Executive Director, Metropolitan Ministries Foundation

Metropolitan Ministries•Tampa, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Metropolitan Ministries Foundation is a senior, mission-driven philanthropic leader responsible for stewarding the endowment that sustains Metropolitan Ministries’ work with families and individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and crisis. Reporting to the Foundation Chair and Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads the Foundation’s strategy, serves as its lead gift planner, and acts as its principal major gifts officer. The role works closely with Metropolitan Ministries’ President & CEO, Chief Philanthropy Officer, CFO, advancement team, donor services, and marketing team. The Executive Director cultivates, solicits, and stewards major and planned gifts; grows the legacy society and pipeline of legacy commitments; develops the Foundation’s strategic plan and fundraising messaging; and represents the Foundation across Tampa Bay. The position partners with the Board Chair on governance and board engagement, collaborates on investment oversight and financial reporting, safeguards donor intent, and manages estate gifts from notification through distribution. The role also directs a part-time assistant and manages the Foundation’s operating budget, vendors, and systems. The position is primarily office-based in Tampa, with frequent local travel for donor, advisor, and community meetings across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. A flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends—particularly during October through December—is required. The Executive Director must be able to drive to meetings across the service area and pass applicable pre-employment screening while demonstrating legal authorization to work in the United States.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Eight or more years of progressive leadership in philanthropy, fundraising, or foundation management.
At least five years focused on planned or major gifts.
Distinguished record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts, including planned gifts.
Command of gift instruments such as charitable remainder trusts, bequests, beneficiary designations, and donor-advised funds.
Financial acumen to review investment reports and fund statements.
Experience partnering with and staffing a board of directors, including leading strategic planning.
Ability to develop fundraising marketing strategies and messaging in partnership with marketing professionals.
Demonstrated commitment to Metropolitan Ministries’ mission and the humility and character to honor its faith-based history and Christian mission and live the Sanctuary Model commitments.
Expertise, discretion, integrity, and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor and steward while protecting donor intent and the Foundation’s reputation.
Strong communication and public-representation skills, with the ability to build lasting trust with donors, families, advisors, and board members.
Strategic and hands-on approach, with the ability to collaborate across leadership, advancement, donor services, and marketing teams.
Ability to hear and speak effectively for oral communication and physical and emotional stamina to handle job-related issues and stress.
Ability to drive to meetings across the three-county service area.
Must pass applicable pre-employment screening and demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in nonprofit management, business, law, or a related field.
CAP®, CFRE, or CSPG credential.
Experience leading an endowment, supporting organization, or community foundation.
Established relationships in Tampa Bay’s philanthropic, faith, and professional advisor communities.
Active involvement in associations such as Charitable Gift Planners or a local estate planning council.
Experience in a faith-based organization.
Personal Christian faith.

Responsibilities

Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors to build the Foundation’s endowment, serving as lead gift planner and principal major gifts officer.
Meet annual goals for major gifts and new legacy commitments.
Grow the legacy society and develop a steady pipeline of bequest intentions and beneficiary designations.
Build partnerships with estate attorneys, CPAs, wealth advisors, and trust officers, and participate in professional networks through leadership, speaking engagements, and educational events.
Provide meaningful stewardship to endowed-fund holders and legacy donors, including annual fund reports and impact stories, and oversee donor recognition.
Develop and lead the Foundation’s multi-year strategic plan, identify philanthropic opportunities and trends, and translate them into measurable goals and results.
Coordinate prospect assignments and shared donor data with the Chief Philanthropy Officer and advancement team.
Create marketing strategies and messaging for legacy giving and major gifts; partner with the marketing team on campaigns, brand alignment, and measurement.
Represent the Foundation and Metropolitan Ministries at community, civic, philanthropic, and congregational events, strengthening relationships with founding churches and the wider faith community.
Model and champion Metropolitan Ministries’ mission, faith-based heritage, and Sanctuary Model culture with donors, families, advisors, board members, and staff.
Partner with the Board Chair to lead an engaged Board of Directors; plan and staff board meetings, prepare agendas and minutes, present financial and investment results prepared with the CFO, and support director recruitment, orientation, and succession planning.
Work with the CFO and outside investment consultants on investment oversight and report performance against the Investment Policy Statement to the Board.
Safeguard donor intent in accordance with Foundation policy and Florida’s Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act.
Counsel donors, families, and advisors on gift options, including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, donor-advised fund grants, appreciated securities, and real estate, in accordance with the Gift Acceptance Policy.
Manage estate gifts from notification through final distribution, tracking pending estates and trusts and responding to attorneys, personal representatives, and trustees.
Direct the Foundation’s part-time assistant and manage its annual operating budget, vendors, and systems.
Partner with the CFO on audit, compliance, and financial reporting and with donor services on accurate gift records.
Meet personal goals and contribute to team and organizational targets in the KPI and annual plan; attend required staff meetings and ongoing trainings; complete other assigned duties.

Benefits

Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, with optional family coverage.
Preventative care covered at 100% on all plans.
PTO, including 11 days annually for full-time employees.
10 paid holidays annually.
Option to participate in a 401(k) plan with employer match.
$15,000 employee life insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.
Employee Assistance Program.
Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Training and career development.
Discounted YMCA membership.