ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Director, Advancement Operations to join our team.
The salary range for this position: $85,000.00 - 90,000.00
Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Reporting to the senior vice president of Advancement (SVP), The director, Operations serves as a strategic leader and operational architect for the Advancement division. The incumbent is responsible for building and optimizing the systems, processes, and infrastructure that enable high-impact fundraising, alumni and industry engagement, and corporate partnerships.
This position will also serve as the Advancement project manager and will ensure organizational alignment and establish scalable frameworks for growth in accordance with the College’s project management methodology.
This is a full-time in-region position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Maybe required to work nights and weekends to staff department events.
Essential Functions
Operational Leadership & Strategy – 40%
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Provide strategic leadership for Advancement operations, aligning systems, processes, and workflows with institutional priorities
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Design, implement, and continuously improve operational infrastructure to support fundraising, partnerships, and engagement initiatives
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Serve as the division’s primary project manager to guide planning, execution, and delivery of key initiatives
- Develop and maintain documentation, timelines, and reporting mechanisms to ensure operational clarity and accountability
- Follow and enforce all College policies and work with Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management (EHS) in EEE to maintain a safe and secure working and learning environment for students, faculty and staff
Corporate Sponsored Projects Oversight – 35%
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Oversee planning, execution, and compliance for corporate-sponsored projects and initiatives
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Provide consistent leadership and clear direction to staff: oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, learning and professional development, and fair and equitable compensation grid placement of departments staff; oversee performance effectiveness, ensure consistent use of all applicable policies and procedures; counsel, discipline and makes recommendations in terminations
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Ensure consistency in execution, risk management, and partner experience across all projects
- Partner with Finance, Legal, Sponsored Projects, and campus stakeholders to ensure alignment, compliance, and fiscal oversight
Budget and Resource Management – 15%
- Support development and oversight of the Advancement division budget
- Monitor expenditures and resource allocation to ensure efficiency and alignment with priorities
- Identify opportunities for process efficiencies and cost optimization
Cross-Functional Collaboration – 5%
- Serve as a liaison across campus to ensure Advancement initiatives are coordinated, transparent, and effectively executed
- Facilitate collaboration among internal teams and external partners to support program success
- Promote best practices in project management, communication, and operational excellence
Non-Essential Duties — 5%
- Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
- Serve on educational or college-wide committees, work groups, task forces and/or councils
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college or university
- At least 5 years of experience in operations, project management, or related leadership roles, including budgeting, project management, and guiding performance effectiveness
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows and cross-functional initiatives
- Excellent oral and written communications skills, including ability to prepare professional written materials; ability to express ideas clearly and concisely; demonstrated ability to present information to individuals or groups
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse and collegial Advancement team as well as with faculty, staff, students and donors
- Ability to work occasional weekends and evening hours and to staff events
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter’s diverse communities of faculty, staff, students and visitors
- Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion and recognize the confidential nature of ArtCenter business
- Ability to enforce and implement policies and procedures
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
- Experience supporting corporate partnerships or sponsored projects
Physical Demands and Working Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitor; interactions with other individuals. Due to the nature of the work environment, there is regular exposure to fumes, dust and noise.
Physical: The position is performed in an office setting. Employees are stationary most of the time but may move around the office environment for brief periods of time. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight (up to 10 pounds); to operate modern office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Regular and consistent attendance are required for most positions. Ability to travel to offsite locations and between campuses. Able to work nights and weekends to attend events.
Vision: Must be able to have the visual capacity to perform activities such as preparing and reading reports, viewing a computer terminal and other normal office work with or without correction.
Hearing: Must be able to communicate effectively in the course of normal office communication or exchange ideas with or without correction.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this job; they do not purport to describe all functions. Employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may be changed from time to time as necessary.
Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.
Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.
Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president
ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Coordinator or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.
Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.
