Description
Serve as a senior-level investment leader to grow relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives.
Leadership Opportunity
- Are you energized by the opportunity to work directly with the Chief Investment Officer and investment team to provide senior strategic leadership over the management of more than $4 billion in investable assets and an endowment ranked in the top 25 among public universities (in terms of size)?
- Are you an experienced investor who can generate and present ideas across investment portfolios, while also designing and implementing robust risk-monitoring processes and remedies with the highest standards of integrity and ethical judgment?
- Are you an outstanding leader, mentor and coach who invests in and nurtures the success of others, fostering a highly productive and energetic team?
- Are you a self-starter who can act with a high degree of autonomy while also thoughtfully communicating and collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders to build consensus?
- Are you a champion for continuous improvement and energized by significant growth —including a more than twofold increase in assets under management over the past decade?
- Are you passionate about Nebraska, its people and the opportunity to advance the impact of the University of Nebraska, as the only public institution of higher education in the state?
If so, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity!
About the University of Nebraska Foundation and University of Nebraska
Founded during the Great Depression, the University of Nebraska Foundation is one of the largest foundations for public institutions of higher learning in the United States, ranking in the top 20 for fundraising and top 25 for endowed assets. It remains committed to the ideals of its early founders: to provide support for the University of Nebraska beyond what the state alone can provide and, through these investments in higher education, provide for the greater commonwealth. While independent from the university, the foundation is intrinsically linked to it, with a mission of growing relationships and resources that enable the university to change lives and save lives.
The foundation raised more than $400 million in private funds in fiscal year 2025, a record setting year on behalf of the University of Nebraska. The foundation transfers on average, more than $200 million to the University of Nebraska every year. Total foundation assets exceed $2.8 billion, with more than 99% of those assets designated by donors to a specific university use.
The University of Nebraska (NU) serves the citizens of Nebraska through quality teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. It is a key catalyst and driver of regional economic development and contributes significantly to the cultural, social, health, and educational fabric of Nebraska. The university operates with an annual budget of $2.7 billion, enrolling more than 50,000 students, and employing over 14,000 faculty and staff.
The state’s only public university, NU is comprised of a comprehensive research campus in Lincoln (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), a health sciences center in Omaha (University of Nebraska Medical Center), a metropolitan campus in Omaha (UNO), a residential undergraduate-focused campus in Kearney (University of Nebraska at Kearney), a two-year college of technical agriculture in Curtis (Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture), and research and extension facilities statewide. University-wide institutes and initiatives, such as the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, and the National Strategic Research Institute, span the roles and missions of all four major campuses.
Ways you will make an impact:
- Serve as a senior leader, reporting directly to the CIO, to steward a multi-billion-dollar portfolio that supports academic excellence, transformational research and innovation, and student access and success, providing a perpetual source of support for the University of Nebraska. Our vision is to be recognized as the trusted partner of those wishing to support the University of Nebraska.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CIO, contributing insight, analysis and perspective on investment strategy, portfolio construction, risk management and organizational priorities.
- Act as a key day-to-day leader for the investment research team by coaching, mentoring and developing the team — driving performance, refining processes and overseeing team accountabilities.
- Work closely with associates on the investments team, foundation staff and other key stakeholders to manage the endowment’s investment portfolio.
- Collaborate with internal staff and external consultants to optimize and execute the manager research process for all asset classes across multiple portfolios for both retained managers and potential future managers.
- Optimize technology systems such as Bipsync, MSCI Total Plan and Bloomberg to build and own our manager research process.
- Join all foundation managers as a member of the Leadership Council, where you will have the opportunity to collaborate, communicate and strategize with other leaders across the organization.
Who we want:
- A courteous, respectful and humble professional who is driven to optimize performance and deliver strong investment outcomes.
- A relationally talented individual who makes authentic connections, is a good listener and provides comprehensive solutions to help execute the manager research process for all asset classes.
- A culture builder who creates camaraderie across the investments team and prioritizes transparency and collaboration with all team members.
- A professional who wants to grow in leadership capacities and continuously develop their investments skills.
- A strong communicator who can distill complex information or processes and then communicate effectively to audiences with varying levels of investment knowledge.
- A personable team player who can function independently, as well as cooperatively with others.
What you need:
- MBA or business-related master’s degree required. CFA/CAIA senior designation strongly preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of institutional investment experience required. Experiences may include research/diligence related to manager selection, portfolio analysis and management, policy formulation, securities trading, distribution and business development; and a strong background in credit research or the ability to develop those skills. Candidates with other relevant investment experience are encouraged to apply. Preference for candidates with a not-for-profit investment management background or board-level experience.
- Attention to detail and accuracy; and the ability to meet deadlines and make decisions.
- Alignment with our values of teamwork, integrity and passion for mission.
- A desire and ability to develop staff through mentorship; the ability to build, lead and motivate staff; a strong commitment to growing in leadership capacities; and the ability to foster a productive and collaborative team.
- Excellent personal communications skills, both written and oral; the ability to understand and translate highly technical information for all audiences; and exhibit clarity and elegance in writing and speaking.
- Outstanding interpersonal and relational skills with a demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate well with key stakeholders and colleagues.
- Strong personal integrity and work ethic; the ability to be persistent and persuasive; and a robust, adaptable and transparent mindset.
- Familiarity with research platforms and portfolio management systems and an ability to learn new technology platforms and optimize those solutions for maximum effectiveness.
What we offer:
- The location for this position is our Lincoln or Omaha office.
- This position will require domestic and international travel, approximately once per month, to meet with investment managers, represent the foundation and investment office at various industry events and advance the mission and needs of the organization.
- Mission-driven work that changes lives and saves lives.
- A strengths-based, engagement-focused and performance-oriented culture.
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities for your career growth.
- An award-winning wellness program.
- 12 weeks of paid medical leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
- 12 paid holidays and generous vacation time.
- A generous retirement match and multiple incentive compensation programs.
- University of Nebraska tuition reimbursement for you and your dependents.
Who we are:
- Founded in 1936, the University of Nebraska Foundation provides support for the campuses in the university system — the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.
- Among public universities, the University of Nebraska ranks in the top 25 nationally for both funds raised and endowed assets under management.
- An organization with a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, which, along with our alumni and athletic partners, raises more than $7 for every $1 spent.
- Winner of Gallup’s Don Clifton Strengths-Based Culture Award.
- Winner of the Governor’s Harvester Wellness Award, the highest honor for corporate wellness.
Application Process
Please apply directly on our website: https://nufoundation.org/careers
The University of Nebraska Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where all employees feel respected and valued. We will consider all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.
Requirements
- MBA or business-related master’s degree required. CFA/CAIA senior designation strongly preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of institutional investment experience required. Experiences may include research/diligence related to manager selection, portfolio analysis and management, policy formulation, securities trading, distribution and business development; and a strong background in credit research or the ability to develop those skills. Candidates with other relevant investment experience are encouraged to apply. Preference for candidates with a not-for-profit investment management background or board-level experience.
- Attention to detail and accuracy; and the ability to meet deadlines and make decisions.
- Alignment with our values of teamwork, integrity and passion for mission.
- A desire and ability to develop staff through mentorship; the ability to build, lead and motivate staff; a strong commitment to growing in leadership capacities; and the ability to foster a productive and collaborative team.
- Excellent personal communications skills, both written and oral; the ability to understand and translate highly technical information for all audiences; and exhibit clarity and elegance in writing and speaking.
- Outstanding interpersonal and relational skills with a demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate well with key stakeholders and colleagues.
- Strong personal integrity and work ethic; the ability to be persistent and persuasive; and a robust, adaptable and transparent mindset.
- Familiarity with research platforms and portfolio management systems and an ability to learn new technology platforms and optimize those solutions for maximum effectiveness.
