Chief Operating Officer

Company: Foriowa
Location: Iowa City
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CENTER FOR ADVANCEMENT:The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that plays a vital role in supporting the university's missions through philanthropic activities. Since 1957, UICA has been committed to strengthening and propelling the University of Iowa in its work to educate students, meet health care needs, serve Iowa, and change the world. While UICA has an independent board of directors, staff, and strategic plan, its work and resources are aligned with and support the University of Iowa's mission and goals.UICA is in the midst of a historic campaign with ambitious goals: to reach 300,000 alumni and friends, establish 3 million points of connection, and raise $3 billion for Iowa's boldest aspirations.UICA has been recognized for its innovation and leadership in the world of philanthropy. Specifically, it is one of the first public universities to launch an integrated advancement model, is an early adopter of data analytics and machine learning, is a pioneer in measuring alumni and friend engagement behaviors, boasts strong employee engagement and retention rates, and is CASE 50 recognized as among the most philanthropically productive public and private universities.Everyone at UICA takes personal ownership for creating an environment where people make a difference, trust, grow leaders, cultivate belonging, succeed, and care. Every individual and their unique experiences matter. Against this backdrop of building on success and advancing ambitious goals, the organization is seeking a new executive to join as Chief Operating Officer.The Chief Operating Officer (COO) for UICA will play a critical role in the organization's continued success. This position will serve as a thought partner to the Chief Executive Officer, collaborate with colleagues on the leadership team, provide staff leadership for the Board of Directors Investment, Audit and Risk, and Finance Committees, while engaging with all other Board Committees. The COO will ensure operational and financial excellence, technology implementation, process improvements, and the successful delivery of business strategies. Building highly effective relationships with campus partners is essential, along with providing executive leadership for the Finance, Investments, Information Technology, and Facilities teams. The successful candidate will bring executive leadership skills such as vision, strategy, intellectual curiosity, change management, and decisiveness. This role will succeed the current UICA Senior Vice President Finance and Operations who will be retiring in spring 2025. Having overlapping tenures to ensure an effective transition is highly likely.

• This position is eligible for hybrid work (telecommuting) which includes working on-site at our office in Iowa City at least 3 days per week.*
• Please submit cover letter with application.RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Provides fiscal oversight of over $2.1B in total assets and investments exceeding $1.6B. Oversees an annual operating budget of more than $48M.
  • In partnership with the CEO and Leadership Team, leads the financial growth strategy for UICA.
  • Builds and maintains strong relationships with the Office of the University President, UI Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations, and campus administrators to identify and build bridges between the university and UICA to best serve the institution's needs.
  • Works with UICA board committee chairs to ensure strong governance and performance of the organization.
  • As a member of the Leadership Team, participates in organizational decision-making and jointly ensures the highest standards of performance across the organization.
  • Analyzes and interprets data to inform decision making and strategic planning.
  • Contributes to the UICA strategic planning process, guiding the development of goals and initiatives and the delivery of measurable outcomes that advance UICA and support the UI's strategic initiatives.
  • Contributes to the UICA's national brand as a thought leader in advancement, demonstrating and sharing best practices and seeking innovation, efficiencies, and economies of scale and scope.
  • Provides administrative oversight for agency relationships with the Iowa Law School Foundation, and the Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization.
  • Provides administrative oversight for the University of Iowa Facilities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary established to acquire and lease real estate and issue bonds for capital projects on behalf of the UI.
  • Sets high standards for all financial and operational programs, aligns talent and develops capabilities to successfully deliver on the strategic plan.REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:Reports to the Chief Executive Officer and leads a team of approximately 73 employees responsible for finance, investments, and information technology; oversees a separate not-for-profit facilities corporation that aids in real estate acquisition and financing on behalf of the University of Iowa.QUALIFICATIONS:Education
    • A bachelor's degree in a related field such as business, finance, or accounting is required.
    • An advanced degree and CPA are preferred.Experience
      • Fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in financial management, fiscal and administrative oversight, organizational leadership, and business administration is required, with eight (8) years recent experience at the executive level leading senior-level leaders.
      • Industry experience in university advancement institutions, foundations, non-profit organizations as well as adjacent for-profit companies will be considered.
      • Demonstrated history of building effective and collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at the executive and board level, as well as external groups, preferably in a complex institution or company where various agendas and goals need to be harmonized.
      • Experience working in an institution that has undergone a successful ERP or CRM implementation where change management skills were required is strongly desired.
      • Track record of developing and delivering the financial growth strategy of an organization that is compatible with and supportive of the institution's strategic goals. History of effectively participating in strategic planning processes, setting goals and measurable outcomes.
      • Demonstrates the financial acumen to rise above the numbers and understand business implications of a financial situation. Committed to ensuring stewardship of the resources entrusted to the organization, through effective leadership of the Investments team.**Please submit cover letter with application.
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Keywords: Foriowa, Davenport , Chief Operating Officer, Executive , Iowa City, Iowa