Associate Director, Gift Acceptance and Fund Management (Hybrid)

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between $78,500-$83,000 per year or per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications. Please submit a cover letter with your application describing your specific interest in this role.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary:

The Gift Acceptance and Fund Management team, within Alumni Relations and Development (ARD), develops, implements, and directs many aspects of gift acceptance and fund compliance necessary to honor our donors' intentions and further Northwestern's mission. We work across campus and within ARD to manage all aspects of the gift agreement lifecycle, oversee key processes and reporting related to fund utilization and the compliant spending of private gifts to the University, and develop or maintain related policies and educational outreach.

Reporting to the senior associate director, Gift Acceptance and Fund Management, the associate director writes, redlines, negotiates, and finalizes complex gift agreements to assist ARD in maximizing resources that will increase engagement and donor participation. This role assesses individual team and priority needs, and creates, implements, and recommends resources and solutions accordingly. This includes updating related policies, guidelines, and resources based on an advanced understanding of current tax and legal regulations related to charitable giving. The associate director ensures the effective, compliant, and efficient daily management of operational functions related to gift acceptance in support of Northwestern's development and engagement goals and objectives, and in coordination with central offices. The associate director represents the team within ARD and around campus by recommending alternatives and suggestions related to gift agreements, including identifying bottlenecks and pain points in our workflows. The role ensures that all operational functions are completed in compliance with Northwestern policy, state and federal laws and regulations, with a goal to mitigate risk through flagging due diligence concerns, advising on exceptions, and balancing the interests of donors and the University.

This position will be hybrid eligible up to 2 days remote. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Gathers data and develops strategies designed to maximize operational services and support ARD's fundraising goals & objectives while promoting gift acceptance best practices.
• Reviews plans, meets with leadership and key faculty and staff, and recommends changes and improvements to operational services to better meet organizational needs and objectives, including training ARD staff and campus stakeholders on donor agreement processes and guiding colleagues in requesting exceptions from leadership during agreement development.

Collaboration

• Involves moderate- to-high-level of collaboration with both internal department partners and moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify and integrate resources in order to accomplish strategic goals and objectives.
• Key partnerships include:
  • Gift officers
  • ARD fundraising managers and directors of development
  • Office of General Counsel (OGC)
  • Accounting Services
  • Provost's Office
  • Gift and Record Services

Prospects & Gifts

• Drafts, negotiates, and finalizes complex and often highly customized gift agreements and related instruments clearly and concisely, and often with short deadlines, ensuring a balance between the University's needs and the donor's intentions.
• Acts as liaison to internal/external departments, attends meetings to determine needs, consult on strategy, manage projects and provide updates.
• Partners with client teams to conduct research on existing funds, review proposals, and flag unusual circumstances and business risks as gift proposals are being developed or as new agreements are negotiated.
• Maintains specific operational knowledge regarding Northwestern policies, practices, and procedures, and state and federal laws and regulations related to gift acceptance, ensuring accuracy of work, fast processing of highly complex information, and increasing fundraising effectiveness.

Evaluation

• Manages development and maintenance of evaluation processes including associated quantitative and qualitative metrics and key performance indicators.
• Reviews and analyzes outcome measurements and recommends changes, enhancements and improvements.
• Collaborates with internal/external partners to implement changes designed to improve/increase operational services goals/objectives.

Events

• Coordinates training and educational workshops, meetings, etc. including speakers, agendas, etc.
• Develops plans and arranges meetings and workshops, etc. designed to exchange information, promote client objectives, and to build internal and external relationships within NU around gift acceptance.
• Supports the team's hosting and stewardship of the annual Gift Agreement Writers and Advisers' virtual sessions and in-person annual meeting.

Administration

• Coordinates day-to-day operations ensuring that business processes and policies are appropriately maintained, efficient and effective. Recommends changes, enhancements and improvements related to our current technology platforms, including Hyland's OnBase, Cognos/Business Intelligence, DocuSign, ARD's CRM (Ellucian Advance), Fundriver, and other available technology.
• Compiles & analyzes data; prepares reports; shares results and recommendations with leadership and fundraising clients.
• Creates and maintains documentation, procedures, standards, and policies related to operational services.
• Conducts regular reviews of policies and documentation to ensure information is current.
• Researches best practices, peer institutions, market/economic conditions and government rules and regulations and recommends changes and enhancements to improve administrative effectiveness, services and/or resources.

Supervisory

• May provide work direction for more supportive roles within the team.
• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.

Miscellaneous

• Completes other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years operations, administration, development, or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Team leadership; curiosity and analytical thinking, global/organizational perspective; complex problem solving; ability to work in fast-paced environment; attention to detail; initiative; commitment to excellence

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Juris Doctor from an accredited institution, paralegal degree, library sciences, or an accounting/finance degree.
• Experience with financial information, endowment principles, and relevant legal issues
• Prior transactional legal or business experience involving reading, drafting, redlining, and/or negotiating agreements
• Demonstrated ability to prepare reports, summaries and analyses, and present findings and recommendations.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Excellent writing, proofreading, organizational, research, and analytical skills, with precise attention to detail.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Ability to work effectively under high stakes, manage competing priorities, complete projects, organize time, and identify resources for projects.
• Demonstrates a commitment to thoroughly understanding the details of the work being done, which is crucial for ensuring accuracy, improving processes, and achieving high-quality outcomes.
• Intellectual curiosity and a quick learner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize complex information.
• Proficiency using electronic word processing, spreadsheets, and database software.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

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