Senior Director, Gift Acceptance and Fund Management

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University seeks a Senior Director of Fund Management to oversee gift processing, donor records, and fund management, aligning with donor intent and policy. This role leads multiple teams and partners with Advancement Leadership, Finance, Legal, and Technology to ensure compliant, scalable operations.

The position requires 10+ years in advancement services or related fields, with a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred). Strong knowledge of IRS and CASE standards is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Business, Nonprofit Management, Finance, or related field).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in advancement services, gift administration, fund management, or related field.
• Leadership experience managing multiple functional teams.
• Deep knowledge of fundraising operations, gift processing, donor database management (Salesforce/CRM preferred).
• Strong understanding of IRS regulations, CASE guidelines, and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Experience with gift acceptance policies, donor due diligence, and compliance frameworks in higher education or nonprofit environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives and institutional risk.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of gift processing, donor record management, and fund administration. Ensure accurate fund setup and management in alignment with donor intent and institutional policies.
• Ensure all gift transactions are processed accurately and in compliance with IRS regulations, CASE standards, and university policies.
• Lead donor due diligence and gift acceptance processes to assess reputational, financial, and legal risk.
• Oversee the accuracy and integrity of constituent records within the CRM. Implement constituent data governance standards, ensure proper record creation and maintenance.
• Oversee reconciliation between Advancement and Finance systems, ensuring accurate financial reporting.
• Lead efforts to standardize and improve advancement operations, including process optimization, system enhancements, and integration across campuses or units.

Skills

Leadership experience

Fundraising operations

Donor database management

IRS regulations knowledge

Donor due diligence

Data governance

Analytical skills

Communication with senior leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Salesforce

CRM systems

Job description

The Senior Director of Fund Management is a senior leadership role responsible for the oversight and integration of gift processing, donor record management, fund management, and donor due diligence within Advancement Resources. Ensures the integrity, compliance, and strategic alignment of advancement operations to support institutional fundraising goals.

The Senior Director leads multiple functional teams and establishes policies, procedures, and controls to ensure adherence to IRS regulations, CASE standards, donor intent, and university policies. Oversees donor due diligence and gift acceptance practices, assessing reputational, financial, and legal risk associated with philanthropic contributions. The Senior Director partners closely with Advancement leadership, Finance, Legal, and Technology teams to ensure compliant, efficient, and scalable operations across the advancement enterprise.

Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (Business, Nonprofit Management, Finance, or related field) with 10+ years of progressive experience in advancement services, gift administration, fund management, or related field

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multiple functional teams
• Deep knowledge of fundraising operations, gift processing, and donor database management (Salesforce/CRM preferred)
• Strong understanding of IRS regulations, CASE guidelines, and nonprofit accounting principles
• Experience with gift acceptance policies, donor due diligence, and compliance frameworks in higher education or nonprofit environments
• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional initiatives and institutional risk considerations
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to advise senior leadership

Key Accountabilities & responsibilities :

1. Leadership & Oversight of Gift Administration, Records & Fund Management

Provide strategic oversight of gift processing, donor record management, and fund administration. Ensure accurate fund setup and management in alignment with donor intent and institutional policies. Allocate resources and set priorities across teams to support efficient and compliant operations.

2. Gift Processing & Compliance Management

Ensure all gift transactions are processed accurately and in compliance with IRS regulations, CASE standards, and university policies. Oversee complex gift handling and maintain policies and procedures that support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

3. Donor Due Diligence & Gift Acceptance Oversight

Lead donor due diligence and gift acceptance processes to assess reputational, financial, and legal risk. Establish protocols for evaluating complex or high-risk gifts and partner with leadership, Legal, and Prospect Development on decision-making.

4. Data Integrity & Donor Record Management

Oversee the accuracy and integrity of constituent records within the CRM. Implement constituent data governance standards, ensure proper record creation and maintenance, and support constituent data needs across advancement functions.

5. Financial Integration, Reporting & Audit Readiness

Oversee reconciliation between Advancement and Finance systems, ensuring accurate financial reporting. Monitor gift feeds, resolve discrepancies, and support audit processes and reporting requirements.

6. Operational Integration & Process Improvement

Lead efforts to standardize and improve advancement operations, including process optimization, system enhancements, and integration across campuses or units.

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Expected Hiring Range:

$130,945.00 - $189,868.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.