Executive Director, Advancement Services

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together.

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director, Advancement Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for the infrastructure, systems, data governance, analytics, and operational teams that enable a high-performing, donor-centered, and data-driven advancement program. This role will serve as the primary leader and part of the advancement leadership team, focused on building a scalable advancement operations that support philanthropic growth, campaign readiness, and exceptional donor experience.
The Executive Director leads a multi-functional team responsible for advancement communications and stewardship, operations and data systems, direct response programs, and events. This position sets direction, establishes priorities, and ensures effective execution through team leadership, strong performance management, and cross-functional alignment.
The Executive Director will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute.
The Executive Director will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, and Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties.

Job Description

Principal Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a comprehensive advancement services strategy that supports institutional priorities and fundraising goals.

• Provide strategic oversight and direction across advancement services functions, including donor relations and stewardship, advancement communications, operations and data systems, prospect management and research, direct response, events, gift processing, reporting and analytics, and data governance.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of advancement services professionals through effective talent management, succession planning, coaching, and performance accountability.

• Oversee direct response and events functions as direct reports, ensuring strategic alignment, effective execution, a reliable pipeline of donors, and measurable return on investment.

• Ensure that donor relations, stewardship, and advancement communications programs deliver a cohesive, high-quality, and donor-centered experience.

• Direct the development and optimization of advancement systems, including the CRM (Blackbaud), ensuring data integrity, usability, and adoption.

• Oversee gift management and processing to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure strong prospect management and research practices that support pipeline development and frontline fundraising success.

• Champion the use of data and analytics to inform decision-making, measure performance, and identify opportunities for growth.

• Establish, monitor, and continuously refine key performance indicators and dashboards across advancement services functions; provide actionable insights to drive growth and performance.

• Promote operational efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement across processes, systems, and workflows.

• Partner closely with frontline fundraising leadership to ensure advancement services functions effectively support donor strategy and engagement.

• Ensure alignment and collaborative partnerships across the enterprise, specifically the finance and information technology departments.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer

Direct reports include Advancement services team members across multiple functional areas including direct response and events. The team structure may evolve as the program grows.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Strong understanding of fundraising metrics, campaign operations, donor lifecycle management, and advancement performance measurement.

• Knowledge of data governance, information security principles, and regulatory requirements related to donor information management.

• Ability to lead organizational change initiatives, technology implementations, and process transformation efforts.

• Strong strategic and systems-oriented thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution through teams

• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and manage high-performing teams

• Deep understanding of advancement operations, including CRM systems, data governance, prospect management, and donor engagement practices

• Ability to leverage data and analytics to inform strategy and drive results

• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams

• Demonstrated commitment to operational excellence, innovation, digital transformation, change management, and continuous improvement

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

• Minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in advancement services, development operations, fundraising operations, or related nonprofit management functions.

• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-wide CRM implementations, technology enhancements, reporting initiatives, or operational transformation projects.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex functions and managing change through team structures

• Experience in healthcare, higher education, or a large nonprofit organization preferred

• Experience using Blackbaud enterprise-wide software preferred

• Experience evaluating and implementing emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, automation, or advanced reporting solutions to improve fundraising effectiveness and operation efficiency preferred

• Experience supporting campaign environments and fundraising growth initiatives preferred

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

• Position is hybrid, with required in-person duties 2-3 days/week.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay and Benefits*:

Pay Range:

$128,500.00 - $213,300.00 

Benefits:

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits

*Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

 

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law.

 

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.