AVP Philanthropy

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

6d•$164,549 - $296,213

About The Position

Serving as a senior member of the philanthropy leadership team, the AVP of Philanthropy (VP) will contribute to strategy, execution, and management of all philanthropic initiatives across the UMass Memorial Health system. This role oversees fundraising programs, donor engagement, major gifts, and campaigns to advance institutional priorities. Close interpersonal relationship building, strategic problem solving, and an entrepreneurial spirit are essential to continue to foster and advance an emerging culture of philanthropy across the system. The VP will demonstrate exceptional communication skills, political savvy, and the ability to navigate complex internal and external environments. The successful candidate will have considerable experience engaging potential donors and securing significant major and planned gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Leading by example, the VP will bring best practice methodology, innovation, strategic guidance, and mentorship to a small but growing team and serve as a trusted partner to executive leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, ideally within a large healthcare system, academic medical center, or large nonprofit.
Proven success in strategic development including building and sustaining successful fundraising efforts and special events, donor pipelines and cultivating relationships.
Strong operational and managerial skills with the ability to execute strategic plans.
Excellent relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead through influence and represent the SVP in high-level settings.
Motivated, results-oriented, entrepreneurial-thinking leader with high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and integrity.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a complex matrixed organization and manage changeable priorities.
Demonstrated strong network among the philanthropic community including foundations, employers and individuals.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership Develops and contributes to building a high-performing, strategic, and comprehensive philanthropy program for the UMass Memorial Health system.
Support the SVP in planning and implementing multi-year philanthropic campaigns, including feasibility, case development, volunteer engagement, and performance tracking.
Develops and directs short- and long‑term strategic initiatives, including identifying new funding sources and fundraising innovations, translating high‑level organizational and philanthropic strategies into executable plans, Assists in development and tracking of key performance indicators; and implements systems and processes to support accountability and transparency.
Collaboration & Alignment Partners with executives, senior leadership, and Marketing & Communications to ensure alignment of brand, fundraising priorities, and system-wide strategies.
Collaborates with Senior clinical and administrative leaders to prioritize needs and execute strategic fundraising initiatives.
Donor Strategy & Engagement Oversee frontline fundraising programs, including major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, and grateful patient initiatives.
Manage a personal portfolio of high‑value prospects and donors, cultivating and soliciting major and principal gifts to meet organizational goals..
Ensure consistent, high-quality stewardship practices and donor engagement strategies across the organization.
Proactively seeks opportunities to build and optimize grateful patient and donor relationships.
Plans and supports team members on donor campaigns, special events, and engagement initiatives.
Team Leadership & Development Manages and mentors frontline fundraising staff, fostering continuous improvement and a collaborative, high‑performing culture.
Promotes professional development and ensures team alignment with organizational values and goals.
Directs and supervises assigned personnel including performance evaluations, scheduling, orientation, and training. Makes recommendations on employee hires, transfers, promotions, salary changes, discipline, terminations, and similar actions. Resolves grievances and other personnel problems within position responsibilities.
Develops and recommends the budgets for the areas managed. Manages activities to assure financial goals are met.
Coordinates the assignment of tasks and helps resolve technical and operational problems. Evaluates the impact of solutions to ensure goals are achieved.
Provides effective direction, guidance, and leadership over the staff for effective teamwork and motivation; and fosters the effective integration of efforts with system-wide initiatives.
Encourages and supports diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, respect, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients, and visitors.
Integrates diversity into departmental objectives, such as hiring, promotions, training, vendor selections, etc.
Participates in performance improvement initiatives and demonstrates the use of quality improvement in daily operations.
Ensures compliance with regulatory agencies such as Joint Commission, DPH (Department of Public Health), etc. Develops and maintains procedures necessary to meet regulatory requirements.
Ensures that department complies with hospital established policies, quality assurance programs, safety, and infection control policies and procedures.
Ensures adequate equipment and supplies for department.
Develops and maintains established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
Ensures compliance to all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs similar or related duties as required or directed.