Executive Director of Philanthropy

Executive Director of Philanthropy Join to apply for the Executive Director of Philanthropy role at Sutter Health

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Organization

PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAD

Position Overview

This position provides strategic leadership for Sansum Clinic’s philanthropy program, with a primary focus on cultivating and soliciting individual donors, driving comprehensive campaign strategy, and managing all development operations in alignment with Sutter Health’s goals. Serving as the lead fundraiser for the Sansum Foundation, the role is responsible for securing $3M–$5M+ in annual philanthropic support.

The position acts as a key administrative liaison to senior management, medical staff, and Sutter Health leadership, ensuring seamless coordination, effective communication, and alignment of organizational strategies with mission, priorities, and resources. Externally, the role represents Sutter Health within the community, promoting understanding of its mission and programs, and fostering partnerships that enhance community health. It serves as a catalyst for collaboration by positioning the organization as a trusted resource dedicated to improving the well‑being of local residents.

Additional information: We have retained Meng Peeps as our exclusive retained search firm partner. Applications will be forwarded to them to assess your potential candidacy.

Job Accountabilities

Leadership / Strategic Relationships

• Provides visionary leadership that advances the organization’s philanthropic mission.
• Works with leaders to support the recruitment and training of trustees to ensure that the Board is properly constituted and equipped to conduct effective governance and to lead volunteer fundraising efforts.
• Works with fundraising staff and volunteers to build and maintain momentum and focus for all who are engaged in fundraising efforts.
• Collaborates with senior leadership, philanthropic boards, area fundraising teams, physicians, service line executives, and community leaders to effectively raise gifts related to the priorities of the organization and the personal wishes of the donor.
• Works closely with campaign services and operations teams to identify campaigns that have donor appeal and align with Sutter Health strategy.
• Responsible for devising and implementing effective, creative, and often original strategies designed to interest, engage, and secure a wide range of gift opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains first‑class working relationships with Sutter Health’s department chairs and chiefs, physicians, researchers, management, and other key personnel by establishing trust, respect, and rapport within a professional working relationship.

Staff Management

• Ensures that staff are properly hired, trained, supported, and guided, and ensures their professional development is nurtured.
• Creates a positive and efficient work environment that values professional development and promotes teamwork.
• Works to establish accountability standards and systems that track the effectiveness and impact.
• Annually evaluates staff and provides necessary action to ensure effective and efficient outcomes.

Philanthropy Program / Operations

• Oversees annual budget, budgetary planning, and fiscal management.
• Develops and implements goals, objectives, and strategies for philanthropy program.
• Works in collaboration to build and articulate a well‑integrated philanthropy program, capable of supporting long‑range fundraising objectives. This includes:
• Aligning philanthropy’s messages for clinicians, volunteers, and staff, to ensure an understanding of philanthropy.
• Incorporating work with grateful patients and families into the philanthropy program.
• Working with appropriate communications staff to maintain a comprehensive internal and external communications program for philanthropy.
• Serve as lead staff for the board of trustees or philanthropy committee.
• Ensures alignment of philanthropy activities with all philanthropy across Sutter Health.

Fundraising / Prospect Management

• Serves as the lead fundraiser, managing a portfolio of high‑end annual donors, planned giving donors and major gift donors.
• Leads the coordination of major and planned gift officers dedicated to philanthropy.
• Leads the collaboration between leadership, area leaders and/or gift officers for the purposes of advancing the fundraising program through major donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation activities.
• Develops funding priorities and case materials for fundraising.
• Track activity and productivity of major and planned gifts.
• Supports donor acquisition programs (such as annual fund/direct mail, memorial/tribute giving, online giving and stewardship).
• Identifies, qualifies, and manages referrals of new prospects to appropriate fundraising staff.
• Ensures appropriate acknowledgement, stewardship and cultivation of prospects and donors.
• Ensures appropriate and effective use of external counsel when needed for program audits and campaigns.

Education

Equival­ent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.

Bachelor's

Typical Experience

15 years recent relevant experience

Skills and Knowledge

• Exemplary leadership, management skills with the ability to motivate and mentor individuals in a changing environment while increasing performance.
• Comprehensive knowledge of all fundraising approaches, with special expertise and understanding of capital campaigns, principal and major gifts, and planned giving.
• Well‑developed problem‑solving and analytical skills, with an ability to devise creative solutions to complex problems and issues.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive, collaborative, productive relationships with diverse key stakeholders across the organization.
• Strong and persuasive interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately.
• Energized and enthusiastic leader with strong intellect and creativity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with both internal and external constituents, including public speaking skill at delivering compelling and persuasive arguments.
• Ability to build trust through leadership and decision making.
• Well organized and successful at judging multiple priorities.
• Foresees roadblocks and prepares creative alternatives.

Job Shift

Days

Schedule

Full Time

Days Of The Week

Monday – Friday

Weekend Requirements

As Needed

Benefits

Yes

Unions

No

Position Status

Exempt

Weekly Hours

40

Employee Status

Regular

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.

Pay Range is $88.29 to $141.27 / hour.

The salary range for this role may vary above or below the posted range as determined by location. This range has not been adjusted for any specific geographic differential applicable by area where the position may be filled. Compensation takes into account several factors including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, department equity, training and organizational needs. Base pay is just one piece of the total rewards program offered by Sutter Health. Eligible roles also qualify for a comprehensive benefits package.

Contact

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Other

Industries: Hospitals and Health Care