Assistant Director of Finance and Investments, UMKC Foundation

Assistant Director of Finance and Investments
UMKC Foundation

Purpose: The Assistant Director of Finance and Investment is a senior individual contributor responsible for managing complex financial and investment accounting functions and advising leadership on financial operations, risk, and compliance. The position applies advanced professional judgment, master's-level financial expertise, and broad operational knowledge to support the fiscal integrity, stewardship responsibilities, and long-term sustainability of the UMKC Foundation. The role independently manages high-risk and high-impact financial activities and serves as a trusted finance partner across the organization.

Organizational Relationship: Reports to the Director of Finance and Investments and operates with significant autonomy in managing assigned financial functions and initiatives.

Essential Duties:

• Independently manages daily cash management, liquidity monitoring, and short-term financial positioning to ensure operational continuity and prudent stewardship of Foundation resources.
• Leads asset and liability accounting functions, including complex reconciliations, valuation review, and financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, regulatory compliance, and adherence to internal control standards.
• Performs advanced fund and investment accounting, including monitoring investment performance, analyzing variances, supporting compliance requirements, and providing financial insight to leadership for decision making.
• Provides expert-level support for budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities, contributing analysis and recommendations that inform short- and long-term financial strategy.
• Oversee complex general ledger accounting activities and plays a key role in month-end and year-end close processes, identifying issues, resolving discrepancies, and improving processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Analyzes large, complex, and highly sensitive financial data sets, developing advanced financial models, reports, and summaries used by leadership, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Serves as a primary finance resource for audits and regulatory reporting, including leading preparation activities, coordinating documentation, responding to auditor inquiries, and supporting IRS Form 990 preparation.
• Provides specialized financial support for gift accounting, donor financial documentation, and stewardship reporting, ensuring compliance with donor intent, legal agreements, and industry standards.
• Supports payroll, employee benefits, and retirement plan accounting activities as needed, applying technical knowledge to ensure accuracy, compliance, and appropriate financial controls.
• Plays a critical role in establishing, documenting, and monitoring internal accounting controls and risk management practices, identifying control gaps and recommending improvements aligned with best practices.
• Acts as a finance representative on cross-functional initiatives and special projects, providing subject matter expertise, resolving complex financial issues, and improving institutional processes and outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Attributes

• Advanced professional judgment and decision-making skills applied to complex, high-risk financial matters with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to assess financial risk, identify control weaknesses, and implement corrective actions that impact organizational effectiveness.
• Ability to clearly explain complex financial and accounting concepts to non-financial stakeholders and senior leadership.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and accountability in managing confidential, regulated, and donor-sensitive financial information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems, with the ability to design, interpret, and maintain sophisticated financial analyses and reports.

Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, or financial operations involving complex funds, regulatory requirements, or institutional reporting.

Preferred Experience and Certifications

• Master's degree in related field of study.
• Experience in nonprofit, higher education, or similarly complex financial environments.
• CPA, CFP, ChFC, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent senior-level professional certification.

Supervisory Controls

Works under general direction of the Director of Finance and Investments. Exercises independent judgment in planning, prioritizing, and executing work. Assignments are reviewed for overall effectiveness, compliance, and alignment with organizational objectives rather than process.

Environmental Demands

This position does not require unusual physical ability. Little physical exertion is involved, although considerable pressures exist; the ability to handle tension and stress in a positive manner is required. No risks or discomforts are imposed upon this position by the physical surroundings or job situation. Occasional travel, evening and weekend work may be requested with appropriate notice.

Salary Hiring Range: $65,000 to $80,000 per year, Commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity.

Work Status: Full Time, benefit eligible staff position with UMKC Foundation. Flexible schedules may be available.

UMKC: The University of Missouri Kansas City is located in the heart of Kansas City, one mile from the famed KC Plaza District. Kansas City is home to the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, KC Chiefs, KC Royals, Sporting KC, and is home to world renowned BBQ. Rich in diversity, culture, and sports, UMKC is a traditional university with a host of professional schools located in a robust urban setting.

About the UMKC Foundation: The UMKC Foundation is a separate but affiliated enterprise that is devoted to raising funds for the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and for exercising fiduciary responsibility over endowments and other philanthropic investments made to UMKC. If interested, please use link below to apply.

To be considered for the position, you must provide your resume/CV with appropriate attachments directly to UMKC Foundation at the link below:

Apply Now

The Foundation is a separate organization outside of the university. Do not apply to the posting available on the university careers page. All application materials must be submitted directly to the Foundation to be fully considered.

If you are interested in helping grow the culture of philanthropy that supports UMKC, please send your cover letter and resume, submissions and/or inquiries to: contact@umkcfoundation.org.

The UMKC Foundation is a separate but affiliated enterprise devoted to raising funds for the university and for exercising fiduciary responsibility over endowments and other philanthropic investments made to UMKC. To learn more about UMKC Foundation, visit umkcfoundation.org.

The UMKC Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.