Chief Operating Officer​/Chief Financial Officer

About UMF

The University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the mission of the University of Minnesota through philanthropy. UMF serves as the primary fundraising entity, partnering closely with the University to inspire and steward private support for scholarships, faculty positions, research initiatives, and programmatic excellence.

UMF’s mission is "To connect passion with possibility, inspire generosity and support greatness at the University of Minnesota." UMF’s vision is a future transformed by philanthropy, one dream and one gift at a time. Values include equity, inclusion, trust, bold initiative, integrity, and donor focus.

• Title:
  
  Chief Operating Officer / Chief Financial Officer (COO/CFO)
• Reports to:
  
  President & CEO, John Morris
• Direct reports:
  Controller (10+), AVP Finance & Fund Admin (8+), Director Legal Affairs (1), VP Information Technology (35+), MD UMF Real Estate Advisors (10+); total team ~70
• Key relationships: CHRO, EVP Development, VP Marketing & Communications, President & CIO UMF Investment Advisors, AVP Executive Operations, AVP Leadership Philanthropy, UMF Board of Trustees
• Location:
  
  Minneapolis, Minnesota (hybrid work environment; ELT in office 3‑4 times/week)
• Compensation: $425,000‑$510,000 base pay, plus incentives and benefits

• Partner with the CEO, ELT, and Board to develop a financial and operational strategy that integrates finance, IT, and real estate functions to support UMF growth.
• Build and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with University executive counterparts to coordinate planning, surface shared opportunities, and strengthen collaboration.
• Provide strategic financial analysis and thoughtful counsel and recommendations to the CEO, ELT, and Board.
• Translate strategic plans into actionable operational outcomes, scalable procedures aligned to growth objectives.
• Lead initiatives that foster growth, effectiveness, and efficiency while maintaining excellence.
• Advise the CEO, ELT, and Board on financial status, enterprise risks, governance, resource allocation, and opportunities with clear, data‑driven insights.
• Provide organizational leadership as a member of the senior leadership team, including raising and resolving cross‑organizational issues.
• Actively engage with Foundation staff to learn, reflect and act together so that the Foundation’s shared goals for community impact can be met.
• Actively demonstrate core organizational values in performing all duties.
• Select, monitor, and build strong relationships with external partners including bankers, audit firms, lawyers, etc.
• Ensure financial integrity through robust controls, effective systems, timely reporting, and compliance with regulatory and audit standards.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and long‑term financial planning aligned with UMF strategic objectives.
• Establish and maintain an enterprise risk management framework and business continuity planning that anticipates and mitigates operational, financial, and reputational risks.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies across UMF and subsidiaries.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of all required tax filings including 990s.
• Prepare and oversee financial and administrative policies, design internal controls and approval processes, and ensure they are well documented, communicated, and implemented.
• Serve as a key partner to UMFIA, the Board of Trustees and UMF leadership ensuring transparent communication, coordinated planning, and clarity around investment strategy, performance, risk and policy.
• Support governance and oversight of the invested assets and work closely with the UMFIA CIO to integrate investment insights and UMF’s financial position.
• Serve as ex‑officio member of UMFIA Board of Directors and support the UMF Finance Committee’s ongoing assessment of UMFIA.
• Provide high‑level leadership for a team of highly experienced IT leaders.
• Regularly lead review and analysis of UMF’s proprietary IT stack and roadmap for future enhancements or migration.
• Embed security, compliance and data integrity standards across all technology…