Executive Director-Business Operations

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

1d

About The Position

Reports to the Vice Chair of Development Operations. Serves as a senior executive advisor to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and partners closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Enterprise Finance leadership. Provides executive leadership for Development’s philanthropic financial operations, including direct supervision of the Gift Processing function and close partnership with Development Finance. Leads through a matrixed leadership structure and operates with delegated authority to set strategic direction, policies, and governance for philanthropic financial operations across the Department of Development. The Executive Director-Business Operations establishes and oversees the strategic framework that ensures all philanthropic revenue – across gifts, pledges, endowments, and complex giving vehicles – is managed with integrity, transparency, and full regulatory compliance in support of Mayo Clinic’s mission. As an executive advisor, the incumbent partners with the CDO, CFO, and other leaders to inform institutional decision-making related to philanthropic revenue, philanthropic forecasting, and transformational giving strategies. The role exercises significant autonomy and authority in setting direction, approving financial models and assumptions, and establishing enterprise-wide standards for gift administration, financial reporting, and risk management. This position combines financial strategy, executive advisory responsibility, and managerial oversight. The Executive Director leads through influence in a highly matrixed environment, balancing long-range strategy with stewardship of critical day-to-day operations that support Mayo Clinic’s philanthropic and financial sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit finance, healthcare finance, or philanthropic financial administration.
• Demonstrated enterprise-level responsibility.
• Significant experience advising senior executives and influencing decision-making.
• Proven experience modeling and structuring complex, transformational gift agreements (e.g., multi-year pledges, conditional gifts, endowments).
• Proven experience in forecasting and developing long-range financial plans for a complex organization.
• Demonstrated success leading senior leaders and managing multi-layered teams within a matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to lead in a complex, matrixed organization with multiple stakeholders.
• Must be comfortable with ambiguity and adept at building consensus.
• Demonstrated competencies in strategic thinking, project management, and process improvement.
• Must exemplify strong integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality in handling sensitive donor and financial information.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Deep knowledge of CASE standards, IRS regulations for charitable giving, fund accounting, and governance practices related to charitable giving in a healthcare or academic environment.
• Experience in partnering directly with C-suite executives and enterprise finance leaders.
• Demonstrated executive presence, strategic agility, and ability to lead through influence and ambiguity.
• Previous experience in a healthcare philanthropy or academic development setting.
• Familiarity with donor databases and financial systems (e.g., CRM and accounting software) used in gift processing and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership for Development’s philanthropic financial operations.
• Directly supervises the Gift Processing function.
• Partners closely with Development Finance.
• Establishes and oversees the strategic framework for managing philanthropic revenue (gifts, pledges, endowments, complex giving vehicles).
• Ensures integrity, transparency, and regulatory compliance in philanthropic financial operations.
• Partners with CDO, CFO, and other leaders to inform institutional decision-making related to philanthropic revenue, forecasting, and giving strategies.
• Exercises autonomy and authority in setting direction, approving financial models and assumptions, and establishing enterprise-wide standards for gift administration, financial reporting, and risk management.
• Leads through influence in a highly matrixed environment.
• Balances long-range strategy with stewardship of day-to-day operations.
• Mentors staff, collaborates across departments, and inspires trust and confidence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive