Description
TITLE: Deputy Director
DEPARTMENT: Institutional Advancement
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, Illinois
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) seeks a strategic, analytically minded leader to serve as Deputy Director for Institutional Advancement. This is a role at the heart of the University’s philanthropic mission and the financial integrity of the NEIU Foundation.
The NEIU Foundation is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and component unit of the University, governed by its own Board of Directors and dedicated to stewarding the philanthropic resources that make NEIU’s mission possible. This is a State of Illinois civil service position within the Division of Institutional Advancement.
At a moment when the Foundation is deepening its commitment to transparency, preparing to evaluate new database and technology platforms, and expanding how it communicates its impact to donors, fiscal agents, and the public, this position carries important institutional weight. If you are a proactive analyst who reads ahead, flags issues before they become problems, and takes genuine pride in making complex operations work with accuracy and integrity, we want to hear from you.
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.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Foundation Board Relations, Financial Oversight & Compliance (35%)
- 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 (25%)
- 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 (15%)
- 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 (10%)
- 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 (10%)
- 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 (5%)
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement / Executive Director of the NEIU Foundation.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
As a State of Illinois University Civil Service position (SUCSS Class Code 1035 — Deputy Director), the following minimum qualifications apply:
- Eleven (11) years of progressively responsible management work experience in a private or governmental organization, including eight (8) years in a designated area of specialization and three (3) years supervising professional staff or a specialized process.
- A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for three (3) years of non-specialized experience; a master’s degree may be substituted for one (1) year of specialized experience.
- Thorough knowledge of modern management principles and staff supervision and motivation.
- Ability to plan and direct the work of professional staff; formulate and implement administrative policies and procedures.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with public, private, and governmental offices and agencies.
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.
Salary: $90,000 - $95,000 annually
HOW TO APPLY
To learn more and / or to apply for this position, please submit the following to Northeastern Illinois University via the NEIU Workday platform:
- Cover letter addressed to the Deputy Director Search Committee
- Current resume (required)
- Three (3) current professional references, including name, title, telephone number, and email address (required)
Application link: Deputy Director
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 individuals. Northeastern Illinois University’s positions are contingent upon the University’s receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.
