The Director of Leadership Gifts, reporting to the Senior Director, will lead a team of Leadership Gift Officers, each managing a portfolio of 250–400 prospects, while personally overseeing a portfolio of 100–150 donors. This role provides strategic oversight to drive donor renewal and retention, develop innovative engagement strategies, and increase solicitation activity. A primary focus will be expanding the $1K+ unrestricted donor base to address the growing need for flexible funding that supports emerging institutional priorities. These efforts will also strengthen the pipeline to higher-level Leadership Gifts and other Trust fundraising programs. The Director will collaborate across Trust teams to design and implement high-tech, high-touch engagement initiatives that enhance prospect qualification and cultivation efficiency, enabling the team to effectively engage a broader donor base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Leadership Gift Officers, providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance management to ensure effective donor engagement and alignment with Trust goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, including higher-level annual donors, grateful patient families, unrestricted and restricted donors, and key volunteers.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies to expand the $1K+ unrestricted donor base, leveraging technology and identifying new opportunities for growth.
• Strengthen the donor pipeline by qualifying and cultivating prospects for higher-level Leadership Gifts and other giving programs, including Planned Giving, Mid-Level, and Major Gifts. Collaborate across teams to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to donor engagement.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret donor data to inform strategy development and evaluate the effectiveness of engagement and solicitation initiatives.
• Prepare and present reports on team performance, donor activity, and key initiatives to senior leadership.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team, emphasizing professional development, creativity, and employee engagement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, business administration, marketing, nonprofit management or related field, including at least 3 years of management experience.
• Direct fundraising and volunteer management experience preferred, with a proven record of personally soliciting gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Exceptional communication skills—both verbal and written—for articulating the organization’s mission, engaging donors, and leading teams effectively.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish trust and maintain lasting connections with donors, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking ability to develop and implement plans aligned with organizational priorities and growth opportunities.
• Adaptability and resilience to navigate changing fundraising environments and manage challenges effectively.
• High standards of ethical judgment and integrity, fostering donor confidence and protecting organizational reputation.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills to articulate complex scientific, clinical, and research priorities requiring philanthropic support.
• Proven leadership, strategy development, and execution skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and negotiate with donors and external partners.
• Strong attention to detail, high productivity, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and the ability to quickly learn and utilize donor database management systems.