Description

Executive Director of Advancement Information Technology

The Executive Director of Advancement Information Technology is responsible for project management, resource management, supervision of Information Technology (IT) professionals, and communication of IT services and support for the Development & Alumni Relations Division. This individual is responsible for IT strategic and operational planning, implementation, and evaluation. This position is also responsible for the identification, selection, and application of appropriate technology resources to support the Division, as well as the security of all departmental and donor information. Technology services provided under the leadership of this position must meet and/or exceed University standards for design, security, and delivery.
This position is also responsible for portfolio management of core systems used by DAR, including the UGA Foundation’s financial ERP, donor CRM, reporting platforms, and integration ecosystems.

Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 12 years of professional experience to include 5 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience within Information Technology in a higher education setting, preferably at an R1 Institution.
• Extensive knowledge of Blackbaud eCRM, Blackbaud Internet Solutions and Central Square Finance Enterprise.
• Experience with Qlik and Tableau.
• Experience with higher education procurement and vendor management processes.
• Experience communicating with External Board members.
• Experience with implementation of enterprise applications, working closely with stake holders, users, and executive sponsors.
• Experience with PCI compliance and security procedures.
• Experience managing teams responsible for enterprise infrastructure both physical and virtual.
• Experience preparing and managing a five-to-seven-year budget projection to ensure meeting technological needs and compliance.
• Experience managing teams responsible for technology requirements in multiple locations.
• Experience working with lead administrators within a higher education institution to structure strategies leading to outcomes that drive collaboration.
• Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty/staff.
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Proven personnel management experience, especially with large teams.
• Ability to motivate, coach, and lead groups and individuals.
• Demonstrates excellent time management and the ability to prioritize multiple competing priorities.
• Quick learner, initiative-taker, and can adapt to a fast paced, multi-faceted, and dynamic organization.
• Ability to articulate a proposal clearly and concisely for a new strategy or solution to a problem so that others can quickly and easily understand.
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
• Demonstrated computer competency and knowledgeable of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and social media outlets.
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas.
• Strategic thinking skills to develop and execute short- and long-range goals.
• Ability to respond to customer needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.
• Advanced technical skills in areas of software and hardware selection, installation and support, programming, and cyber-security
• Experience developing and overseeing budgets for a technology-focused team.

Additional Division Expectations

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Duties/Responsibilities

(50%) Organizational Leadership & Strategic Technology Management

• Lead a departmental team of 35+ employees spanning multiple specialized teams to develop and execute data analytics and information technology efforts in partnership with and in support of division units.
• Direct technological and analytical efforts for Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) units and actively participate in planning with units and identify creative solutions that can help the division and specific units reach their goals.
• Cultivate relationships between the Advancement Information Technology department and other DAR units to build a culture of service, innovation, and accountability.
• Identify goals and projects where units overlap and may benefit from working together – or where Advancement Information Technology may be able to work more efficiently.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and balance operational support with strategic initiatives.
• Supervise staff reporting directly to this position to ensure everyone is meeting all his/her goals, objectives, and project timelines; Evaluate his/her performance annually.
• Mentor all team members on an ongoing basis, develop talent, and build succession pipelines.
• Determine fiscal and personnel requirements of office and prepare budgetary recommendations and forecasts.
• Define strategic roadmap for advancement technology, analytics, training, and digital services for DAR. Roadmap will support fundraising, constituent engagement, data strategy, and financial operations.
• In conjunction with subordinate managers, analyze the needs of DAR’s functional departments and business owners to help to establish priorities for technology systems and solutions.
• Serve as primary technology advisor to DAR senior leadership, UGAF executives, and DAR staff.
• Lead systems transformations, including deployments, data governance initiatives, and modernization efforts.

(20%) Vendor Strategy & Contract Leadership 

• Strategically manage vendors, consulting partners, and platform providers.
• Lead contract negotiation, licensing strategy, SOW development, and performance evaluation to ensure long-term, value-driven relationships that protect DAR and UGA Foundation interests.

(15%) Technology Architecture & Systems Oversight

• Direct stewardship of DAR’s enterprise systems: CRM, financial ERP, BI/reporting, content systems, integrations, donor and alumni data depositories, and ecosystems for each.
• Oversee and guide lifecycle decisions: selection, contracting, implementation, scaling, sunset, and replacement of hardware, software and services.

(10%) Stakeholder Engagement & Cross Unit Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between technology and business partners across DAR, UGAF, central IT, campus units, and external groups.
• Translate user needs into scalable solutions, roadmaps, and implementation plans.
• Champion digital transformation, automation, and process redesign where applicable.

(5%) Data Governance, Compliance, & Security

• Oversee UGA Foundation PCI-DSS, audit controls, financial compliance technologies, and information recovery planning.
• In coordination with identified data trustees and stewards, define and enforce data integrity, retention, access, policy and privacy practices for donor and UGA Foundation information.

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requirements

The Executive Director of Advancement Information Technology is responsible for project management, resource management, supervision of Information Technology (IT) professionals, and communication of IT services and support for the Development & Alumni Relations Division. This individual is responsible for IT strategic and operational planning, implementation, and evaluation. This position is also responsible for the identification, selection, and application of appropriate technology resources to support the Division, as well as the security of all departmental and donor information. Technology services provided under the leadership of this position must meet and/or exceed University standards for design, security, and delivery.
This position is also responsible for portfolio management of core systems used by DAR, including the UGA Foundation’s financial ERP, donor CRM, reporting platforms, and integration ecosystems.