Deputy Director

Northeastern Illinois University; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State of Illinois benefits

Background check

Job summary

Northeastern Illinois University is seeking a Deputy Director to provide strategic operational leadership for Advancement Services within the NEIU Foundation, serving as a partner to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The role oversees Foundation financial operations, donor data systems, board relations, and compliance, while guiding change management for new or upgraded database platforms.

You will supervise staff, manage Raiser's Edge NXT and Financial Edge NXT, ensure data

Qualifications

• 11+ years of progressively responsible management experience.
• 8+ years in the specified area, supervising professional staff.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred or substituted as allowed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison to the NEIU Foundation Board and Investment Committee with complex financial data.
• Oversee Foundation financial operations, data systems, reporting and compliance.
• Lead change management for database evaluations and migrations.
• Direct web presence, digital platforms, and third‑party fundraising data reconciliation.
• Ensure transparency and public accountability in philanthropic stewardship.
• Prepare donor-facing communications and annual impact reports.
• Coordinate internal audits and strengthen internal controls.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Board relations

Data analysis

Change management

Compliance

Staff supervision

Financial oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Financial Edge NXT

Job description

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 Foundation's public-facing transparency and reporting. The Deputy Director also leads change management planning for the Division's 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 Raiser's 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 Division's 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 Raiser's 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 Foundation's digital visibility and credibility.

Audit Readiness, Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Serve as the Foundation's 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

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

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

• Master's 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 Raiser's 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.

• Master's degree or advanced degree in a relevant field.

This position requires a background check.

Salary Range

$90,000 - $95,000

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 our Employee Benefits page 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.

Equal Opportunity

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