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Description

The Deputy Director of Foundation Finance \& Compliance (Deputy Director) is a senior leadership position within the JSU Development Foundation, reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Deputy Director serves as the Foundation’s chief accounting and compliance authority and is the primary financial and operational bridge between the executive leadership of the Foundation and its day-to-day accounting and finance functions.

This position provides strategic financial oversight, ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory and policy requirements, and strengthens the operational infrastructure of the Foundation. The Deputy Director exercises direct supervisory authority over two parallel teams: the Comptroller, who oversees the day-to-day accounting function, and the Director of Donor Relations \& Stewardship, who leads the Foundation’s donor stewardship and scholarship administration program. The Deputy Director is jointly accountable with the Executive Director for the Foundation’s fiscal integrity, governance health, compliance posture, and donor stewardship standards.

The Deputy Director is instrumental in translating executive strategy into financial operations, ensuring that all accounting functions, audit processes, compliance obligations, gift management practices, and donor stewardship activities are carried out with the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and accountability. This role plays a critical part in advancing the Foundation’s mission of supporting Jackson State University, a Historically Black

College and University with a distinct philanthropic environment and governance context.

Examples of Duties

Financial Leadership \& Strategic Oversight

• Serve as the Foundation’s chief accounting and compliance authority, ensuring all financial operations adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), FASB standards, UPMIFA, IRS regulations governing 501(c)(3) organizations, and all applicable state and university policies.

• Provide executive-level oversight of the Comptroller and the broader accounting function, establishing performance expectations, reviewing key deliverables, and holding the accounting team accountable for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

• Review and approve all major financial reports, statements, and analyses prepared by the Comptroller prior to submission to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, or external parties.

• Oversee the preparation of annual budgets, multi-year forecasts, and cash flow models to support strategic decision-making by the Executive Director and Board.

• Present financial statements, endowment performance reports, compliance updates, and risk analyses to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Finance and Investment Committees.

• Advise the Executive Director on all financial matters relevant to Foundation operations, gift acceptance decisions, major expenditures, vendor contracts, and strategic investments.

• Provide financial modeling, scenario analyses, and cost-benefit assessments to support evaluation of new programs, capital initiatives, and staffing decisions.

Compliance \& Governance

• Design, implement, and maintain a comprehensive system of internal control frameworks, financial policies, and compliance protocols to protect the Foundation’s assets and reputation; conduct formal annual reviews and present findings to the Executive Director and Finance Committee.

• Establish and maintain a fraud prevention and detection program, including segregation of duties protocols, dual-authorization requirements for significant transactions, and whistleblower reporting mechanisms.

• Oversee the Foundation’s regulatory filings, including the IRS Form 990, charitable registration renewals, and other state and federal compliance requirements; ensure all filings are accurate, complete, and timely.

• Ensure Foundation adherence to donor intent, endowment management policies, scholarship and fund stewardship requirements, and applicable industry best practices, including NACUBO standards.

• Maintain a comprehensive compliance calendar tracking all tax filing deadlines, regulatory reporting requirements, grant reporting obligations, and audit milestones; ensure all deadlines are met.

• Partner with legal counsel, university compliance offices, and external entities as needed to mitigate risk and ensure continuous regulatory compliance.

• Review and recommend updates to the Foundation’s Investment Policy Statement as market conditions, Board objectives, or regulatory requirements evolve; coordinate implementation through the Comptroller.

External Audit Coordination \& Tax Oversight

• Serve as the primary Foundation liaison to external auditors; oversee the annual audit engagement from planning through final report, including review of all schedules, work papers, and supporting documentation prepared by the Comptroller.

• Ensure audited financial statements are completed and presented to the Board no later than 180 days following fiscal year-end, or within the timeline specified by the Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).

• Review the Foundation’s annual IRS Form 990 and any required state nonprofit filings prepared by the Comptroller prior to submission; ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely filing.

• Manage all material correspondence and responses related to IRS inquiries, state regulatory filings, and audit findings, in coordination with Foundation legal counsel and the Executive Director.

• Ensure compliance with all federal and state requirements governing 501(c)(3) organizations, including public support tests, unrelated business income tax (UBIT) considerations, and executive compensation disclosure requirements.

Endowment \& Investment Oversight

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Foundation’s investment advisors and custodians, monitoring portfolio performance against Board-approved benchmarks and presenting quarterly results to the Finance and Investment Committees and the Board.

• Coordinate with the Board’s Investment Committee to implement the Foundation’s Investment Policy Statement (IPS), including asset allocation guidelines, spending policy, and investment manager evaluation criteria.

• Review quarterly endowment performance schedules and fund-level reconciliations prepared by the Comptroller; present results and analysis to the Executive Director and Board.

• Oversee endowment fund distribution calculations in coordination with the Comptroller, ensuring accuracy and timely disbursement to designated accounts in accordance with the Board-approved spending policy.

• Lead periodic review and preparation of recommended updates to the Investment Policy Statement for Executive Director and Board consideration.

Gift Processing \& Data Integrity

• Provide leadership oversight of gift processing operations, ensuring timely, accurate entry, receipting, and reconciliation of all philanthropic contributions in coordination with the Comptroller and Gift Processing staff.

• Establish and strengthen gift acceptance, documentation, and reconciliation practices between the Foundation and the university, including CRM Advance and Banner Finance reconciliation protocols.

• Ensure data accuracy and reporting consistency across CRM and financial systems; review and approve monthly gift fund reconciliation reports prepared by the Comptroller.

Donor Relations \& Stewardship Leadership

• Play a key role in establishing and growing a comprehensive Donor Relations and Stewardship program that ensures exceptional donor experiences, transparency, and long-term engagement.

• Oversee the creation of donor acknowledgment processes, endowed fund reports, impact reporting, and stewardship communications in collaboration with Institutional Advancement leadership.

• Ensure fiduciary compliance with all donor agreements, endowment guidelines, and restricted fund usage; review Comptroller-prepared fund reports and reconciliations prior to donor distribution.

• Support donor stewardship by ensuring that all financial reporting related to gifts, endowments, and funds reflects the highest standards of accuracy and accountability.

Supervision of Direct Reports

• Exercise direct supervisory authority over the Comptroller and the Director of Donor Relations \& Stewardship, establishing clear performance expectations for each, conducting regular evaluations, and providing ongoing coaching and professional development.

• Review and approve all major deliverables produced by the Comptroller prior to external distribution, including monthly financial report packages, Board financial reports, audit-ready schedules, and regulatory filings.

• Provide the Comptroller with clear direction on financial policy, compliance requirements, and accounting standards; escalate any material issues or concerns to the Executive Director.

• Ensure operational continuity of the accounting function by maintaining adequate staffing levels and supporting cross-training within the finance team.

• Evaluate and recommend upgrades to financial management systems, accounting software, CRM platforms, and stewardship technology in coordination with the Comptroller, Director of Donor Relations \& Stewardship, and the Executive Director.

Strategic Planning \& Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Advise the Executive Director and Foundation Board on financial strategy, risk management, resource allocation, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

• Work collaboratively with Institutional Advancement, JSU Finance, and academic and administrative units to streamline financial, operational, and stewardship processes across the institution.

• Contribute to the development of Foundation policies, operational systems, and innovative practices that enhance financial integrity, operational effectiveness, and donor confidence.

• Support institutional philanthropic efforts, including major fundraising campaigns and planned giving initiatives, by providing accurate financial data, projections, and compliance guidance.

Typical Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration (MBA), or Public Administration is strongly preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure is required. Active CPA license in the State of Mississippi, or eligibility to obtain reciprocity, is expected within twelve (12) months of hire.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in nonprofit accounting, financial management, or compliance roles, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Demonstrated experience providing financial oversight of a nonprofit, university foundation, or comparable higher-education financial operation.
• Direct experience supervising accounting or finance professionals, with a track record of developing staff and building high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated experience working with a Board of Directors or Finance Committee, including preparation and presentation of Board-level financial reports and compliance updates.
• Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit accounting standards, external audit coordination, Form 990 preparation, and regulatory compliance.

Experience managing endowment funds, restricted gifts, and investment portfolios in a nonprofit or foundation setting.

• Experience with gift processing operations and CRM or fundraising management systems; familiarity with CRM Advance and Banner Finance preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with active licensure in Mississippi at time of hire.
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential.
• Experience as a Controller, Comptroller, CFO, or Deputy Director in a university foundation, nonprofit foundation, or higher education institution.
• Familiarity with NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) standards and best practices.
• Experience with investment manager selection, performance evaluation, and Investment Policy Statement administration.
• Direct involvement in building or leading a Donor Relations and Stewardship program within a philanthropic or advancement context.
• Experience implementing or upgrading accounting systems or ERP platforms in a nonprofit or higher education context.
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, bequests, and life insurance gifts, and their proper accounting treatment.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Technical Financial Expertise

• Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as applicable to nonprofit organizations, including ASC 958 (Not-for-Profit Entities) standards.
• In-depth knowledge of IRS regulations governing 501(c)(3) organizations, including Form 990 reporting requirements, charitable gift substantiation rules, unrelated business income tax, and executive compensation disclosure.
• Strong working knowledge of internal control frameworks (such as COSO) and their application in a nonprofit accounting and foundation environment.
• Proficiency in financial management and accounting software, preferably Banner Finance, as well as Microsoft Excel and other analytical tools sufficient to performcomplex financial modeling, scenario analysis, and data interpretation.
• Working knowledge of UPMIFA and endowment management principles; familiarity with investment policy administration and portfolio reporting.

Leadership and Management

• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and develop professional accounting staff in a results-oriented environment, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, meet firm deadlines, and maintain accuracy during high-demand periods such as audit season and fiscal year-end.
• Proven capacity to translate executive strategy into operational financial direction; comfortable operating both at a strategic level and with technical financial detail.
• Ability to establish and enforce financial policies, hold staff accountable to standards, and build a culture of integrity and transparency across the finance function.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to translate complex financial data into clear, accessible narratives for executive leadership and Board members.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and ethical conduct in handling confidential financial, donor, and institutional information.
• Ability to build collaborative, trust-based relationships with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Executive Director, Board of Directors, Finance andInvestment Committees, Comptroller, university finance colleagues, external auditors,

legal counsel, and investment advisors.

Mission and Institutional Commitment

• Genuine commitment to the mission of Jackson State University and the JSU Development Foundation, and an understanding of the unique financial and regulatory environment of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, integrity, and sound stewardship of philanthropic and institutional resources.