Assistant Vice President of Development, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and Clinical Programs

University of Cincinnati Foundation•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President of Development for the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and Clinical Programs is an exempt, salaried position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation. Reporting to the Vice President for Development, Academic Health Enterprise, this strategic advancement leader creates and executes comprehensive philanthropic strategies supporting the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the University of Cincinnati’s clinical enterprise. The role provides vision, leadership, and management for fundraising programs focused on neuroscience and designated clinical service lines, securing major, principal, and transformational gifts that advance research, patient care, education, innovation, and program growth. The Assistant Vice President leads and develops a team of fundraising professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance. In partnership with physician leaders, clinical executives, researchers, and foundation colleagues, the role identifies philanthropic opportunities, strengthens donor engagement, and expands grateful patient and family philanthropy. The position also leads physician engagement and education related to philanthropy and aligns fundraising priorities with institutional strategic goals. Alongside leadership and oversight of the fundraising team, the Assistant Vice President personally manages a portfolio of high-capacity major and principal gift prospects and donors. The role coordinates its work with other UC Foundation fundraising initiatives to support a unified advancement strategy across the Academic Health Enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 10 or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including a demonstrated record of success in major gift fundraising at the $100,000 level and above and direct experience with grateful patient and family philanthropy; alternatively, an advanced degree is preferred with 7–10 years of experience.
Demonstrated success coaching and mentoring fundraising team members.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build productive relationships with physicians, clinicians, donors, and senior leaders.
Understanding of basic scientific principles and familiarity with healthcare compliance and HIPAA considerations.
Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed.
Valid driver’s license required for travel.
Commitment to and passion for the role of development in advancing the mission of the University of Cincinnati and UC Health.

Nice To Haves

Prior fundraising experience within an academic medical center, health system foundation, or academic health advancement environment.
Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Work with the Vice President for Development to prepare annual plans, set goals, and develop and execute strategies to achieve targets.
Provide strategic leadership for a comprehensive grateful patient fundraising program aligned with industry best practices and institutional values.
Personally manage a portfolio of major gift prospects at the $100,000+ level and cultivate and solicit major and special gifts through personal visits, including outside the Cincinnati region.
Recruit, lead, motivate, and manage development professionals; establish objectives, performance standards, and productivity metrics; evaluate performance; and provide training, mentoring, and professional development.
Assign and direct projects and oversee the team’s day-to-day operations.
Partner with clinical leadership, faculty, staff, and colleagues to prioritize fundraising initiatives and activities.
Lead physician engagement and training on grateful patient and family philanthropy.
Build trusted relationships with physicians, department chairs, and service line leaders, and connect clinical leadership with advancement teams to align philanthropic opportunities with clinical priorities.
Collaborate with clinical, compliance, legal, and advancement partners to maintain a respectful, donor-centered grateful patient program.
Use data and prospect analytics to strengthen prospect identification, qualification, and engagement.
Collaborate with UC Foundation departments and fundraising specialists, including prospect development, gift planning, and corporate and foundation relations, to enhance fundraising revenue and donor impact.
Ensure compliance with privacy and ethical standards related to patient-based philanthropy.
Ensure appropriate gift and donor stewardship and maintain strong relationships with major donors, stakeholders, and partners.
Prepare timely contact reports and ensure monthly reports are accurate.
Participate fully in the UC Foundation prospect and clearance process.
Perform other duties as assigned.