Executive Director, Compliance & Operations

Executive Director, Advancement Compliance & Operations

Join Auburn University as the Executive Director, Advancement Compliance & Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Auburn Advancement’s efforts to ensure organizational governance, regulatory affairs, and operational compliance.

Auburn Advancement seeks candidates for the position of Executive Director, Advancement Operations and Compliance to join our operations and strategy team! In this position, you will serve as a key internal advisor to shape the future of Auburn Advancement’s efforts to ensure organizational governance, regulatory affairs, and operational compliance.

• Champion Philanthropy:
  By safeguarding the integrity of gift agreements, you’ll play a crucial role in fostering trust with Auburn’s donors. Your oversight ensures that contributions are aligned with both donor expectations and Auburn’s mission, enhancing Auburn’s long‑term ability to attract and steward philanthropic gifts.
• Organizational Integrity:
  Ensure that all Advancement policies and operational standards meet university and regulatory guidelines, serving as an advisor on non‑profit governance and compliance.
• Driving Regulatory Compliance:
  Manage the review and maintenance of contracts, policies, and critical documents across Auburn Advancement and its affiliated organizations, ensuring alignment with university standards, leading industry practices, and legal requirements.
• Advancement Collaboration and Leadership:
  Work closely with Auburn Advancement colleagues, campus partners, and external counsel to provide guidance on matters involving donor confidentiality, gifts, including gifts of real property, and donor intent.

• On behalf of the Auburn University Foundation and other affiliated organizations, work collaboratively with Advancement staff on gift agreements as appropriate, ensuring university and regulatory compliance as well as with Advancement policies including donor intent.
• On behalf of Advancement and the affiliated organizations, draft, review, and/or manage materials related to gifts of real property, including conducting appropriate due diligence and making recommendations to the VP of Advancement regarding real property contributions, and the retention, development, or sale of properties. Ensure accurate documentation and execution of related materials, collaborating with AU General Counsel and/or outside counsel as appropriate.

• Researches and advises Advancement leaders on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to, volunteers, clubs, gift acceptance, sponsorship guidelines, and applicable non‑profit regulations.
• Reviews proposed contracts, leases, and other formal documents on behalf of Advancement leadership as related to the affiliated organizations.
• As directed by the Vice President for Advancement, partners with Auburn University’s Office of the General Counsel, Risk Management and Government Relations on formal matters related to advancement and fundraising.

• Proactively reviews potential implications of donor/data privacy and other laws impacting the Advancement function, the AU Foundation and/or affiliated organizations.
• Manages all internal Advancement policies and procedures to ensure timely reviews, updates and training, and consistency with university policies. Ensures all organizational formal documents are processed and appropriately maintained in relevant systems.

• Assist Advancement leadership with formal record requests including donor/gift information involving the Auburn University Foundation, Auburn University Real Estate Foundation, and Auburn Alumni Association. Ensures appropriate referrals to the university’s General Counsel Office and/or external legal counsel on an ongoing basis.
• Provides guidance on compliance issues, including, but not limited to, record retention, donor intent, state charitable solicitation registration, insurance portfolios, and similar governance best practices.

• Life‑Changing Impact:
  Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our…