Description

The Senior Executive Director for Advancement Insights and AI Strategy is a senior executive leadership role responsible for ensuring the integrity, scalability, and strategic use of advancement data, systems, analytics, and artificial intelligence across Clark University. Reporting directly to the Vice President for University Advancement, this position provides enterprise-level oversight of advancement operations, internal controls, compliance, automation, and institutional insight at a moment of significant campaign growth and operational complexity.

This role exists to modernize advancement infrastructure through automation and AI; and deliver board- and cabinet-level analytics critical to campaign execution, the Clark Fund, engagement strategy, and long-term institutional decision-making. The Senior Executive Director serves as the University's senior authority on advancement data integrity, AI strategy, and analytical insight.

Organizational Leadership, AI Strategy and Clark Advancement AI Lab Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of the Clark Advancement AI Lab, ensuring all AI tools and agents operate within approved governance, ethical, and compliance frameworks.

• Ensure AI systems enhance, not replace, human decision-making, accountability, and judgment.

• Lead the rapid modernization of advancement operations through automation and system optimization

• Reduce manual workload, processing delays, and operational risk through scalable, technology-enabled solutions.

• Provide direct oversight and strategic direction to a team of:

  • Three colleagues: the Senior Director of Strategic Information Management, who manages advancement systems, gift processing, reconciliation with Finance, and advancement services staff.

  • Seven purpose-built AI agents built to support our advancement team: Campaign Toolkit Coordinator, Advancement Communications Specialist, Research Coordinator, Web & Content Officer, Analytics Coordinator, Compliance and Data Integrity Officer, and Donor Stewardship Officer.

Executive Leadership, Governance, and Oversight

• Provide senior executive leadership for advancement data, systems, analytics, automation, and AI strategy.
• Establish clear governance, review protocols, and accountability structures for advancement operations and analytics.
• Represent Advancement in senior-level discussions with Finance, Audit, Legal, IT, and Cabinet leadership as needed.
• Serve as the primary advisor on operational risk, compliance exposure, data integrity, and system readiness.

Analytics, Reporting, and Institutional Insight

• Deliver board, cabinet, and campaign-level dashboards and analytical insights.
• Oversee forecasting and performance analysis of the Campaign, for the Clark Fund and campaign initiatives.
• Produce engagement analytics, donor behavior insights, and scenario modeling to support strategic planning.
• Implement continuous monitoring of data integrity and operational performance.

Advancement Operations, Controls, and Compliance

• Oversee audit readiness, and regulatory compliance related to charitable giving.
• Implement automated compliance checks, alerts, and exception reporting to reduce human error.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of gifts, acknowledgments, reports, and data requests across University Advancement.

• Bachelor's degree required in information management, analytics, business, computer science, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement services, analytics, operations, or related fields. At least 5 years of senior leadership experience with enterprise-level responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience managing compliance-sensitive operations and complex data systems.
• Proven experience leading technology modernization and automation initiatives.
• Familiarity with AI applications in advancement, higher education, or nonprofit settings strongly preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, judgment, and executive communication skills.
• Deep understanding of gift processing, receipting, compliance, and advancement operations.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to manage risk, complexity, and change in high-stakes environments.
• Proven ability to collaborate across Finance, IT, Legal, and senior leadership teams.

Expected Hiring Range: $160,000 to $180,000

Pay Transparency Disclosure:
The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good-faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part-time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.

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