Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

In partnership with Lindauer, the University of Louisville Foundation seeks an accomplished Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer to lead at a pivotal moment in the University's future.

In this executive leadership role, the successful candidate will provide strategic direction for finance, investments, governance, operations, and real estate while overseeing the stewardship of approximately $1.6 billion in assets that support scholarships, faculty excellence, research, and the University's long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all financial, business, and administrative operations of ULF with responsibility for the custodianship and investment of all ULF assets.
• Oversee ULF’s process for valuing and unitizing its investment portfolio, administer the investment committee’s process, manage ULF’s outsourced Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and evaluate CIO reports and recommendations, and prepare periodic reports, data, and presentations for the ULF Board and the Board of Trustees of the University regarding holdings and investment results.
• Steward donations received for the University and ensure adherence with donor intent and fiduciary responsibilities through an ongoing and formal annual compliance review process.
• Provide executive oversight of non-endowed assets of ULF to safeguard the assets and invest as appropriate to realize long-term returns for the University.
• Develop and administer appropriate gift policies for existing and proposed gifts held under ULF’s fiduciary custody including appropriate acceptance, investment management, distribution, risk management, fee structures, and reporting.
• Manage personnel for financial, investment, information technology, technical, and support functions.
• Oversee ULF’s operating budget, including submitting an annual budget to the Board for approval.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience, with at least 10 years leading complex financial, operational, administrative, or business functions and teams.
• Experience working in complex mission-driven organizations is desired; experience in higher education or foundations is a plus. Candidates from the private sector with relevant executive leadership experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, with experience fostering collaboration, accountability, and organizational excellence.
• Significant experience overseeing financial operations, budgeting, investments, treasury, audit, risk management, governance, and strategic planning.
• Experience managing or overseeing complex real estate assets, commercial properties, development projects, investment portfolios, or affiliated business entities is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with governing boards, executive leadership, legal counsel, external advisors, and key institutional stakeholders.
• An MBA, Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Finance, Master of Accounting, or other relevant graduate degree is highly desirable.

Lindauer, a national search and talent firm, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the University of Louisville Foundation. To apply or nominate a candidate for this role, please visit the Lindauer website at https://www.lindauerglobal.com/.