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.

The 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.

Primary Responsibilities

Blackbaud Ownership & Administration

• 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 tools
• 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.

Data Quality, Governance, and Best Practices

• 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.

Integrations, Automation, and Data Exchange

• 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 OneRoster 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.

Reporting, Analytics, and Tool Development

• 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.

Training, Support, and Cross-Department Collaboration

• 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.
• Train users on best practices, reporting, query design, and efficient use of Blackbaud.
• Develop written guides, training materials, and knowledge base documentation.
• Communicate system changes, process updates, and professional development opportunities to stakeholders.

Required

• 5+ years of hands-on experience administering Blackbaud systems in a K–12 school, higher education, nonprofit, or advancement environment.
• Deep working knowledge of one or more of the following:
  • Blackbaud SIS / LMS
  • Enrollment Management
  • Financial Aid Management
  • Raiser’s Edge NXT
  • Blackbaud APIs and SDKs
• Experience with data integration, imports, exports, synchronization, and troubleshooting across multiple systems.
• Strong understanding of data structures, relational data, field mapping, and data governance.
• Experience working with common data formats, including CSV, XML, JSON, and OneRoster.
• Ability to create and maintain scripts or lightweight automation tools for recurring data tasks.
• Strong reporting and analytical skills, including advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into clear explanations for non-technical users.
• Excellent written communication, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to protecting confidential student, employee, financial, and donor information.

Preferred

• Experience supporting K–12 independent school operations.
• Experience with Finalsite, Magnus Health, Naviance, S2 / Lenel, CampBrain or Camp Thayer systems, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365
• Familiarity with scripting languages such as PowerShell, Python, JavaScript, or similar.
• Experience using APIs, webhooks, middleware, or integration platforms.
• Experience with report writing, query design, or business intelligence tools.
• Understanding of FERPA, donor data privacy, and data security best practices.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Educational Technology, Computer Science, or related field.

Compensation

• $94,700 - $110,000

Application information

• Please click here to complete an application and upload your resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three to five references, including two present or past supervisors.
• Equal Opportunity Act: Thayer Academy is an equal opportunity employer. The Academy complies with and adheres to all state and federal anti-discrimination laws with respect to its employment practices. Thayer Academy does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, or any other category protected under state or federal law. This policy extends to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, assignment, working conditions, promotions, transfers, termination, re-employment, education, tuition assistance, employee treatment, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All employment-related decisions are made on a nondiscriminatory basis so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity
• Americans with Disabilities Act: Thayer Academy complies with all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws. This means that we will not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability in any phase of the employment relationship including application for employment, hiring, promotions and/or advancement opportunities, termination, compensation, training, and any other conditions or privileges of employment.

About Thayer Academy

About Thayer Academy Thayer Academy's mission is “to inspire a diverse community of students to moral, intellectual, aesthetic, and physical excellence so that each may rise to honorable achievement and contribute to the common good.” In its hiring practices, Thayer Academy seeks candidates who come from a broad range of backgrounds and can contribute to a diverse community, who love working with young people, who thrive when engaged in multiple arenas of school life, and who welcome professional growth. Located next to Braintree's historic district and just up the hill from the MBTA’s final Red Line stop is the historic 34-acre campus of Thayer Academy. Since 1877, our coeducational day school for grades 5-12 has been a dynamic learning environment in which each student is affirmed, supported, and challenged to grow and meaningfully achieve as young scholars, athletes, artists and leaders. Thayer continues to be a place where tradition and innovation meet, and where students form lifelong relationships with one another and with inspiring teachers who care deeply about their students' personal growth and academic success. Thayer is rooted in the intentionally holistic education of ...our students, who are viewed as whole individuals with affinities and talents in many areas. Unique to Thayer, because of deliberately coordinated scheduling, it is possible to be both a varsity athlete and sing on stage in the school musical--students here are not forced to choose one path or another. There is a supportive and collaborative camaraderie that pervades our halls and campus--one where students view their classmates as partners, encouraging one another to discover their hidden talents and develop them into lifelong strengths. When you work at Thayer Academy, you join a warm community of students, parents, and colleagues who value not only academic achievement but also a supportive environment in which continual growth and learning is encouraged and supportive through a robust array of professional development opportunities

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