Director of Advancement Operations

Director of Advancement Operations

Provides operational leadership for University philanthropy processes and the University Foundation. Working closely with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, university leadership, Foundation Board of Directors, and campus partners, this position ensures the effective administration of charitable giving, financial stewardship, donor information systems, compliance, and Foundation operations.

Foundation Operations & Financial Stewardship Responsibilities

• Provide management to the development team, conducting regular one-on-one meetings, supporting professional development, monitoring performance metrics outlined in foundation development plan.
• Oversee gift processing, deposits, acknowledgements, estate gift administration, complex gift acceptance and donor fund administration.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as liaison for financial reporting and audit activities.
• Liaison with accounting partners on monthly fund reconciliations and financial reporting through Foundation financial systems.
• Coordinate investment reporting and serve as liaison with investment managers and financial partners.
• Oversee IRS Form 990 preparation, state charitable reporting, and other regulatory requirements.
• Administer Foundation budgets, financial reviews, and annual operational planning.
• Coordinate UW System Foundation agreements, reporting, and institutional requests.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, fund compliance, and financial record integrity.
• Scholarship administration, including annual scholarship fund allocation. Develop stewardship, impact, and program outcome reporting for donors and Foundation leadership.

Advancement Services & Database Management Responsibilities

• Serve as administrator for the Foundation's Raiser's Edge database and related advancement technologies.
• Establish and maintain standards for data governance, quality assurance, and database integrity.
• Maintain constituent records, donor histories, board records, and alumni information.
• Provide reporting, analytics, mailing lists, and data support for fundraising, communications, events, and university initiatives.
• Coordinate data imports, exports, system integrations, and database maintenance.
• Conduct wealth screening research and prepare prospect reports and analytical dashboards.
• Analyze fundraising activity and constituent engagement metrics to support strategic fundraising decisions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Working knowledge of IRS regulations (including Form 990), charitable giving compliance, and nonprofit governance practices.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance and board reporting practices.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality with sensitive financial and donor information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, and financial and donor management software.
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and business processes that support organizational effectiveness.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Develops and monitors unit budget and approves unit expenditures
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
• Directs strategic planning initiatives and establishes unit objectives to ensure appropriate use of financial, administrative, and staffing resources and alignment with the strategic plan
• Delivers directed program messaging to internal and external audiences
• Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing organizational information on university business-relations issues, opportunities, and activities, and representing the interests of the unit

Department:

Advancement/Foundation

Compensation:

$80,000/annually

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 3-5 years of leadership experience in nonprofit, business operations, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and building high-performing teams.
• Experience working with governing boards, finance committees, or executive leadership.
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, fund accounting, and charitable gift administration.
• Experience with financial management systems, donor databases, and enterprise software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, Certificate of not-for-profit leadership, or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience working within a university foundation or institution of higher education.
• Familiarity with endowment management and investment reporting.
• Experience supporting fundraising operations and advancement services.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit your application with your resume and cover letter no later than August 9th, 2026. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This organization will not sponsor employment visas for this position now or in the future.

Contact Information:

If you have questions about the position or the application process, please reach out to Devon Borst at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Legal Notices and Important Information

Employment will require a criminal background check in accordance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.?(see TC1 - App. 4 and p. 12)?

Note: Criminal Background Check The Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division prohibits employers from using criminal background check information, policies or practices that have a "disparate impact" and is not "job-related and consistent with business necessity" in hiring decisions. All information used to screen or hire job applications should relate to the duties of the job.?

Reasonable Accommodations

It is the policy of UW-Parkside to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact the Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to provide reasonable accommodation for a qualified individual with a disability.

Parkside Crime Statistics Report

In compliance with the Clery Act of 1998, the University of Wisconsin Parkside Crime Statistics Report is available here. Call the UW-Parkside Campus Police Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io for a paper copy of the annual report.?

Transcript Requirement

Please note: Transcriptions will be required upon hire.??

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Universities of Wisconsin