What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Advancement Services position at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary?
Overview
Founded by the merger of Gordon Divinity School at Gordon College and Conwell School of Theology at Temple University in 1969, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Seminary) provides exceptional graduate theological education in the Protestant tradition. A Gordon-Conwell education is marked by academic rigor, biblical grounding, missional focus, contextual relevance, and innovation. It is provided by superlative faculty across multiple campuses and learning modalities. It is equipping nearly 1,400 male and female students from a host of international countries who represent the denominational and ethnic diversity of the church. These students will join over 121,000 alumni who serve in all 50 U.S. states and over 100 nations around the world in ministries that make and grow disciples of Jesus Christ.
The Department of Advancement (Department) consists of 12 professionals in the offices of Advancement Services, Alumni, Development, and the Partnership Program who provide alumni and donors the opportunities to partner with the seminary in equipping Christian leaders for ministry through its education. The seminary has commenced The Equip Campaign, an effort to generate $27 million in annual scholarship support through the Gordon-Conwell Scholarship Fund and Partnership Program Scholarship Fund so our graduates can serve the Kingdom, not their debt.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement (Vice President), the Director of Advancement Services (Director) is responsible for providing leadership to the Office of Advancement Services (Office). The Director oversees the technology, data, and compliance that support the various offices and programs of the Department and their respective goals and objectives. This person also oversees prospect management and supervises the Advancement Services Coordinator (Coordinator) and the office’s student workers.
Technology, Data, and Compliance
- Serve as administrator for all Department systems, including Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Teams, Airtable, Workato, iWave, Relationship Science, and SONIS. Collaborate with vendors, users, and the Office of Information Technology (IT) in resolving system issues. Manage systems’ users and permissions. Ensure the integrity and security of data across all Department systems.
- Create and manage fund codes in Raiser’s Edge and gift reconciliation with Financial Edge. Create and manage list queries in Raiser’s Edge for alumni and donor communication, donor reporting, prospect management, and development officer activity.
- Collaborate with Department of Finance to ensure the Seminary’s compliance with gift solicitation and gift annuity registration.
Gift Agreements and Receipting
- Collaborate with development officers, Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President in the creation and completion of donor gift agreements for restricted and endowed gifts.
- Collaborate with Coordinator and student workers to ensure all gifts are accurately processed and receipted and key donors are acknowledged by development officers within 48 hours. Support Coordinator and students workers in gift processing and receipting as needed.
Supervision
- Create supportive workplace environment for team.
- Support Coordinator in pursuit of the goals and objectives of her or his role. Approve time away from work. Conduct annual review of work.
- Hire and manage student workers.
Required Competencies
- Strong proficiency with technology and systems
- Accounting experience highly preferred
- Supervision skills
- Highly organized and capable of managing multiple and competing priorities on time and budget
- Ability to work in a matrixed, multi-campus environment
- Commitment to collegiality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness
- Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the seminary
- Evident Christian faith and practice and active involvement in a local church
- Professionalism and confidentiality
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years in database management, prospect research, data analytics and/or related experience; preference for experience with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft applications
- Staff management experience
- Experience working in Christian higher education or graduate theological education is preferred
Salary : $27