Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by newleadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work is organized around three core priorities: securing $500 millionin philanthropic support annually; deepening relationships with a sstrategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengtheningthe organizational foundation while launching focused priority areasacross the University.
Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed modelthat integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and thedistinctive strengths of BU’s schools and colleges. With more than 250advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity,partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropicmomentum and institutional impact.
- Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Advancement, the chiefoperating officer (COO) will serve as a key advisor to senior membersin Advancement leading the division in the areas of organizationaldevelopment, talent management, strategic planning, budget, facilitiesand oversee the following teams: People & Culture, Finance &Operations, and Advancement Information Strategies which includes:
- Business Intelligence and Prospect Strategies, Gifts & Records,Advancement Applications, and Client Technology Experience andCommunity.
The COO diagnoses organizational needs, develops and articulates acompelling vision, and introduces and executes effective, engagingprograms and initiatives. The COO will be an essential resource forAdvancement managers regarding staff and departmental planning,performance management, staff engagement and satisfaction, learningdevelopment, and building and fostering a healthy culture andproductive work environments. The COO leads the effort to attractquality talent, ensures strategic engagement, and guides theirperformance. Working closely with University HR partners, the COO willbe an active member and leader on the national network of strategic talent management in the not-for-profit sector.
The key priorities will be to develop and implement a strategic talentmanagement program that represents best practice in the industry; Identify and develop leaders; develop successor talent; and provide strategic direction in the processes and practices associated with thedevelopment and retention of talent at all levels of the organization.A key component will be leading the Advancement office in strategicplanning from year to year to ensure that every member of the teamunderstands the North Star and their role in achieving annualgoals.
The COO also oversees the departments of Finance, Administration andOperations including budget, space, facilities, payroll, Advancementpolicy and procedures and day to day operations including managingrelationships with key University partners in finance, operations andadministration.
This role provides strategic leadership for the Advancement InformationStrategies (AIS) unit, which supports the University’s fundraising,engagement, and participation goals through a strong informationinfrastructure and high-quality data services. This includes deliveringresponsive data support, insightful analysis, and streamlinedreporting, with a core and distinct emphasis on prospect management andresearch as a critical driver of fundraising success. The position isresponsible for designing and sustaining a state‑of‑the‑art prospectresearch and prospect management program that supports theorganization’s most significant growth priorities, including expandingvolunteer leadership, preparing for a future campaign, and enablingfundraisers at all levels to build and manage strong, results‑drivenportfolios. By delivering high‑quality research, data‑informedstrategy, and disciplined portfolio management, this role ensuresfundraisers are equipped to cultivate meaningful relationships andachieve stronger fundraising outcomes.
In close collaboration with Advancement colleagues and key campuspartners, the COO will oversee teams that provide resources andsolutions emphasizing accountability, adaptability, andconfidentiality. This role is focused on the continuous improvement ofsystems, processes, and analytics that drive the success of bothdivisional and University-wide initiatives.
An important part of this role is leading and managing change acrossAdvancement—helping staff understand and adapt to shifts in strategyand operations, and overseeing updates to policies, processes, systems,and compliance requirements (e.g., accounting, security, legal). Thisincludes ensuring timely, intentional communication with staff andrelevant external partners.
Primary oversight includes:
- People & Culture
- Finance & Operations
- Business Intelligence and Prospect Strategies, which encompassesAnalytics, Prospect Management, and Prospect Research
- Office of Gifts & Records
Additionally, the COO has secondary management responsibilitiesfor:
- Advancement Applications (in partnership with Information Services &Technology - IS&T)
- Client Technology Experience and Community (desktop support, alsowithin IS&T
The COO will lead a team and support 250+ Advancement Staff FTE’s withoversight of 53 FTE’s (28 Advancement Information Strategies, 16 IS&T,6 People & Culture, 3 Finance & Operations).
The ideal candidate brings at least 10 years of relevant experience, acollaborative and results driven leadership style, and a passion for
advancing business education within a leading global researchuniversity. A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is
Position Responsibilities:
ORGANIZATIONAL & TALENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- Provides counsel, advice, and support for the Senior Vice Presidentand the leadership team on a broad range of strategic and operationalissues.
- Builds, maintains, and directs the implementation of a comprehensive,integrated talent management program addressing recruitment; hiring,on-boarding, and orientation; training and professional development;staff engagement, recognition, and satisfaction; compensation; staffmanagement and retention; and organizational communication.
- Develops a deep understanding of BU’s campaign goals, themes,structure, and plans in order to create an integrated strategy fortalent management that directly supports the business of Advancementand the needs of the campaign.
- Oversees the design, implementation and delivery, and evaluation of avariety of programs, initiatives, policies, and practices that promoteand foster organizational excellence, integrity, community, andproductivity; the enhancement of individual and team performance andeffectiveness; the identification and adoption of best practices; andstaff engagement, professional growth and development, careeradvancement, satisfaction, and retention.
- Works closely with senior leaders and managers to ensure alignment ofunit and individual goals with strategic, long-term and annual goals,objectives, and plans, including designing and developing KPIs forinternal career growth in Advancement.
- Active member of national network of advancement talent managementleaders; attends/participates in professional organizations, talentmanagement conferences, workshops, programs, and other initiatives.Develops local, regional, and national network of professionalcolleagues.
- Builds regional, national and international perception and reputationof Advancement and BU as a leader in the advancement talent managementarena and an employer of choice for advancement professionals.
- Manage usage of external search or talent management consultants and
- create customized recruiting events, marketing campaigns, and other
- creative vehicles to attract talent.
ADVANCEMENT INFORMATION STRATEGIES
- Business Intelligence and Prospect Strategies.
- Oversee and advance a state‑of‑the‑art analytics, prospect
- management, and research function, leading a cross‑functional team andpartnering with senior leadership to optimize the major gift pipelineand ensure strategic use of data to identify and prioritize high‑valueprospects.
- Support the organization’s highest fundraising priorities, includinggrowing volunteer leadership, campaign readiness, and equippingfundraisers at all levels to build and manage strong, data‑drivenportfolios that drive deeper relationships and stronger fundraisingoutcomes.
- Gifts and Records
- Oversees gift processing and records management to ensure accuracy andcompliance. Serves as a key liaison with Finance, Treasury, and GeneralCounsel to uphold standards and maintain data integrity.
- DAR Applications and Data Governance
- Oversees and guides IS&T service delivery, data governance, and policydevelopment. Oversees onboarding and training for Advancement Servicesstaff to ensure consistent systems use and compliance.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Advises on classification of corporate and foundation contributionsand manages the submission of benchmarking and reporting data. Providesstrategic insights and reporting to support senior leadership andinstitutional priorities.
PROFESSIONAL, STRATEGIC & LEARNING DEVELOPMENT
- Develops and implements a process that engages all 255 team members instrategic annual planning.
- Oversees organization and programming for all-staff meetings,managers meetings, and other all staff learningopportunities.
- Develops vehicles and programmatic content and material for internalinformation and knowledge sharing, skill development, team building,and staff engagement—e.g., lunch-and-learn programs,staff-developed/staff-led workshops and courses, etc.
- Works with managers to identify professional developmentopportunities and develop effective strategies and plans and managesdivisional budget therein.
- Maintains and strengthens Advancement relationship with BostonUniversity’s Human Resources department through close collaboration andcoordination with Advancement’s HR business partners.
- Consults and partners with HR’s Organizational Development andTraining department, outside providers, and others on programs andinitiatives that benefit staff.
- Oversees Advancement diversity plan, internship program, andmentoring initiative.
FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
- Oversee budget, including all accounts payable/receivable, payroll,policies, travel and entertainment reimbursement, departmentalexpenditures, salary and Campaign spending including oversight ofDirector of Finance & Administration.
- Oversee operations including facilities and space management and dayto day operating procedures for division. Oversee all procedural andpolicy matters relating to operation.
- Takes on special projects, strategic analyses, and other duties asassigned.
Required Skills
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred (MBA, MPA,MA in Higher Education Administration, or related field).
- Experience: 14+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in talent development, operations, finance, IT, projectmanagement, ideally in advancement in a higher ed Research 1institution.
- Required Leadership Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking: Anticipates institutional needs; translatesstrategy into operational plans and priorities.
- Leading by Influence: Builds consensus and drives results across fundraising, BI, operations, IS&T, and engagement functions withoutrelying solely on direct authority.
- Results Orientation: Sets measurable objectives, monitors progressand holds teams accountable for outcomes.
- Financial Acumen: Manages budgets and financial controls to ensurefiduciary responsibility and efficient resource use.
- Systems & Process Thinking: Designs scalable processes and governancethat balance standardization with local flexibility.
- Excellent Judgment & Discretion: Exercises confidentiality, ethicaldecision-making, and sound judgment in complex situations.
- Change Leadership: Leads complex change efforts—especially aroundtechnology, policy, and process—ensuring thoughtful adoption andsustainment.
- Communication & Stakeholder Management: Communicates clearly andtransparently, tailoring messages to varied audiences and buildingtrust.
- Collaborative Partnership: Establishes and maintains productiverelationships with campus partners (Finance, IS&T, General Counsel, HR,and academic units).
- Talent Development & Coaching: Demonstrated ability to identify,mentor, and develop leaders and high-performing teams.
- Data & Analytical Orientation: Uses data to inform decisions,evaluate program effectiveness, and support fundraisingstrategy.
- Ability to build develop, and retain strong teams and execute onstrategic plans.
- Technical & Program Experience: Proven track record overseeing datagovernance, business intelligence, gift/records operations, advancementsystems, compliance, and large-scale process or technologyimplementations.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills;ability to influence senior leaders and convey complex information tovaried audiences. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills andtrack record.
- Change Management: Demonstrated experience designing and executingchange management and communications plans that drive adoption andmeasurable outcomes.
- Compliance & Risk: Experience managing policy development, regulatorycompliance, and confidential information.
Personal Attributes:
- Collaborative, collegial leadership style; adept at buildingcampus-wide partnerships.
- Pragmatic problem-solver with attention to detail and a bias foraction.
- Commitment to confidentiality, ethical decision-making, andinstitutional stewardship.
- Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment under new seniorleadership and adapting to evolving priorities.
- Skilled coach and mentor with a track record of developing others.
But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies ourvalues:
- Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value everymember’s contributions and know that leadership can come fromanywhere.
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that eachof us knows we belong here.
- Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
- Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh
- approaches and measurable results.
- Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as ateam.
- Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals thatmatter.
To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University, andother job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website:bu.edu/advancement-talent.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants willreceive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin,physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity,genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-relatedcondition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are aVEVRAA Federal Contractor.
If you require reasonable accommodation in order to complete theemployment application process, please contact the Equal OpportunityOffice at 617-358-1796.
Required Experience