Position Title:
Associate Director, Advancement Information Services
Position Type:
Full time
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Categories:
Staff Exempt
Job Summary:
The Associate Director of Advancement Information Systems is a strategic, detail-oriented, and technically fluent leader who provides operational and technical oversight for the Advancement Information Systems (AIS) team within University Advancement, including direct supervision of AIS Analysts. This role oversees the advancement CRM platform, integration ecosystem, and related technology functions, driving innovation while ensuring system stability, scalability, and reliable service delivery. The Associate Director helps execute a sustainable technology roadmap by modernizing integrations, reducing manual processes, and strengthening data integrity and platform performance. Translates complex technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance for non-technical stakeholders and drive alignment between technology capabilities and Advancement needs.
Job Duties:
Essential Job Functions
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Operational Effectiveness: Leads and directs daily operations of the AIS team, translating Advancement priorities into executable work plans through innovation, prioritization, resource allocation, and delivery management. Develops and communicates a current technology roadmap including timelines, dependencies, and tradeoffs. Champions agile, iterative delivery practices and establishes structured processes for work intake, backlog management, and release planning to support predictable delivery and service performance. Integrates emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to streamline workflows, improve service delivery, and enhance team productivity.
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CRM Platform Administration & Oversight: Provides technical leadership for system development supporting Advancement business processes. Guide solution design for CRM customizations and reporting enhancements by evaluating feasibility, scalability and long-term sustainability. Acts as the primary decision-maker for configuration and development direction, escalating complex technical matters as appropriate.
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Integration & Automation: Leads the implementation and management of integrations between the advancement CRM and core campus systems, as well as key UA auxiliary platforms. Evaluates the existing landscape for fragility, redundancy, and manual dependency and develop a prioritized roadmap to modernize and rationalize system architecture. Supports the design, implementation, and ongoing evolution of the Advancement data warehouse, including data pipelines, transformation processes, and system integration patterns that enable scalable reporting and analytics. Drives automation and AI-enabled data processes that reduce manual intervention, improve data flow, and enhance reporting accuracy and speed.
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Strategic Stakeholder Engagement: Serves as a partner to Advancement stakeholders by translating system capabilities, constraints, and tradeoffs into clear, actionable guidance and recommendations. Sets expectations around priorities, timelines, and iterative delivery. Supports stakeholders in interpreting system outputs and identifying opportunities to improve usability, adoption, and decision-making.
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Leadership: Leads and inspires the team to achieve success. Mentors, manages and leads direct reports.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of advanced experience in information systems, technology services or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
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Proven ability to lead, mentor and manage technical team.
Additional Required Abilities and Skills:
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Demonstrated ability to drive and manage relational databases and technologies such as CRM systems or fundraising and engagement tools.
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Proven ability to lead system development and integration projects, including gathering user requirements, system design, testing, implementation, and documentation.
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Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders and manage cross-functional relationships.
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Demonstrated ability to support change initiatives, sustain motivation, and foster adoption of new tools and processes in a dynamic environment.
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Commitment to data-informed decision-making, innovation, and continuous improvement in support of organizational goals.
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Demonstrated leadership experience, including the ability to empower, build initiative, and sustain the motivation of a strong staff and to lead by example with internal and external constituencies
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Ability to effectively prioritize deadlines and proficiently manage multiple tasks
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Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical reasoning, with the capability to address issues in a logical and systematic manner.
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Sufficient technical fluency to evaluate solution design, guide development decisions, and provide hands-on support when needed, including working knowledge of relational databases and SQL, data integration concepts, reporting tools, and web-based technologies
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience with Blackbaud CRM and a wide variety of advancement software, with the ability to train and support users in the most effective use of those tools
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Experience with nonprofit fundraising and/or other University Advancement functions
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Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive modeling, workflow automation) and their practical applications in an advancement or higher education context
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Experience with IT service management or work intake tools such as TeamDynamix, Jira, or similar platforms
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Experience supporting or participating in a technology governance or advisory structure
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Experience working with relational databases and advanced SQL programming, including complex query design and optimization
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Experience designing, implementing, and optimizing complex ETL processes for data integration, ensuring high-quality and scalable data workflows.
Physical Requirements
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Office environment; no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands
Please note that applications without a cover letter are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Your cover letter is an opportunity to share your motivation for applying. Please describe why the Associate Director of Advancement Information Systems role at Bucknell is of interest to you and how your skills and experiences connect to the responsibilities of the position. We are looking for thoughtful, genuine interest beyond a summary of your resume.
Occasional evening and weekend work will be required to support system maintenance, upgrades, and the timely resolution of technical issues. Additionally, this position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming & Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and large Career events. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events.
We are looking for exceptional people who will embrace our values:
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Lead with Integrity
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Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
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Be Open and Receptive
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Nurture Creativity and Innovation
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Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge
University Advancement is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments – that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education. These values illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis
Job Exempt:
Yes
Salary Range:
88,000.00-110,000.00
The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.
This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
Benefits:
Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):
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Flexible scheduling options determined by role;
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Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
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An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
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Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
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Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
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A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
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A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card
To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)
Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.
E-Verify
Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program. We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email [email protected].
