Executive Director, Research and Relationship Management

Executive Director, Research and Relationship
Management

The George Washington University

Washington, District of Columbia

THE SEARCH

The George Washington
University (GW) seeks a proactive, collaborative, creative, and
strategic advancement services and operations professional to serve
as the executive director, research and relationship management
(executive director). Reporting to and partnering closely with GW’s
assistant vice president (AVP) of strategic advancement solutions,
the executive director will lead the research and relationship
management (RRM) cohort, creating and implementing a strategic
vision for development and alumni relations’ proactive and reactive
research services and relationship management system. Critically,
the executive director will serve as a key leader in establishing
the strategic plan for the RRM programs in the context of a
two-year CRM conversion and the planning and implementation of the
most ambitious comprehensive campaign in GW history.

The executive director is responsible for the vision, strategy,
and leadership of GW’s development and alumni relations (DAR) RRM
programs and will create and implement a formal vision for prospect
development. Acting as a critical partner and trusted advisor, the
executive director will collaborate closely with leadership and
staff across DAR and will build and enhance key relationships with
team members and internal clients. The executive director will
proactively identify and implement creative solutions to complex
challenges while developing and providing best-in-class services.
They will lead the development of best practices, policies,
procedures, and protocols for all research and relationship
management activities to orchestrate success and realize DAR’s
ambitious goals and aspirations. The executive director will
establish the strategic vision and direction for the RRM cohort,
build and hone each program, and effectively manage, empower, and
inspire RRM staff in the pursuit of a world-class prospect
development program. 

The ideal candidate will possess at least 10 years of relevant
professional experience, preferably in a complex research
university environment. The executive director must have a
comprehensive understanding of the development cycle and a depth of
expertise in best-practice prospect development and research.
Working knowledge of all major advancement functions is preferred,
including how prospect development supports these areas. The ideal
candidate will be an effective, confident manager who will empower
team members, break down silos, build and maintain a cohesive,
positive environment, and lead with high emotional intelligence. GW
seeks a candidate with superior project management skills, the
ability to work in a dynamic and demanding environment, and the
ability to triage competing priorities.

The executive director must be solutions-oriented and have
experience identifying, evaluating, and recommending strategies for
complex problems. The ideal candidate must demonstrate the
credibility, maturity, and sophistication to effectively engage
with executive leaders across DAR and diverse groups of internal
clients, including gift officers, provosts, the president’s office,
and the vice president for DAR. The executive director must possess
proficiency in Apra’s Body of Knowledge and AASP’s Best Practices
and the ability to manage highly sensitive information with a high
degree of judgment and discretion. Extraordinary communication and
negotiation skills, political savvy, flexibility, and cultural
agility to navigate a complex academic community will be essential
to success. In addition, candidates must demonstrate a deep
appreciation for, and an ability to articulate, the educational
mission and aspirations of GW. A bachelor’s degree is required; an
advanced degree is preferred.

The annual salary range for this position is $104,536-$151,518.
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based
on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental
budgets, qualifications, expertise, education, licenses, specialty,
and training. The stated hiring range represents GW’s good faith
and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at
the time of posting.

The George Washington University has retained the services of
Jack Gorman of Isaacson, Miller, the national executive search
firm, to conduct the search. Inquiries, nominations, and
applications may be directed to the search firm:
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/george-washington-university/executive-director-research-and-relationship-management