Kenyon College invites applications for the position of Director of Advancement Systems. As a member of a dynamic team and a core leader within the division, the Director of Advancement Systems provides strategic and operational systems, technical, and data leadership in support of the Advancement Division’s mission to engage alumni and parents and raise philanthropic support for Kenyon. This individual will prioritize, plan and ensure the high-quality execution of technology supported business processes, data management, systems management, project management, reporting and analytics, and process design. They will also lead the upcoming conversion of Advancement’s CRM. This is an exciting position with new projects and initiatives on the horizon.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee technology and data ecosystem:

• Regularly assess the Advancement division’s technology needs and opportunities in light of institutional priorities and operational changes.
• Engage key colleagues within Advancement and across the College to learn about strategic plans and changes in technology and data needs.
• With input from Advancement’s leadership, guide the prioritization, timing, and planning of key technology and data projects.
• Manage and/or track all technologies and platforms utilized by Advancement. Oversee contracts and relationships with technology vendors.
• Provide project management of new implementations and upgrades and assessments of technology or data gaps within Advancement systems.

CRM Conversion:

• Lead the upcoming CRM conversion as Advancement transitions from its long-time database to a new platform.
• Develop project roadmap, manage staff resources to meet key milestones, regularly communicate with key stakeholders, develop staff trainings, lead testing.
• The conversion will also be supported by several other team members.

Reporting and analysis:

• Serve as the primary Advancement resource for providing data through reports, ad hoc queries, survey responses, etc.
• Conduct data analysis and provide findings in support of Advancement questions.
• Work closely with colleagues on Kenyon’s central IT team to support reporting through Cognos and other centralized programs.

Technology education:

• Develop technology training plan for new staff and for others needing to learn about our systems.
• Ensure colleagues receive the training needed to fully implement our technology tools.

Business process improvement:

• Work with colleagues to identify and improve core business processes to be as efficient and accurate as possible.
• Continuously learn about new technologies available to improve operations.

Essential Skills

• Proficient communication skills, including an inclination to regularly and proactively communicate with stakeholders.
• Expert organization skills and willingness to use shared project management platforms.
• Ability to keep broad strategic objectives in mind and to understand the impacts of changes across the College, while at the same time staying on top of small but important project details.
• Ability and desire to learn new technologies quickly and assess for possible use.
• Expertise with data structures and analytical tools.
• Ability to think creatively and analytically.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and projects concurrently.
• Experience with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
• Have a positive attitude and a desire to work hard in support of the team.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations.
• Flexible, self-motivated, and generous in a collaborative, fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Able to respond to last-minute requests and to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Take initiative, exhibit resourcefulness, enjoy problem-solving.
• Able to maintain confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in technology-related field or equivalent relevant experience.
• High degree of comfort with technology and data management / manipulation.
• Experience with writing data expressions, including in SQL (preferred, but not required).
• Relevant experience that demonstrates a working knowledge of systems, data analysis and/or higher education operations.
• Supervisory or management experience preferred.
• Remote / hybrid work environment may be an option for this position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This role supervises a systems analyst and may also supervise a temporary programmer.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 85% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation's finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health and dental insurance, TIAA retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Staff Handbook.

Kenyon is a unique place to live and work. To discover why it should be your next home, click here.

Kenyon College is an equal opportunity employer and applications from members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. It is the College's policy to evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, age, religion, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy or state, local, or federal law. Kenyon College has a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion.