Director, Advancement Reporting & Analytics
Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, United States
Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Director, Advancement Reporting & Analytics to join Institutional Advancement (IA).
The director serves as the technical lead and architect for Institutional Advancement’s enterprise analytics infrastructure, with primary responsibility for the design, governance, and optimization of a Microsoft SQL Server–based data mart integrated with Tableau. The role architects and maintains scalable data models, ETL pipelines, and reporting frameworks that consolidate Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and third‑party systems into a centralized, authoritative analytics layer supporting fundraising, alumni and family engagement, and campaign operations.
The director acts as the principal owner of IA reporting architecture, overseeing data standards, metric definitions, refresh processes, and performance optimization to ensure consistency, reliability, and analytical rigor across all executive and operational reporting. The position coordinates and prioritizes reporting and analytics initiatives for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and IA leadership, delivering advanced analytical products—including dashboards, longitudinal analyses, and predictive models that inform strategic planning, resource deployment, and performance management.
Working in close partnership with the Director of Advancement Data Services, the Director of Prospect Management and Analytics, and the Director of Gift Administration and Recording Secretary, this role evaluates and evolves existing data structures; designs future‑state reporting and analytics solutions; and establishes best practices for data governance, documentation, and self‑service analytics. The position leads the development of analytical models that assess and predict prospect development, donor behavior, volunteer engagement, and fundraising outcomes, translating complex, multi‑source data into decision‑ready insights for senior leadership and governing bodies.
The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Essential Functions Gift and Fund Records Management and Reporting
Manage new gift reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA) and internal leadership for new expendable and endowed gifts, and reporting of new funds and fund relationships to Donor Relations and Engagement
Conduct regular reconciliation of restricted expendable and endowment funds with the Office of Finance and Administration to ensure accuracy of Raiser’s Edge fund records
Monitor and maintain Fund Records in IA’s central database, Raiser’s Edge, ensuring accuracy and completeness of fund records, their associated attributes and relationships, including stewardees and founding donors
Create and maintain digital files for all fund‑related documentation, including executed gift agreements, amendments, and inbound and outbound correspondence from RISD faculty/ staff, donors, attorneys, stewardees, and other related parties
Support time‑sensitive gift processing functions as needed at the guidance of the Director, Gift Administration, and Recording Secretary
Gift Agreement Management
Leverage knowledge of RISD’s Gift Acceptance and Naming Policies to translate and prepare Gift Agreements/Statements of Intent
Seek and gather input from fundraisers, IA Communications, IA Stewardship and other IA colleagues to develop language for Gift Agreements in accordance with RISD’s Gift Acceptance and Naming Policies and donors’ intentions
Manage workflows for moving Gift Agreements/Statements of Intent from templated drafts to executed documents through Asana project management and a rigorous approvals process. Recommend workflow improvements, modifications, and/or software solutions.
Resolve issues in accordance with established Gift Agreement Guidelines. Escalate issues to the Director, Gift Administration + Recording Secretary, and/or VPIA when necessary for outreach to RISD’s General Counsel or VP Finance as required by proposed gift terms and considerations
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in business, finance, or accounting, or equivalent level training and/or experience with legal contracts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of five (5) years of fundraising, gift administration, or non‑profit accounting experience
Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues, within an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Previous experience with relational databases/constituent relationship management software
Strong attention to detail, including close reading and comprehension of text. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to shift priorities and deal with changing demands in an effective manner
Demonstrated ability to engage as a positive team member who establishes productive relationships, demonstrates respect, and facilitates understanding by considering and integrating diverse viewpoints.
Intermediate knowledge of MS Office and Google Suites
Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of speed and accuracy. Ability to analyze and adjust work procedures to achieve maximum efficiency and donor responsiveness
Appreciation for a collaborative environment with involvement of multiple stakeholders in Gift Agreement/Statements of Intent management
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of IRS and CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) guidelines on gift management and reporting
Knowledge of fundraising, gift administration, and/or non‑profit accounting
Experience with Project Management software
Union No
Work Schedule 35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status Full‑time; Exempt; Regular
Grade 560EX
Work Modality Hybrid Eligible
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
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The director serves as the technical lead and architect for Institutional Advancement’s enterprise analytics infrastructure, with primary responsibility for the design, governance, and optimization of a Microsoft SQL Server–based data mart integrated with Tableau. The role architects and maintains scalable data models, ETL pipelines, and reporting frameworks that consolidate Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and third‑party systems into a centralized, authoritative analytics layer supporting fundraising, alumni and family engagement, and campaign operations.
The director acts as the principal owner of IA reporting architecture, overseeing data standards, metric definitions, refresh processes, and performance optimization to ensure consistency, reliability, and analytical rigor across all executive and operational reporting. The position coordinates and prioritizes reporting and analytics initiatives for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and IA leadership, delivering advanced analytical products—including dashboards, longitudinal analyses, and predictive models that inform strategic planning, resource deployment, and performance management.
Working in close partnership with the Director of Advancement Data Services, the Director of Prospect Management and Analytics, and the Director of Gift Administration and Recording Secretary, this role evaluates and evolves existing data structures; designs future‑state reporting and analytics solutions; and establishes best practices for data governance, documentation, and self‑service analytics. The position leads the development of analytical models that assess and predict prospect development, donor behavior, volunteer engagement, and fundraising outcomes, translating complex, multi‑source data into decision‑ready insights for senior leadership and governing bodies.
The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Essential Functions Gift and Fund Records Management and Reporting
Manage new gift reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement (VPIA) and internal leadership for new expendable and endowed gifts, and reporting of new funds and fund relationships to Donor Relations and Engagement
Conduct regular reconciliation of restricted expendable and endowment funds with the Office of Finance and Administration to ensure accuracy of Raiser’s Edge fund records
Monitor and maintain Fund Records in IA’s central database, Raiser’s Edge, ensuring accuracy and completeness of fund records, their associated attributes and relationships, including stewardees and founding donors
Create and maintain digital files for all fund‑related documentation, including executed gift agreements, amendments, and inbound and outbound correspondence from RISD faculty/ staff, donors, attorneys, stewardees, and other related parties
Support time‑sensitive gift processing functions as needed at the guidance of the Director, Gift Administration, and Recording Secretary
Gift Agreement Management
Leverage knowledge of RISD’s Gift Acceptance and Naming Policies to translate and prepare Gift Agreements/Statements of Intent
Seek and gather input from fundraisers, IA Communications, IA Stewardship and other IA colleagues to develop language for Gift Agreements in accordance with RISD’s Gift Acceptance and Naming Policies and donors’ intentions
Manage workflows for moving Gift Agreements/Statements of Intent from templated drafts to executed documents through Asana project management and a rigorous approvals process. Recommend workflow improvements, modifications, and/or software solutions.
Resolve issues in accordance with established Gift Agreement Guidelines. Escalate issues to the Director, Gift Administration + Recording Secretary, and/or VPIA when necessary for outreach to RISD’s General Counsel or VP Finance as required by proposed gift terms and considerations
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in business, finance, or accounting, or equivalent level training and/or experience with legal contracts or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of five (5) years of fundraising, gift administration, or non‑profit accounting experience
Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues, within an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Previous experience with relational databases/constituent relationship management software
Strong attention to detail, including close reading and comprehension of text. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to shift priorities and deal with changing demands in an effective manner
Demonstrated ability to engage as a positive team member who establishes productive relationships, demonstrates respect, and facilitates understanding by considering and integrating diverse viewpoints.
Intermediate knowledge of MS Office and Google Suites
Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of speed and accuracy. Ability to analyze and adjust work procedures to achieve maximum efficiency and donor responsiveness
Appreciation for a collaborative environment with involvement of multiple stakeholders in Gift Agreement/Statements of Intent management
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of IRS and CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) guidelines on gift management and reporting
Knowledge of fundraising, gift administration, and/or non‑profit accounting
Experience with Project Management software
Union No
Work Schedule 35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status Full‑time; Exempt; Regular
Grade 560EX
Work Modality Hybrid Eligible
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
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