Foundation: Chief Operating Officer

POSITION: A full-time, professional academic staff position is available in the Foundation beginning in the summer of 2026. The working title for this assignment is Chief Operating Officer with an official title of Advancement Services Director. This is a renewable appointment. The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership for core functions that enable fundraising success, donor stewardship, and organizational effectiveness. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the COO ensures alignment between strategy and execution across the Foundation.

The COO oversees prospect research and management, data and database administration, and fundraising reporting and analytics, while also providing strategic oversight of affiliated enterprise functions, including Blugold Real Estate.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the President, the COO translates vision into action through data-informed decision-making, operational excellence, and the development of systems, talent, and processes that support sustainable growth and donor confidence.

Job Duties:

Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and executive leadership team on operational, financial, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Act as a primary liaison to the President, ensuring alignment of priorities, communication, and execution across functions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams across research, data, and analytics.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics aligned with strategic goals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Real Estate & Affiliated Entities

• Provide strategic and operational oversight of affiliated entities, including Blugold Real Estate.
• Serve as the Foundation's primary liaison to Blugold Real Estate and related boards.
• Oversee real estate activities, including property management, development initiatives, partnerships, and investments.
• Partner with external vendors, legal counsel, and university leadership to ensure strong governance, compliance, and performance.
• Monitor financial performance, risk, and long-term sustainability of real estate assets.
• Evaluate and support execution of real estate opportunities aligned with institutional priorities.

Prospect Research & Management

• Oversee prospect research, portfolio management, and donor pipeline development.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of donor and prospect activity to support fundraising strategy.

Database & Information Systems

• Provide strategic oversight of the Foundation's CRM/database (e.g., Raiser's Edge), ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.
• Establish and enforce data governance policies and compliance standards.
• Partner with IT and internal stakeholders to implement technology solutions that enhance efficiency and engagement.

Fundraising Reporting & Analytics

• Lead development of reports and dashboards to monitor fundraising performance and donor trends.
• Deliver actionable insights to inform leadership, development staff, and university partners.
• Oversee quarterly and annual reporting of development activity against goals.
• Coordinate reporting to the Foundation Board, auditors, and institutional stakeholders.

Operational Excellence

• Develop and manage departmental budgets and resource allocation.
• Establish and maintain operational policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement.
• Support strategic planning, campaign readiness, and organizational alignment.

Position Impact

The COO plays a critical role in ensuring the Foundation operates with excellence, transparency, and strategic alignment. By integrating data, operations, stewardship, and affiliated enterprise functions-including real estate-the COO strengthens fundraising effectiveness, enhances donor trust, and advances the mission of both the Foundation and the university it serves.

Department:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation

Required Qualifications:

Education