Assistant Director, Strategic Operations

The Division of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement (PAE) seeks to foster lifelong relationships with WKU constituents through activities designed to honor the WKU spirit, engage all members of the WKU family in the life of the University, and secure private support to advance WKU's mission. The Division's core values drive our success through: a Positive and supportive culture, being Accountable for our work and to our peers, demonstrating we are a Resilient team that adapts to change, and see Feedback as an opportunity for growth, and above all, expect Professionalism at all times.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Strategic Operations is responsible for data analysis and trend identification, division reporting and forecasting, division budget support and project management as needed. This position will guide the division's Data Governance workgroup to review any potential updates of database standards to reflect best practices in constituent relations. The success of this position will require the ability to work independently to constantly evaluate, create and maintain quality reporting, forecasting and analytical support for the division that will provide quantitative data-driven results for optimal decision-making. Being able to utilize the Advance database as well as Infoview and other reporting tools is critical to the success of the Assistant Director in this role. This position is also responsible for assessing and strengthening current business processes and establishing new analytical, reporting, and forecasting practices.

The Assistant Director of Strategy and Appeals reports to the Director of Strategic Operations and Appeals.

Essential Job Functions:

The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted and assigned based on management discretion and institutional needs.

Data analytics, reporting and forecasting

• Identify, create and maintain reporting based on the needs of the division.
• Develop and track quantitative, data-driven analysis and reporting of fundraising results, metrics by various segments (college, type, subcategories, program, etc.), gift officer performance metrics, trend identification, and forecasts of future fundraising dollars.
• Implement consistent reviews, reports, analysis and processes, along with identifying areas of opportunity on a continual basis.
• Develop and maintain the Campaign Gift Table to include all prospects, campaign ratings, next steps, gifts needed and gifts remaining.
• Assist in budget tracking, maintenance of budgetary records and detailed, accurate reporting.

Project management

• Develop, monitor, and revise standard operating procedures for reporting, analytics, and forecasting.
• Establish a Data Governance workgroup to review any potential updates of database standards to reflect best practices in constituent relations.
• Identify process efficiency needs and work to implement process improvements and new guidelines as needed.
• Review and verify project expenditures, and complete reclassifications or modifications.
• Develop summary of monthly financial activity, evaluate, and forecast future expenses to ensure the division meets budget reduction and strategic goals.

Foster collaboration and partnerships

• Assist others on the team and/or across the division on special projects to support the division needs as necessary.
• Build partnerships across campus to drive PAE initiatives.

Support best practices

• Collaborate with team members and recommend improvements.
• Research best practices; evaluating and learning new tools to support philanthropic and alumni engagement needs.
• Contribute outside the box ideas in conjunction with research and best practices to position the division to be leaders in the industry.

Knowledge and Skills Considered Essential for Success:

• Must be a self-starter, organized and detail oriented.
• Ability to establish priorities and work independently.
• Capable of producing complex, accurate reports that present data in accessible ways.
• Strong mathematical, analytical and forecasting knowledge.
• Ability to succeed in a fast-paced and diverse workplace environment with rapidly shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, problem solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to effectively proofread.
• Ability to work in a team environment and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals to include faculty, staff, administration and vendors.
• Computer literacy and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as database management.
• Ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position in a competent manner following the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, responsibility, cooperation, and customer service.

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience with data analysis, reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and/or project management

Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services (EEO). To request an accommodation, report/express a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU''s Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Mr. Joshua Hayes, EEO Director/Title IX Investigator/University ADA Coordinator, via email at joshua.hayes@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5121.

The University is also required to investigate complaints of sex and gender-based harassment, also a form of discrimination, and has designated the Title IX Coordinator as the individual responsible for coordinating the investigation and response to such complaints. The Title IX Coordinator for the University is Ms. Andrea Anderson, who can be contacted via email at andrea.anderson@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-5398. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU''s https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php