affordable research university by raising and stewarding philanthropic gifts that transform lives and communities. \n \nRecognized as one of Oregon’s best non-profits to work for five years in a row, we are a community of purpose-driven professionals who lead with heart, act with trust, and keep our mission forward in everything we do. Guided by creativity and collaboration, we foster a strong sense of belonging—empowering every team member to show up authentically and think boldly.\n \nAt PSU, more than half of incoming first-year students identify as BIPOC, nearly a quarter are parents, and half are the first in their families to attend college. When PSU graduates thrive, families transform, communities prosper, and innovation expands. The PSU Foundation plays a vital role in advancing this impact by inspiring donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and stewarding resources to Portland State University with integrity and purpose. \n \n \nAbout The Role \nThis new role offers the opportunity to shape the future of data, technology, and business intelligence at our mission forward organization. You will partner with colleagues across the Foundation to advance fundraising outcomes, strengthen operations, and build a more connected, data informed and data driven organization. You will balance leadership, strategy, and direct contributions to the work itself. \n \nYou may enjoy this role if you: \n\nBalance strategic thinking with hands on analytics. \n\nEnjoy building strong relationships and partnering across teams to solve complex challenges. \n\nAre energized when improving processes, solving problems, and creating positive change. \n\nEnjoy mentoring and developing others while continuing to learn yourself. \n\nAre comfortable navigating ambiguity and helping teams move forward with confidence. \n\nLead with a desire to help others succeed. \n\n \nThe Assistant Vice President of Advancement Data & Technology leads the strategy, systems, and analytics that power PSU Foundation’s fundraising and engagement efforts. This role is accountable for the direction, performance, governance, and outcomes of the Data & Technology function, advancing data-informed fundraising, strengthening donor pipeline development, and equipping leadership and development officers with actionable insights. The AVP translates organizational priorities into integrated data and technology solutions that improve fundraising effectiveness, decision-making, and operational efficiency. \n \nThe role provides enterprise-level leadership for the Foundation’s data, technology infrastructure, and business intelligence ecosystem, including CRM, reporting and analytics, system integrations, and IT operations. This leader ensures systems are secure, scalable, and user-centered while supporting the full fundraising lifecycle. \nThis is a hands-on leadership role that balances strategic direction, departmental accountability, and direct involvement in priority initiatives, complex problem solving, cross-functional execution, and team development. \nServing as a strategic partner to Executive Leadership, University stakeholders, and the Foundation Board, the AVP ensures alignment between data, technology, fundraising performance, and mission impact. \n \n \nPosition Overview \nStrategy, Priorities & Organizational Outcomes \n\nSet the vision, priorities, and roadmap for the Foundation’s data, analytics, reporting, systems, and technology functions, ensuring alignment with fundraising and organizational priorities. \n\nDefine how data, technology, and analytics should support campaign execution, pipeline development, donor engagement, operational performance, and executive decision-making. \n\nOwn department-level priorities and resource allocation across data management, reporting, analytics, business intelligence, systems, IT operations, and user support. \n\nProvide strategic oversight for enterprise reporting strategy, dashboards, KPIs, and performance metrics. \n\nEstablish expectations for reporting standards, business definitions, data governance, and adoption practices in partnership with the Senior Advancement Business Intelligence Analyst and other team members. \n\nServe as a strategic advisor on emerging trends and technologies, including AI, and make recommendations on when and how the Foundation should invest in new tools or capabilities. \n\nEnsure external benchmarking initiatives and surveys are completed accurately and that insights are incorporated into organizational planning and performance strategy. \n\n \nData Governance & Quality \n\nEstablish, maintain and lead a strong data governance framework and practices to ensure data accuracy, consistency, security, and compliance across systems. \n\nDefine and enforce data standards, stewardship roles, documentation practices and integration protocols. \n\nOversee data quality standards, integration processes, and system documentation to ensure reliability and trust in organizational data assets, reporting and analytics. \n\n \nSystems, Technology & Vendor Management \n\nEnsure effective delivery of IT operations, including infrastructure, security, user support, and system performance. \n\nLead evaluation, selection, implementation, and optimization of enterprise systems and tools that support fundraising and operational effectiveness. \n\nEnsure data systems and reporting environments are reliable, accurate, and fit for organizational needs. \n\nOversee IT operations, including infrastructure, system administration, access management, cybersecurity practices, user support, and training. \n\nManage vendor relationships, contracts, and service-level agreements to ensure high-quality service delivery and value optimization. \n\n \nFinancial & Operational Stewardship \n\nOwn department planning, prioritization, and resource tradeoff decisions, ensuring the team’s work is focused on the highest-value organizational needs. \n\nDevelop and manage departmental budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial and technology resources. \n\nMonitor investments in systems and tools to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and organizational return on investment. \n\nPeople Leadership & Organizational Partnership \n\nProvide strategic leadership to the Data & Technology team, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and professional development. \n\nDefine roles, priorities, and team structure across data management, reporting, analytics, BI and systems functions. \n\nFoster a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture. \n\nServe as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, University partners, and the Board. \n\nOversee the organization’s technology strategy, lead change management efforts to drive adoption of data, reporting, technology solutions, and emerging technologies. \n\nLead the strategy and oversight of technology and data training programs, ensuring staff are equipped to effectively use systems, reporting tools, and data, while supporting user adoption. \n\nPerform other duties as assigned. \n\nMinimum Qualifications \n\nBachelor's degree in information systems, Computer Science, Business Administration, Information Technology, Data Analytics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. \n\nEight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in fundraising, advancement services, data management, business intelligence, information technology, analytics, or a related function. \n\nFive (5) years of people leadership experience, including managing technical or cross function teams. \n\nFour (4) years of experience working in a fundraising, advancement, or nonprofit environment. \n\nProficiency with commonly used workplace technologies, including Microsoft Office, SharePoint, CRM platforms, and other cloud-based collaboration and document management tools; demonstrated ability to leverage emerging technologies to enhance productivity, accuracy, and overall work quality. \n\nDemonstrated ability to work effectively in an inclusive, equitable, and respectful environment, collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, and experiences. \n\nCommitment to fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture through active engagement with colleagues, open communication, and alignment with organizational values and culture initiatives. \n\nDemonstrate reliable, regular, and predictable work attendance. \n\n \nTechnical & Functional Expertise Requirements \n\nStrong knowledge of advancement data, fundraising systems, business intelligence, analytics, reporting, and technology operations sufficient to set strategy, evaluate solutions, and lead technical teams. \n\nDemonstrated ability to translate fundraising and organizational priorities into data, technology, reporting, and operational strategies that drive performance and decision-making. \n\nDemonstrated understanding of data architecture, business intelligence, system integrations, and technology infrastructure, including familiarity with SQL-based reporting environments, ETL processes, APIs/SDKs, cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, and enterprise system deployment practices sufficient to provide effective technical oversight and strategic technology leadership. \n\nExperience overseeing enterprise CRM platforms, reporting environments, data governance, system integrations, and technology operations within a complex organization. \n\nAbility to evaluate technology investments, vendor solutions, data infrastructure, and reporting needs from strategic, operational, financial, and user-experience perspectives. \n\nStrong understanding of SQL, query design, data transformation, data warehousing, integration architecture, and business intelligence concepts. \n\nAdvanced knowledge of analytics, predictive modeling, and data-informed strategy to support revenue generation, constituent engagement, and organizational performance. \n\nDeep experience developing and managing fundraising and constituent engagement metrics, KPIs, dashboards, and executive reporting that inform strategic decision-making. \n\n \n\nPreferred Qualifications \n\nExperience working at a higher education fundraising organization. \n\nExperience with Blackbaud CRM. \n\nExperience in Microsoft Fabric and Power BI Ecosystem. \n\nExperience with data and technology strategic partnership specific to fundraising and fundraising campaigns. \n\n \n\nCompensation & Benefits \nOur compensation philosophy reflects our commitment to pay equity, transparency, and valuing the contributions of every team member. \n\nHiring Range: $175,000 – $215,000 / year \n\nOffers are determined based on a candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications, while ensuring internal pay equity. \n\n4-Day Workweek: As part of our commitment to wellness and workplace culture, we’ve transitioned to a 4-day workweek—an innovative shift that reflects our values and promotes balance across our team. Business operations are closed on Fridays, supporting work-life balance and recognizing the value of your time. \n \nTop-Tier Benefits: We offer one of Oregon’s leading nonprofit benefits packages, designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. Full-time employee benefits include: \n\n4 Day Work Week, with business operations closed on Fridays. \n100% employer-paid medical coverage on our base plan \n95% employer-paid dental and vision coverage \nUp to 27 days of paid time off plus 10 paid holidays, including one floating holiday \nUp to 12% employer contribution to eligible 401(k) plans after applicable waiting periods \nEmployer-paid Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance \nPortland State University affiliated employee benefits, including tuition discount \n\n \n \nHow to Apply \nInterested in applying? We invite you to submit your application through our Careers page \n \nDon’t meet every requirement? We’d still like to hear from you! \nIf you enjoy being part of a collaborative results-driven team and making a difference in our community, we encourage you to apply, even if you believe you don’t meet all of the requirements listed. Studies have shown that individuals with marginalized identities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification in the job description. Our priority is finding the best candidate for the role, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds. PSU Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.