Business Director

Drew University is seeking a Business Director. This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Business Director serves as the operational and financial backbone of the University Advancement division. This senior individual-contributor role combines strategic fiscal stewardship, high-level operational coordination, and Board-level engagement. This position also includes dedicated executive support to the Vice President to ensure the division functions at peak efficiency. The Business Director manages the full financial portfolio of the Advancement division, oversees business operations for the Concert Hall, and serves as the primary operational partner to the Vice President. In this capacity, the Business Director translates institutional priorities into action - often without direct supervision and with significant latitude to make time-sensitive decisions on behalf of the division, ensuring seamless coordination across internal and external stakeholders. This position is remote with occasional travel to campus for meetings and/or events.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES FISCAL MANAGEMENT & FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT

Builds and manages comprehensive strategic fiscal planning and budgeting for the University Advancement division, including coordination and preparation of the Annual Operating budgets for Advancement, Donor-Funded Events & Programming, The Concert Hall, and Campus Venue Rentals. Independently evaluates financial risks and recommends course-corrections to the Vice President , exercising significant judgment in prioritizing competing fiscal needs across the division. Oversees all contract and standard operating procedure reviews for all the above areas and is the liaison between the University and Advancement vendors. Supervises the departmental Office Manager and oversees their work that includes - but is not limited to - vendor requisitions, purchase orders, check requests, and travel/purchase card reconciliations. Maintains detailed budget files and financial records; monitors departmental expenditure; and tracks budget variances. Serves as the division's primary liaison to campus Finance, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Human Resources, and Legal. Provides ad-hoc financial analysis and decision-support materials to the Vice President and senior leadership.

CONCERT HALL BUSINESS OPERATIONS

As part of the overall departmental fiscal management, oversees all business and financial operations for the Concert Hall, including contract review, vendor management, revenue tracking, and expense reconciliation. Partners with Concert Hall leadership to develop and monitor annual operating budgets, ensuring alignment with divisional financial goals. Ensures compliance with university financial policies in all Concert Hall transactions and agreements.

DONOR-FUNDED EVENT PROGRAMMING

Designs and oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of large donor-funded annual events - such as the multi-engagement Drew Forum, The Kean Visiting Professorship, and The Karpati Lecture - ensuring programming reflects donor intent and institutional priorities. Collaborates with Advancement leadership, major donors, and campus partners, to develop event concepts, manage timelines, and deliver high-quality experiences for donors, stakeholders, and audiences. Tracks event budgets and expenditures against donor-designated funds, ensuring compliance with gift restrictions and University financial policies. Produces post-event reports and stewardship materials that document outcomes and communicate impact to donors and stakeholders.

BOARD RELATIONS

Staff the Board of Trustees Advancement Committee, the C ommittee on Trustees, and the Finance and Investment committees and organizing meetings, managing minutes and agendas, and preparing presentations and materials for the committees and their sub-committees. Develops polished PowerPoint/Google Slides presentations for senior leadership and Board audiences.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS & EXECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP

Exercises independent judgment in determining when matters require Vice President escalation versus direct resolution, serving as a decision-making proxy on routine and recurring operational issues. Serves as a conduit between the Vice President and internal and external stakeholders, facilitating communication and ensuring timely responses on key institutional matters. Independently creates and maintains departmental policies, protocols, and administrative records-including confidential personnel files. Manages the Vice President s calendar, appointments, and travel arrangements with a high degree of judgment and discretion, proactively and independently resolving scheduling conflicts and anticipating needs.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor s degree or equivalent experience. 6-10 years of progressive experience in departmental administration, preferably in higher education, with demonstrated financial/operational management responsibilities. Self-starter with entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to act decisively with a high degree of autonomy and make consequential decisions with limited oversight in a fast-moving and dynamic environment. Highly resourceful, with the ability to formulate and implement creative solutions independently. Proven experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and fiscal operations in a higher education or nonprofit environment. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse population of administrators, trustees, donors, and staff. Demonstrated ability to draft and edit professional communications, proposals, and executive presentations for senior and Board-level audiences. Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. Proven track record of handling highly confidential and sensitive information and situations with discretion. Experience working with Google G Suite and Microsoft Office products with familiarity with CRM systems. Direct experience with Banner and/or Raiser s Edge is a plus. Experience supporting senior executives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment with competing priorities. Ability and willingness to work outside of standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, as required for events and Board meetings.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials: Cover letter Resume

ABOUT DREW UNIVERSITY

Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, Drew Theological School, and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City. Drew s one-of-a-kind, leading-edge path to an undergraduate degree, Launch , ensures that every student graduates with a purpose, sought-after transferable skills, a network of mentors, and an experience-based résumé-guaranteed. Drew s unique, immersive learning experiences include professionally mentored scientific research in RISE and DSSI , volunteer and community-based opportunities through the Center for Civic Engagement , making industry connections in seven semesters in New York City , and exploring the world through eye-opening international study abroad trips . Drew University s two graduate schools, Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies, confer 10 master s and four doctoral degrees. Numerous certificate programs are also available. All programs are based on Drew s renowned commitment to faculty-student mentorship, opportunities for out-of-the-classroom experiential learning, and facilitating a robust intellectual and global community, with many programs offered in hybrid or fully online modalities. To enrich education through diversity, Drew University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Following federal and state requirements, a candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected for hire. These positions are subject to a background check.