Assistant Director, Strategic Operations

Assistant Director, Strategic Operations

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY—a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents, and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid‑time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided.

Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green /about.

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 seeing feedback as an opportunity for growth, and, above all, expect professionalism at all times.

The Assistant Director of Strategic Operations is responsible for data analysis and trend identification, division reporting visualization 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, Infoview, Tableau and other reporting tools is critical to the success of the Assistant Director. This position is also responsible for assessing and strengthening current business processes and establishing new analytical, reporting, and forecasting practices.

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 in Tableau.
• 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.
• Work closely with Strategic Operations Analyst to collaborate and provide support when needed.
• Assist in budget tracking, maintenance of budgetary records…