Director of IS at LSU Foundation in Baton Rouge, LA

Kate Spikes

The LSU Foundation is seeking a dynamic and highly technical leader with a strong understanding of the university fundraising environment to formalize and build an information services department centered on the Ellucian Advance database. This position provides leadership in the selection, planning, design implementation, evolution and support of information systems to meet the strategic needs of the LSU Foundation.



Responsible for managing implementations of LSU Foundation information systems and upgrades to existing systems, including identifying where systems can be leveraged to meet business needs, assuring data integrity, implementing information and technology solutions required by users, determining where delivered systems meet/do not meet business needs, meeting scheduled production deadlines, reviewing and approving changes to the alumni and donor database, establishing and documenting policies and procedures, acting as liaison with users and programmers, and providing strategic guidance to the Information Services work groups.



Manage programming, information services, and IT staff responsible for project management, software creation, application administration, desktop support, training, and help desk requests; provide leadership that allows for flexibility within the team, cultivates team members and provides motivation to achieve goals and foster career development. Responsible for analyzing, recommending, and implementing changes and improvements in work processes related to technical advancements. This position will report to the Director of Advancement Services.



The mission of the LSU Foundation is to inspire and shepherd philanthropic giving to LSU and builds long-lasting relationships with donors who bring life to current and emerging university priorities. Its desire is to support LSU in its quest to enhance the student experience, provide working capital to recruit and retain world-class faculty and staff, support life-changing research, and drive economic development. The Foundation is dedicated to stewarding each gift to maximize donors’ impact on making LSU one of the best universities in the world.



Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages LSU Foundation information technologies and services functions. Determines priorities based on overall organizational goals. Provide advice and counsel to senior management, significantly influencing decisions. This position is accountable for providing leadership in development systems and implementing relevant development data content and retrieval for management and staff.

• Supervise Information Services staff associated with the daily business activities (report writing, end-user training, etc.). Work with Director of Advancement Services and other LSU Foundation staff to ensure the proper execution of multiple IT system projects, including acquisition, deployment, training, conversion, and maintenance.

• Gather information and report timely and accurately for monthly/quarterly/annual reports to LSU Foundation and University leadership. Expert in CASE Reporting Standards and Management Guidelines.



Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or other relevant field or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Five or more years’ experience as a programmer or business analyst; in depth understanding of fund raising business processes in a university setting; expertise in Ellucian Advance functionality; familiarity in report writing in various reporting tools; proficiency in SQL; four or more years supervisory experience; superior verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to effectively manage a diverse team in a structured way, and lead in a project-driving team environment; demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, lead teams, and work independently; able to understand and follow complex directions and work in a cooperative group; excellent organization and time management skills; ability to learn and adjust quickly to the database environment; superior planning and project management skills; knowledge of various system platforms; understanding of and skill in various software applications.

• Ability to work under pressure and with frequent interruptions; ability to sit for extended periods; meet inflexible deadlines; excellent customer service mentality; ability to pay close attention to detail; ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.



Ideal Qualifications

• Six or more years’ experience as a programmer or systems analyst; experience in higher education administrative computing and information services; expert in Ellucian Advance Web; proficiency in iModules, Office365 product line, and blackbaud Financial Edge; expertise in report writing, Oracle PL/SQL programming; experience with large scale conversion/migration projects.



Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The LSU Foundation wishes to fill this position quickly, but finding the right candidate is more important than the timeline, therefore the position will remain open until filled.



Candidates may apply https://netchexonline.net/HumanResources/ExternalAppTracker/Default.aspx?ShareGUID=1692057a-65dc-4225-804a-87f47a780b23.



An offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory pre-employment background check. The LSU Foundation is an equal opportunity/equal access employer.