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

University of Cincinnati Foundation•Cincinnati, OH

2d•$200,000 - $230,000

About The Position

The Assistant Vice President for Development, UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute (UCGNI) and Clinical Programs is a strategic, results-oriented advancement leader employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation. The role leads fundraising programs supporting neuroscience and designated clinical service lines, securing major, principal, and transformational gifts to advance research, patient care, education, innovation, and program growth. The position reports to the Vice President for Development, Academic Health Enterprise. The Assistant Vice President provides vision, leadership, and management for a fundraising team dedicated to UCGNI and Clinical Programs, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high performance. The role partners with physician leaders, clinical executives, researchers, and foundation colleagues to identify philanthropic opportunities, engage donors, and expand grateful patient and family philanthropy. It also leads physician engagement and education about philanthropy and aligns fundraising priorities with institutional strategic goals. Alongside oversight of the team, the Assistant Vice President personally manages a portfolio of high-capacity major and principal gift prospects and donors. Fundraising activities are coordinated with other UC Foundation initiatives to support an integrated advancement strategy across the Academic Health Enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in major gift fundraising at the $100,000+ level 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 and the ability to build productive relationships with a diverse group, including 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; cultivate and solicit major and special gifts through personal visits within and outside the Cincinnati region.
Recruit, lead, motivate, and manage development professionals; set objectives and performance standards, evaluate performance, provide training and mentoring, assign projects, and oversee day-to-day team 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.
Connect clinical leadership with advancement teams and align philanthropic opportunities with clinical priorities.
Collaborate with clinical, compliance, legal, and advancement partners to sustain 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 the accuracy of monthly reports.
Participate fully in the UC Foundation prospect and clearance process.
Perform other duties as assigned.