About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution.  AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities.  Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding.  We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Position Summary

City of Hope’s mission is to “turn hope into reality.”  Focused on eliminating cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, City of Hope has established itself as a world-class leader in transforming the future of health. Raising the philanthropic resources to fuel its leading-edge research, its exquisite and compassionate clinical care, and its advancement of biomedical education and training, is a vital component of the City of Hope model of success.  Each member of the Office of Philanthropy is a stakeholder in this work, with personal accountability for his/her role in building a successful future of delivering new cures, treatments and education.

The Office of Philanthropy’s vision is to support this life-saving work by being known institutionally and nationally as a model of excellence among elite fundraising programs. Recent recruitments of nationally and internationally renowned faculty offer advancement leaders new opportunity for partnership among philanthropy, research and patient care.

To this end, we invest in our staff through the Team Activation Program (TAP) initiative. This initiative increases the effectiveness of our team through focused transparency & accountability, building trust within teams; training & development; celebrating innovation & risk taking; enhancing team communications and removing roadblocks to maximize activation. The TAP initiative ensures that the Office of Philanthropy is poised to move quickly, effectively and efficiently to maximize opportunities on behalf of City of Hope.

The Senior Executive Director of Development, Major Gifts (SEDOD), will ensure the fundraising success of the philanthropic program by serving as a subject matter expert for Supportive Care Medicine, a professional role model, and an identified team and program leader. The incumbent, having demonstrated leadership and success in the field, will execute strategies that support the shared vision of the Preparing Our People initiative. This effort includes preparing our office for the rigors of a campaign, to realize our goal of excelling as a highly collaborative, efficient and creative team. The SEDOD will implement a cultural adherence to personal accountability, shared success and a commitment to professional growth.

The SEDOD for Supportive Care Medicine will contribute by employing and role modeling key processes and programs that support an office-wide focus on collaboration, efficiencies and metrics-based performance outcomes, in addition to primary role responsibilities.

Within frontline focus, the SEDOD for Supportive Care Medicine will be a major gifts fundraiser responsible for securing individual, corporate and foundation gifts of $100k+ through undertaking sustainable, mission-focused cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. In pursuit of these outcomes, responsibilities include developing productive relationships with the Biller Advocacy Team volunteers, Supportive Care Medicine faculty and staff, and engaging them in substantive activities to identify new prospects and leverage existing prospect relationships, leading to increased philanthropy. The incumbent will work in partnership with key volunteers and Office of Philanthropy colleagues to build the pipeline of major gift donors, securing meetings and implementing individual cultivation and solicitation strategies.

The SEDOD for Supportive Care Medicine will ensure the success of Office of Philanthropy colleagues by providing oversight, coaching and strategy development advice, as well as facilitating the necessary collaboration throughout the Office of Philanthropy to achieve success. The SEDOD for Supportive Care Medicine will provide thoughtful and timely feedback, and role model and maintain adherence to a frontline focus.

The SEDOD for Supportive Care Medicine will have demonstrated success in building long-term philanthropic relationships while also consistently meeting fundraising goals, securing donations of $100k and above from individuals, corporations and foundation. Will have demonstrated experience in the full spectrum of development including gift policies, solicitations, volunteer engagement and campaign management. The incumbent will have strong written and oral communications skills, exhibited through the development of successful donor communications. Established success at building internal (staff, physicians, administrators) relationships is required, as well as the ability to engage these partners in successful solicitation/campaign strategies.

These experiences will have been secured with seven or more years of consecutive experience in a non-profit environment, with experience in a complex health care environment preferred.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead the team in reaching its fundraising activity and revenue goals through strong individual frontline focus:
  • Meet annual activity and financial performance metrics.
  • Analyze and implement program to ensure cost effectiveness.
  • Identify, develop and manage fundraising efforts for City of Hope’ Supportive Care Medicine Program’s philanthropic priorities and initiatives.
  • Develop and implement thoughtful, strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for prospective major donors (with a focus on individuals) for gifts of $100k+.
  • Ensure regular contact with donors, the Biller Advocacy Team, and the Biller Family Foundation representatives working in collaboration with the AVP, Foundations Relations through various activities and communications, especially face-to-face meetings.
  • Identify, organize and direct the efforts of philanthropic volunteers as needed and assigned.
  • Identify and develop joint major giving opportunities in collaboration with Philanthropy colleagues from across the institution and Office of Philanthropy teams for prospects and work towards successful solicitations.
  • Identify and qualify new major gift prospects.
  • Coordinate activities with other development officers and entities, including physicians and administrators.
  • Maintain an active portfolio with low inactive/cold rates, moving prospects through the fundraising cycle.
• Manage fundraising team as assigned with a focus on accountability and best practices. The incumbent will demonstrate an ability to motivate staff toward adherence to key performance indicators and to maintain a productive culture. Includes:
  • Oversee management of staff and act as mentor for all content and professional development areas. Includes serving as a resource in developing strategies, conducting ongoing conversations regarding performance in relation to metrics and articulating opportunities for employees’ growth and professional development in a thoughtful manner.
  • Provide leadership throughout employees’ tenure, from interviewing and making thoughtful hiring decisions, and providing foundational onboarding to new employees, to ensuring high employee retention within the Office of Philanthropy.
  • Responsible for fiduciary accounting of the funds raised through these campaigns. 
  • Responsible for department oversight and ensuring a positive working relationship between other City of Hope Departments and employees.  Position includes direct oversight of employees and the management of a work team that is integrated into the larger industry-based fund-raising effort.
  • Responsible for meeting established performance goals for team
• Serve as a role model for the Office of Philanthropy. Includes:
  • Act as spokesperson for City of Hope activities as requested.
  • Participate in search committees, task forces and other special projects.
  • Demonstrate an ability to solve problems, overcome hurdles, and navigate sensitive issues with discretion, tact and strong communication skills.
  • Develop and maintain productive relationships with City of Hope faculty and staff to support fundraising initiatives for COH priorities.
  • Possess thorough knowledge of the key fund-raising priorities for COH.
• Participate in the Supportive Care Medicine Campaign initiative

Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.  Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s in business, philanthropy or related field
• 7+ years in fund raising, development, or related field in non-profit environment. Experience in a complex medical or academic development setting encouraged.  Demonstrated understanding of social media outlets such as Linked In, Twitter and Facebook required

Preferred education experience and skills:

• Experience with high production value events is desirable.  Candidate must easily be able to navigate a wide variety of business and social settings and enjoy taking the message of City of Hope to individuals and organizations that are not yet familiar with its work

Additional Information:

• As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.

City of Hope is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.