Executive Director, Philanthropy

When you join the growing BILH team, you’re not just taking a job, you’re making a difference in people’s lives. Reporting to the Market Vice President, Philanthropy, with great latitude for independent decision-making, the Executive Director, Philanthropy (ED) will oversee and manage a team of front-line philanthropy professionals, each of whom will have direct fundraising goals and responsibilities. The ED will be responsible for building and leading this team of front-line fundraisers toward the successful solicitation of outright gifts and pledges from individual donors to achieve or surpass ambitious annual and multi-year fundraising goals.

Working with the VP and other colleagues across Philanthropy and Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) Systems Services, the ED will help develop, articulate, and execute the strategic direction of the major gifts program, with a particular focus on securing six- and seven-figure commitments from individuals, to meet the current and future needs of the organization. The ED will also play a key role in the development and execution of an anticipated multi-year campaign. In addition, the ED will focus on the growth of volunteer, leadership, and physician engagement in/with Philanthropy to ensure the support and growth of a robust prospect pipeline. They will also manage a personal portfolio of prospects/donors as well as, potentially, the philanthropy-related activities for one or more priority clinical or specialty areas.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serves as a key member of and attends regular meetings with the VP’s senior leadership team.
• Works with the DVP to establish, implement, and execute annual and multi-year fundraising strategies, programs, and goals to secure philanthropic support for BILH.
• Participates in the planning of an anticipated multi-year campaign in support of BILH’s programmatic, endowment, and capital priorities.
• Responsible for the training, direction, management, and evaluation of fundraising staff, including developing stretch goals with and for, providing leadership to, and managing a team of front-line fundraisers toward the successful achievement of individual and departmental fundraising goals.
• Accompanies colleagues on prospect/donor visits and assists in the development of donor strategies toward their successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborates with Donor Relations and Events to create strategic and fiscally sound cultivation and recognition experiences for donors and prospective donors as well as engagement opportunities to expand BILH’s donor base.
• Engages Prospect Management and Prospect Research in the strategic identification and qualification of prospective donors and in the development of prospect portfolios for fundraising staff.
• Coordinates outreach and activities with prospects/donors who are also assigned to philanthropy colleagues across BILH, and ensures his/her direct reports do so as well.
• Works with colleagues and volunteers affiliated with existing and future advisory bodies to increase engagement and leadership in philanthropy as well as individual giving by volunteers, physicians, and members of governing boards.
• Provides guidance, coaching, and liaison support for LHMC senior management, physicians, and volunteers involved in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors.
• Personally manages a portfolio of 30-50 donors and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to achieve or surpass personal annual fundraising goals/targets.
• May also be responsible for defining fundraising projects and/or priority clinical or specialty areas that may include working closely with Prospect Research to develop pipelines from which to seek and secure philanthropic support.
• Prepares contact reports from prospect/donor visits/interactions and ensures that donor activity, including proposals, is maintained and up-to-date in Raiser’s Edge.
• Attends meetings and events related to cultivation and fundraising activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in philanthropy, with a proven track record of building donor relationships and securing large gifts. Healthcare fundraising experience is a plus, but not required.
• A visible leader with the ability and willingness to be integral in all major initiatives in the organization, and to work diligently to position philanthropy prominently in that landscape.
• A highly motivated, critical thinker who is able to establish and focus on priorities, quickly sense what will help or impede progress, move effectively toward identifying and removing barriers to performance, and keep projects and tasks on track.
• Motivational and inspirational leader to staff and volunteers, who is able to build relationships with diverse constituencies and has a work style characterized by maturity, integrity and honesty, and the ability to keep his/her ego in check.
• A superb communicator with excellent interpersonal and listening skills and a sense of humor who is politically astute, financially savvy, and open to new ideas. An independent thinker who can present a balanced analysis, has solid influencing skills, and is capable of building consensus while engendering trust, confidence, and credibility.
• Substantial, proven experience in all aspects of individual giving, especially integrating strategy across the annual-special-major-planned-principal gift spectrum.
• Demonstrated record of success in and enthusiasm for soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gift commitments.
• Ability to interface effectively across all levels of the BILH community, including executive management, staff, physicians, trustees, donors, patients, and friends.
• Comfort with ambiguity while remaining able to manage multiple time-sensitive priorities and projects in a dynamic organization.
• Flawless level of discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability and willingness to travel, as necessary.

As a health care organization, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. Beth Israel Lahey Health requires that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

More than 35,000 people working together. Nurses, doctors, technicians, therapists, researchers, teachers and more, making a difference in patients' lives. Your skill and compassion can make us even stronger.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled