Description
About North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today NC State is the largest university in North Carolina, with more than 40,500 high-performing students, over 10,000 preeminent faculty and staff and over 310,000 alumni. NC State is a research-extensive university known for its leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The University is also at the forefront of teaching and research in agriculture, business, design, education, humanities and social sciences, natural resources, textiles and veterinary medicine. NC State is consistently named as one of the best values in higher education, and many of our programs are ranked at the top of their respective disciplines. The university takes a great deal of pride in its collaborative, supportive and collegial team culture. All staff are provided opportunities for training and professional development, with an eye to personalized career growth.
About University Advancement
The Advancement Team at NC State is a dynamic and entrepreneurial group of development professionals. The Division of University Advancement is dedicated to helping NC State achieve its full potential, transforming lives in North Carolina and solving the grand challenges of a complicated world.
University Advancement (UA) secures support for NC State University by raising funds from private sources, engaging current and future alumni, building a culture of philanthropy, and enhancing the university’s reputation through integrated marketing and communications. Led by Vice Chancellor Brian Sischo, UA fulfills its mission through the operations of four main units: University Development, which seeks and obtains philanthropic support; Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, which fosters and maintains mutually rewarding relationships with the university’s alumni; University Communications and Marketing, NC State’s dedicated communications agency; and Advancement Services, which provides information management and other key support functions to all University Advancement units.
About Advancement Services
Advancement Services plays a vital role in advancing NC State University’s fundraising and engagement efforts through accurate data, innovative technology and exceptional service. The department delivers the systems, tools and insights that help the university build stronger relationships with alumni, donors and friends, ensuring every gift is managed with integrity and care.
Comprising the offices of Advancement Information and Technology, Gifts and Records Management, and Donor Services, the Advancement Services oversees application development, reporting and analytics, gift acceptance and processing, donor records management, gift agreements, endowment reports and naming opportunities. It also manages the university’s advancement systems and data, including Kindsight Ascend on Salesforce CRM. Advancement Services works closely with Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, University Development, University Communications and the college and unit advancement offices to provide reliable information and forward-looking solutions that strengthen philanthropy and engagement across the university.
Advancement Services also leads data and systems governance for University Advancement, promoting the ethical, consistent and secure use of information in all fundraising and engagement activities. By combining operational excellence with a culture of collaboration and innovation, Advancement Services helps NC State make data-informed decisions that drive meaningful and lasting impact.
The Opportunity
The future of fundraising is high tech and big data, and North Carolina State University (NC State) is looking for the right leader to navigate its advancement activities in this direction. The ideal candidate will have a combination of technical leadership and expertise in CRM management, along with sophisticated relationship skills, continuing NC State’s successful adoption of emerging technologies and practices.
The incoming Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology will have a powerful group of supporters, including Vice Chancellor Brian Sischo and senior leadership at the university. In addition, NC State has in place a highly performing fundraising team. The new Executive Director will also have an experienced team of talented programmers and report writers to partner with for success.
If you have the technical expertise and team management experience to take on this leadership role, have been a contributor to a CRM implementation project, think and work strategically and proactively about how technology can enhance fundraising, and are well networked in the advancement services community, please consider applying for this opportunity.
Position Summary
NC State is seeking a visionary and strategic leader to serve as the Executive Director of Advancement Information and Technology (AIT). This individual will be responsible for stabilizing and optimizing the technological foundation of University Advancement, ensuring the continued effectiveness, security, and efficiency of a robust technology ecosystem that powers fundraising, alumni engagement, and communications at NC State.
In February 2025, University Advancement (UA) successfully launched a transformational CRM implementation—Kindsight Ascend on Salesforce CRM. This implementation marks the beginning of an exciting new phase aimed at stabilization, enhancement, and innovation within our advancement technology ecosystem. As NC State prepares for a future capital campaign, this role will play a pivotal part in ensuring that the advancement technology infrastructure, data strategy, and business processes are optimized to support ambitious fundraising and engagement goals.
The Executive Director of AIT reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement Services and is the senior leader responsible for overseeing advancement application systems, analytics and data services, project management, and training. Leading an AIT team of 15 professionals, this role requires deep expertise in managing complex technological systems and an exceptional ability to effectively engage and communicate with functional users.
As a senior member of the Advancement Services Leadership Team, the Executive Director will work closely with University Advancement leadership, Chief Development Officers, OIT, Finance, and other university partners to align advancement technology strategies with NC State’s broader institutional goals. This individual will oversee enterprise-level systems management, data governance, analytics, security, and process optimization, ensuring that NC State remains a national leader in Advancement Services and a benchmark for technological excellence in higher education fundraising.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve as a key member of the Advancement Services Leadership Team, providing strategic leadership aligned with Advancement Services and University Advancement’s missions and objectives.
- Collaborate closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor to establish, implement, and maintain comprehensive strategic, tactical, and capital advancement technology plans, including resource allocation, budget management, staffing infrastructure, and related processes.
- Support the Associate Vice Chancellor in developing and articulating a clear vision for Advancement Services at NC State, regularly communicating it to stakeholders.
- Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and lifecycle management of systems supporting fundraising, constituent engagement, and advancement operations.
- Conduct ongoing research and evaluation of industry trends and emerging technologies, including developments within the Salesforce ecosystem, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and automation tools, to support business requirements and enhance advancement technology systems.
- Oversee analytics and data strategy, encompassing data visualization, reporting, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, and institutional surveys.
- Define, implement, and enforce policies, procedures, and guidelines consistent with Advancement and NC State’s Data Governance framework, ensuring efficient, secure, and compliant use of advancement constituent data.
- Chair the University Advancement Data and Technology Governance Committee (UADTGOV) and represent University Advancement on university-wide governance committees.
- Engage, communicate, and negotiate effectively with campus partners regarding advancement technology, information, and process initiatives.
- Foster collaboration with central university departments such as OIT and Finance, ensuring cohesive integration and alignment with university-wide objectives.
- Maintain strategic vendor and business partner relationships, actively managing contracts to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with business needs.
- Actively participate in the broader Advancement Services community through networking and engagement in industry associations, conferences, and professional groups to stay informed of best practices and trends.
- Oversee an AIT team of 15 members, including four direct reports: Director of Application Services, Director of Analytics & Data Services, Associate Director of Advancement Learning, and Project Manager.
- Provide strategic oversight, coaching, and mentorship to leadership within Application Services, Analytics & Data Services, Advancement Learning, and Project Management units.
- Supervise the recruitment, retention, organizational structuring, strategic oversight, coaching, and mentorship of Advancement Information Technology (AIT) staff.
- Ensure effective project management across Advancement Services projects, utilizing industry best practices and standards.
- Promote and encourage a culture of continuous learning and training, emphasizing thorough documentation and well-defined processes.
- Provide leadership support for initiatives such as campaigns, Day of Giving, and other high-volume, high-impact activities, significantly enhancing NC State’s culture of philanthropy and constituent engagement.
- Ensure NC State’s recognition as a national leader in Advancement Services, positioning the institution as a benchmark for excellence within the higher education advancement community.
Requirements
Requirements
Master’s Degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or other relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience. Five (5) years of IT experience with progressive responsibilities and demonstration of leadership.
Candidates should possess the following skills:
- Demonstrated experience managing complex technology systems, such as Salesforce CRM.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage technical teams, including recruiting, coaching, and performance management.
- Extensive experience with data governance, analytics strategy, data security, and compliance frameworks.
- Strong understanding of fundraising and alumni engagement within a university advancement or comparable setting.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills, including experience overseeing large-scale technology projects utilizing industry best practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse stakeholders including senior leadership, technical teams, and end-users.
- Proven ability to develop and manage budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships strategically and efficiently.
- Proven ability to lead and manage change within large, complex organizations.
Preference will be given to those who possess the following:
- Experience leading and optimizing a Salesforce ecosystem within an advancement environment, particularly utilizing Kindsight Ascend or Affiniquest Advancement CRM.
- Professional certifications related to project management (e.g., PMP), Salesforce Administration (e.g., Salesforce Certified Administrator, Salesforce Advanced Administrator), or Salesforce Developer (e.g., Salesforce Platform Developer I, Salesforce Platform Developer II).
- Experience managing and stabilizing a newly implemented CRM system.
- Experience developing reports in Salesforce Lightning, Tableau, and CRM Analytics reporting tools.
- Ability to code in modern programming languages (e.g., Apex, Lightning Web Components (LWC), JavaScript, or SQL) or effectively understand and critique the programming work of team members, vendors, or contractors.
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Raleigh and North Carolina
NC State University anchors the Research Triangle region, home of many of the country’s leading Fortune 500 technology, research and pharmaceutical companies, as well as other fine universities, with whom they share uniquely collaborative relationships. National rankings consistently rate Raleigh and its surrounding region among the five best places in the country to live and work, with a highly educated workforce, moderate weather, reasonable cost of living and a welcoming environment. Raleigh is situated in a vibrant, accessible part of the state, with the Atlantic Ocean two hours to the east, and the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours to the west. North Carolina’s rapid growth makes the state a top spot for young professionals and families. Raleigh reflects statewide growth as a city on the rise:
- #1 most livable city (Far & Wide, 2024)
- 2nd best state capital (WalletHub, 2026)
- #1 city for job opportunities and earning potential (New York Post, 2025)
- #1 city for recent college graduates (ADP Research, 2025)
- Top 5 metro for tech impact on local economy (Triangle Business Journal, 2025)
- #3 happiest city (SmartAsset, 2025)
- Best-performing large metro area (Milken Institute, 2025)
With Durham and Chapel Hill, the capital city anchors the Research Triangle, a national hotspot for high-tech enterprise. The region’s top companies—including IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, Biogen and GlaxoSmithKline—rank among the country’s best employers. NC State also maintains strong agricultural partnerships with Bayer, BASF and Syngenta, companies that lead the way in hiring new NC State graduates.
Applications & Nominations
North Carolina State University has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Beth Parsons
Principal
bparsons@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Beth Parsons specializes in the education and non-profit sectors, having held fundraising and leadership roles in prominent educational and social impact organizations for nearly 20 years. She partners with clients to develop search strategies on the basis of organizational needs and core values. Her extensive advancement network serves as a source of high-impact talent.
Sara Swisher-Anderson
Principal
sanderson@boyden.com
LinkedIn
Sara Swisher-Anderson is an accomplished executive search professional and human capital expert with more than 15 years’ experience and a strong track record of successful searches. Specializing in the non-profit and higher education sectors, she partners with leadership teams to develop strategies and recruit transformative leaders capable of driving organizational growth and resilience.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
