Deputy Director

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary:

The Deputy Director provides strategic operational leadership for all Advancement Services functions in support of the Division of Institutional Advancement and the NEIU Foundation serving as a thought partner and proactive analytical resource to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement / Executive Director of the NEIU Foundation.

Reporting directly to the Vice President the Deputy Director oversees Foundation financial operations donor and alumni data systems Board relations regulatory compliance and the Foundations public-facing transparency and reporting. The Deputy Director also leads change management planning for the Divisions anticipated evaluation and transition to new or upgraded database platforms and acts for the Vice President / Executive Director in his or her absence.

The Deputy Director directly supervises two University staff: a Business Administrative Associate and an IT / Technical Associate and fosters a collaborative high-performing Advancement Services team culture.

Job Description:

Foundation Board Relations Financial Oversight & Compliance:

• Serve as primary liaison to the NEIU Foundation Board of Directors and its Investment Committee; prepare and present complex financial data investment strategy analyses and compliance briefings for committee and full Board meetings.

• Act as an advisory resource to the Vice President on IRS regulations 501(c)(3) compliance and emerging trends in higher education philanthropy. Monitors issues proactively and recommends corrective or preventive actions before they become problems.

• Oversee the allocation and investment of Foundation assets across all asset classes including cash endowment accounts property and planned giving vehicles; work with the Foundation Treasurer to monitor Foundation financial health.

• Administer Foundation annual reporting obligations for federal grants including Title V; manage obligations under Charitable Remainder Trusts and Life Insurance gift vehicles.

• Develop document and provide transparent reporting on Foundation policies and operational procedures to the Board; instruct Advancement staff on time-keeping compliance with government standards.

• Oversee state-funded revenue and expense accounts for Institutional Advancement Alumni and Development offices.

Data Systems Operations & Change Management:

• Direct the operations administration and policy development of Raisers Edge NXT and Financial Edge NXT platforms ensuring full system functionality constituent data integrity and regular data audits.

• Lead change management planning and execution for the Divisions anticipated evaluation selection and potential transition to a new or upgraded database platform. Support staff readiness assessment and phased training through migration timelines and operational continuity.

• Proactively identify functional gaps and areas for improvement in existing systems; develop queries and document business processes and workflows.

• Supervise hire train coach and evaluate Advancement Services staff; develop goals and monitor performance through regular review cycles.

• Provide technical advice to management on complex or controversial accounting and technology issues.

Web Presence Digital Systems & Third-Party Platforms:

• Direct the development and maintenance of Institutional Advancement NEIU Foundation and NEIU Alumni Association web pages and online communications platforms including online payment processing.

• Manage import data and reconciliation of third-party fundraising platforms such as PayPal and GoFundMe Pro; oversee the Omatic import module for constituent data management in Raisers Edge.

• Manage system contracts and provide recommendations on renewal terms.

Foundation Transparency Reporting & Stakeholder Communication:

• Ensure the NEIU Foundation maintains an accurate timely and publicly accessible online presence that reflects its financial stewardship and philanthropic impact including current fund disbursement data endowment performance figures and impact statistics that inspire donor and public confidence.

• Respond to inquiries from University fiscal agents regarding grant disbursements fund balances spending timelines and reporting requirements.

• Prepare and publish donor-facing communications annual impact summaries and fund activity reports; collaborate with University Marketing and Communications to ensure digital content is accurate professionally presented and aligned with institutional messaging.

• Develop training resources and educational materials to help staff fiscal agents and Foundation Board members understand Foundation processes systems and reporting obligations.

• Identify and pursue new opportunities to advance the Foundations digital visibility and credibility.

Audit Readiness Internal Controls & Process Improvement:

• Serve as the Foundations primary internal audit coordinator; ensure documentation controls and financial records are complete organized and audit-ready at all times - not merely at year-end.

• Independently evaluate the financial position of the Foundation and Advancement Services units; monitor internal controls and financial procedures for accuracy and compliance.

• Partner with internal and external auditors to confirm fiduciary responsibility and compliance with University policies Foundation bylaws and applicable federal and Illinois state law.

• Produce regular internal financial reports flagging discrepancies irregularities or trends requiring management attention; recommend and implement process improvements.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement / Executive Director of the NEIU Foundation.

Minimal Qualifications:

1. Eleven (11) years of progressively responsible management work experience in a private or governmental organization:

A. Eight (8) years in the area of designated specialization required by the

position

AND

(3) years supervising the work of a professional staff or process within the designated specialization

• Bachelors degree may be substituted for the above three (3) years non-specialized experience requirement

• Masters degree may be substituted for one (1) year specialized work experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in nonprofit foundation operations higher education advancement or a comparably complex 501(c)(3) environment.

• Hands-on experience with Raisers Edge NXT and/or Financial Edge NXT or comparable CRM and financial platforms.

• Demonstrated experience leading technology change management including database evaluation selection or migration.

• Familiarity with IRS regulations governing gift acceptance planned giving vehicles and 501(c)(3) compliance.

• Experience preparing financial reports and analyses for board-level audiences.

• Commitment to transparency and public accountability in the stewardship of philanthropic resources.

• Masters degree or advanced degree in a relevant field.

This position requires a background check.

Salary Range

$90000 - $95000

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit ourEmployee Benefitspage to learn more about our comprehensive benefits packageincluding health dental and vision benefits sick and vacation days and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women Minorities Veterans and Persons with Disabilities as well as other qualified Illinois Universitys positions are contingent upon the Universitys receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.