"Executive Director, Advancement Compliance & Operations"

Job Details

Position Details

Position Information

Requisition Number
S4891P

Home Org Name
Chief Adv OP & Strategy Officer O&M

Division Name
Senior VP, Advancement

Position Title
Executive Director, Advancement Compliance & Operations

Job Class Code
OB23

Appointment Status
Full-time

Part-time FTE

Limited Term
No

Limited Term Length

Job Summary

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.

What You’ll Do:

• 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.

Now is the perfect time to join Auburn Advancement, a dynamic team encompassing Operations and Strategy, Culture and Talent, Engagement, Philanthropy, and Communications. Under the visionary leadership of Senior Vice President Rob Wellbaum – a seasoned and respected advancement professional – our organization is set to revolutionize the future of Advancement.

Essential Functions

Production:

• On behalf of the Auburn University Foundation and other affiliated organizations, works 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 makes 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.

Collaboration:

• 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.

Innovation:

• Proactively reviews potential implications of donor/data privacy and other laws impacting the Advancement function, the AU Foundation and/or the 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.

Purpose:

• 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.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or related field.
• 8 years experience in non-profit governance, regulatory affairs, and/or compliance.

Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications

Minimum Skills and Abilities

Minimum Technology Skills

Minimum License and Certifications

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate Desired.
• Experience as an attorney at law desired.

Posting Detail Information

Salary Range
$120,020 - $228,040

Job Category
Auburn Advancement

Working Hours if Non-Traditional

City position is located in:
Auburn

State position is located:
Alabama

List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position

Posting Date
11/12/2025

Closing Date

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit their website to learn more.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56886

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Please tell us how you first heard about this opportunity.
   (Open Ended Question)
2. * Please select the answer that best describes your current employment relationship with Auburn University:
   * Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee within probationary period
   * Current full-time Auburn or AUM employee outside of probationary period
   * Current part-time Auburn or AUM employee
   * Not an Auburn or AUM employee
3. * Do you have a Master's degree in Business, Finance, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or related field?
   * Yes
   * No
4. * Do you have 8 years of experience in non-profit governance, regulatory affairs, or compliance?
   * Yes
   * No