Strategic Director, Gift Acceptance & 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

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.