Director of Endowment & Gift Fund Strategy

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Position Summary : The Director of Endowment & Gift Fund Strategy provides strategic leadership and oversight of the College's endowment and restricted gift portfolio. This role is responsible for ensuring the effective growth, governance, utilization, and stewardship of endowed and restricted funds in alignment with donor intent and institutional priorities.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Director serves as the College's subject matter expert on endowment management and donor-funded assets. The position plays a critical leadership role in connecting philanthropic investment to measurable student and programmatic outcomes, while advising senior leadership on strategy, policy, and risk management related to restricted funds.

The Director partners closely with the leadership of Business & Finance, Financial Assistance, and Academic Programs to maximize the impact of funds, strengthen donor engagement, and support institutional fundraising priorities.

Key Responsibilities :

Endowment Strategy, Governance & Oversight

• Establish and oversee policies and practices governing endowed and restricted funds, ensuring compliance with donor intent, institutional standards, and applicable regulations.
• Partner with Business & Finance and senior leadership to recommend and monitor endowment spending and long-term usage strategies.
• Serve as the institutional authority on restricted fund compliance and governance.
• Advise senior leadership and relevant committees on endowment performance, fund utilization, and strategic opportunities.

Donor Strategy & Advancement Integration

• Partner with gift officers and Institutional Advancement leadership to structure, position, and optimize new endowed funds and major gifts.
• Provide strategic guidance on fund design to align donor interests with institutional priorities and long-term impact.
• Contribute to campaign planning and fundraising strategy, particularly related to endowed giving and scholarship support.
• Collaborate with Advancement leadership to strengthen donor stewardship and enhance long-term donor engagement.

Scholarship & Programmatic Fund Impact

• Oversee institutional strategy for the equitable, effective, and fully compliant distribution of endowed scholarship funds.
• Partner with Financial Assistance and Academic Programs leadership to ensure alignment between donor intent and student award outcomes.
• Monitor and drive full utilization of available funds, minimizing unused balances and maximizing student benefit.
• Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to assess and communicate the impact of endowed funds on student success and institutional priorities.

Donor Stewardship & Impact Reporting

• Direct the development of a comprehensive stewardship and reporting strategy for endowed and restricted funds.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, timely, and strategic donor communications, including impact reports and financial summaries.
• Oversee the integration of student stories, outcomes data, and financial reporting into compelling donor narratives.
• Partner with Institutional Advancement and Marketing & Communications to elevate storytelling and demonstrate the impact of philanthropic investment.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide leadership and direction for staff responsible for endowment administration, scholarship coordination, and reporting.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration among Institutional Advancement, Business & Finance, Financial Assistance, and Academic Programs departments to ensure alignment and efficiency.
• Chair or participate in institutional working groups related to endowment management, scholarship distribution, and fund governance.

Systems, Analytics & Process Innovation

• Oversee the integrity and strategic use of data related to endowments and restricted funds across advancement and financial systems.
• Develop and implement dashboards, analytics, and reporting tools to support decision-making and transparency.
• Identify and lead process improvements to enhance efficiency, internal controls, and cross-departmental coordination.
• Ensure systems and processes support both operational excellence and strategic insight.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 2-5 years of progressively responsible experience in advancement services, endowment management, finance, or nonprofit administration.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing restricted funds, endowments, or complex financial portfolios.
• Experience interpreting and applying donor agreements, compliance standards, and governance practices.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at multiple levels of an organization.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial and regulatory concepts into clear, compelling narratives.
• Familiarity with advancement CRMs and financial reporting tools.

Preferred

• Master's degree (e.g., MBA, MPA, or related field).
• 5 to 10 years of experience in higher education or a complex nonprofit environment.
• Prior experience managing staff and leading teams.
• Experience supporting campaign planning, major gifts, or donor strategy.

Key Leadership Competencies

• Strategic leadership and institutional Perspective
• Financial and analytical acumen
• Influence and relationship management
• Operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Stewardship mindset and donor-centered thinking

Required Documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV