Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF)

Location: Chicago, Illinois | Hybrid
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Level: Executive
Salary Range: $165,000–$175,000
Organizational Budget: $6M+

 

Mission of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund

 

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) unlocks educational opportunities for talented Chicago-area students facing financial need. We partner with Scholars, families, schools, alumni, donors, and community leaders through high school and beyond by providing scholarships, academic programs, and personal support so that each Scholar can reach their full potential.

 

Founded by the Murphy brothers in 1989, DMSF now offers around 150 scholarships to 8th graders each year, supporting more than 500 Scholars in high school with a 100% graduation rate. Those Scholars attend roughly 40 different parochial and independent day schools in the Chicago area, as well as 40 boarding schools from coast to coast.

 

Position Overview

 

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and strategic partner to DMSF’s CEO. The COO is responsible for leading and strengthening organizational operations, managing and supporting the Development team, driving cross-functional disciplined execution of strategic priorities, and helping advance DMSF’s mission through strong operational leadership and donor engagement support.

 

This role oversees day-to-day organizational effectiveness while helping position DMSF for long-term growth and sustainability. The COO works closely with the CEO on strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, Board engagement, donor strategy, and organizational development, ensuring that systems, people, and priorities are aligned to maximize impact for Murphy Scholars.

 

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, hands-on, highly relational, and strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can balance high-level strategy with operational execution, and is excited to help support a high-performing nonprofit organization with a $6M+ budget.

 

Primary Responsibilities

 

Organizational Leadership & Operations

 

• Provide leadership and oversight of organizational operations, systems, and internal processes to ensure efficiency, accountability, and alignment across teams.

• Lead the implementation of strategic priorities in partnership with the CEO and leadership team.

• Develop, strengthen, and continuously improve operational systems, workflows, and internal communications that support organizational growth and effectiveness.

• Oversee organizational goal tracking, staff accountability, project management, and cross-department coordination.

• Build a culture of clarity, collaboration, urgency, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

• Lead staff culture, professional development, and organizational health initiatives.

• Partner with the CEO on Board preparation, strategic planning, executive-level initiatives, and special projects.

• Identify operational challenges and proactively recommend solutions that improve organizational effectiveness.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Development team, including 2–3 direct reports.

 

Fundraising Operations

 

• Partner with the CEO to drive fundraising strategy, donor engagement, stewardship, and revenue growth initiatives.

• Support preparation for donor meetings, sponsorship conversations, foundation meetings, and major fundraising initiatives.

• Conduct donor and prospect research and help develop briefing materials, talking points, meeting agendas, and follow-up strategies for the CEO.

• Monitor fundraising progress toward annual goals and support reporting and analysis efforts.

• In partnership with team members and outside agencies, lead operations for DMSF’s annual Golf Classic, which raised $3.4 million in 2026, and other fundraising events as needed.

 

Executive Support & Strategic Partnership

 

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO on organizational priorities, opportunities, challenges, and growth initiatives.

• Help prepare materials, presentations, follow-up, and strategy documents for Board meetings, donor meetings, and external partnerships.

• Assist in managing organizational priorities and ensuring follow-through on key initiatives.

• Represent DMSF externally with donors, partners, volunteers, schools, alumni, and community stakeholders as needed.

• Support special projects and organizational growth initiatives led by the CEO.

• Help translate the CEO’s vision and Board priorities into clear action plans, ownership, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

 

Financial Oversight

 

• Collaborate with the CEO to develop annual program and organizational budgets and manage revisions as needed.

• Provide oversight of all financial procedures, including bill payment, payroll coordination, expense coding, approval processes, and monthly financial review.

• Review monthly financial reports for accuracy and help identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Collaborate with accountants, Board finance leadership, and internal team members to ensure all approval processes, reporting requirements, and financial policies are followed and executed in a timely manner.

• Support and coordinate pre-planning and execution for the annual audit and Form 990 preparation.

• Help ensure DMSF maintains strong financial controls, clear documentation, and sound administrative practices.

 

Data & Systems Management

 

• Work with DMSF staff, vendors, and contractors to ensure accurate and timely data entry across all organizational and internal tracking systems.

• Develop systems to enhance efficiency and maintain records to ensure the organization is compliant, timely, and proactive across all organizational operations.

• Identify opportunities to consolidate systems and better use technology, data, and reporting tools to support fundraising, programs, finance, and leadership decision-making.

 

Contract, Privacy & Compliance Management

 

• Serve as a liaison and provide contract management support for all office, vendor, consultant, technology, and service providers.

• Ensure DMSF Privacy and Security Policies are fully implemented and updated as needed.

• Conduct regular risk assessments to resolve vulnerabilities and train staff as needed.

• Help maintain appropriate records, documentation, insurance information, vendor files, and compliance materials.

 

Human Resources Management

 

• Lead all human resources functions, working with supervisors to manage hiring, onboarding, development, performance management, offboarding, payroll coordination, and employee relations.

• Oversee DMSF organizational policies and procedures, including manuals, creating or updating policies and procedures as needed.

• Stay abreast of human resources laws, policies, and trends; serve as a resource to the CEO and leadership and collaborate with them on potential changes.

• Serve as a resource to staff and leadership on organizational policies, expectations, and internal processes.

 

Experience

 

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 5+ years of nonprofit leadership in operations, administration, development, or a similar area. A typically aligned candidate will have 10+ years of relevant work experience.

• Demonstrated success leading multiple operations functions. Experience in all areas is not required, but relevant areas include: 1) finance; 2) human resources; 3) compliance; 4) data; 5) contract and vendor management; 6) information technology; and 7) facilities.

• Demonstrated success managing a high-performing team, including direct supervisory experience, and leading cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated success supporting executive leadership and preparing high-level internal and external communications and materials.

• Experience in or deep exposure to fundraising strategy, nonprofit development operations, donor engagement work, and events.

 

Competencies

 

• Mission-Focused: Strong belief in DMSF’s approach to the work and a strong interest in supporting educational access for the Scholars DMSF serves.

• Systems-Minded: Driven by creating, executing, and maintaining excellent and sustainable operational systems that serve as the backbone of DMSF’s programming and fundraising and propel organizational growth.

• Strong Interpersonal Skills: Ability to motivate and lead a productive team, execute initiatives across functions and departments, communicate clearly, build trust, and follow through with staff, Board members, donors, volunteers, families, and external partners.

• Meticulous: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and compliance-focused, with a thorough approach to each part of the job.

• Results-Focused: Sets ambitious goals, creates and tracks team and organizational metrics, and consistently achieves results.

 

Compensation & Work Environment

 

The salary range for this position is $165,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

This is a full-time, exempt position in a hybrid work environment requiring three days per week in DMSF’s downtown Chicago office.

 

The position will require periodic weekend and evening work.

 

Benefits

 

Current benefits, which are subject to change, include:

 

• HMO and PPO health insurance options.

• Dental and vision insurance.

• Paid time off, including: 1) 10 vacation days in Year 1, with an additional day added for each year worked; 2) 10 sick days; 3) four personal days; and 4) winter holiday office closure.

• Retirement match.

• Flexible spending account.

• Life insurance.

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

 

How to Apply

 

Interested candidates should submit a resume through the online application portal.

 

The priority application date is September 30, 2026.

 

This search is being supported by recruitment firm Civic Search. Candidates experiencing difficulty submitting an application may contact:

search@mbtcivic.com

 

Please do not contact Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund staff members directly.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

 

The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.