Senior Data Systems Administrator: Blackbaud Specialist

Senior Data Systems Administrator

Position Summary:

The Senior Data Systems Administrator is the primary owner of Thayer Academy’s Blackbaud ecosystem and the data that flows through it. This role is responsible for the administration, integration, quality, security, and long-term effectiveness of Blackbaud Student Information System, Learning Management System, Financial Aid, Enrollment Management, and Raiser’s Edge NXT.

This position serves as the technical and functional expert for institutional data, translating operational needs into reliable workflows, reports, integrations, and tools. The administrator works closely with Advancement, Admissions, Business Office, Academic Offices, Registrars, IT, and school leadership to ensure that data is accurate, connected, secure, and useful.

This is not a traditional database administration role centered on SQL Server maintenance. The role is focused on Blackbaud platform expertise, data architecture, integrations, reporting, automation, and support of school-wide business processes.

This is a full‑time exempt hybrid position reporting to the Director of IT.

• Serve as the lead administrator and subject matter expert for Thayer’s Blackbaud environment, including:
  • Blackbaud Student Information System
  • Learning Management System
  • Raiser’s Edge NXT
  • Associated Blackbaud APIs, exports, imports, and integration tool
• Maintain system configuration, security roles, permissions, forms, workflows, portals, and constituent records.
• Manage annual rollover processes, academic year setup, schedule imports, grading periods, report cards, transcripts, and other recurring operational needs.
• Partner with division offices, Admissions, Business Office, Advancement, and Academic Leadership to ensure Blackbaud supports evolving school processes.

• Develop and maintain standards for data integrity, consistency, naming conventions, field usage, imports, exports, and record ownership.
• Audit and monitor data quality across Blackbaud and connected systems.
• Identify duplicate, incomplete, or inconsistent data and implement processes to prevent recurrence.
• Establish and document best practices for constituent management, student records, advancement data, and school reporting.
• Chair and support the school’s data governance committee.
• Create and maintain clear documentation for data definitions, procedures, workflows, and system dependencies.

• Own the integration and synchronization of data between Blackbaud and connected systems, such as:
  • Finalsite
  • Magnus Health
  • Naviance
  • S2 / Lenel security systems
  • Camp Thayer systems
  • Google Workspace
  • Microsoft 365
  • Other institutional applications as needed
• Design, maintain, and troubleshoot automated imports, exports, and integrations using Blackbaud APIs and SDKs, CSV, XML, JSON, and One Roster formats.
• Scheduled data transfers and scripting.
• Develop and maintain custom scripts, middleware, connectors, and workflows to reduce manual effort and improve reliability.
• Evaluate integration limitations within the Blackbaud ecosystem and design practical workarounds when needed.
• Monitor integration failures, reconcile errors, and maintain documentation for all automated processes.

• Design and maintain reports, dashboards, queries, and data extracts for departments across the school.
• Build reusable tools and reporting processes that allow departments to access accurate data without relying on ad hoc manual work.
• Support leadership, advancement, admissions, business, and academic offices with data analysis and reporting needs.
• Translate operational questions into useful reports and actionable insights.
• Create and maintain custom forms, workflows, and lightweight tools that improve the usability of the Blackbaud ecosystem.

• Provide day‑to‑day support for faculty, staff, and administrators using Blackbaud and connected systems.
• Troubleshoot issues related to accounts, permissions, integrations, workflows, reports, data discrepancies, and constituent records.
• T…