Senior Executive Director, Development – Individual Giving

Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today. 

About the Position

The Senior Executive Director of Development, Individual Giving (SEDOD) ensures the fundraising success of the philanthropic program by serving as a subject matter expert, professional role model, and strategic leader within the Office of Philanthropy. This role supports the shared vision of the department by implementing strategies that strengthen collaboration, improve efficiency, and drive metrics-based performance outcomes.

The SEDOD will lead fundraising initiatives focused on major and principal gifts from individual donors while preparing the organization for the rigors of future campaigns. This role also provides leadership, coaching, and strategic direction to team members, while maintaining a strong frontline fundraising presence and cultivating relationships with key internal and external partners.

As a successful candidate, you will: 

Lead fundraising strategy and donor engagement

• Meet established annual activity and financial performance metrics.

• Develop and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for prospective major and principal gift donors, focusing on gifts between $100K and $4.9M.

• Maintain regular engagement with donors through meetings, events, and personalized communications.

• Identify and qualify new major and principal gift prospects to expand the donor pipeline.

• Collaborate with philanthropy colleagues across City of Hope to pursue joint giving opportunities and successful solicitations.

• Coordinate fundraising strategies with physicians, administrators, and other institutional partners.

• Maintain an active prospect portfolio and move donors through the fundraising cycle.

Lead and develop a high-performing fundraising team

• Provide strategic oversight, mentorship, and coaching for fundraising staff.

• Guide team members toward meeting performance metrics and achieving fundraising goals.

• Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention efforts within the team.

• Provide ongoing feedback and professional development opportunities for staff.

• Ensure responsible fiduciary oversight and accountability for funds raised.

• Foster collaboration across the Office of Philanthropy and with other City of Hope departments.

Serve as a leader and ambassador for the Office of Philanthropy

• Represent City of Hope in meetings, events, and initiatives as requested.

• Participate in search committees, task forces, and special projects.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with City of Hope faculty, physicians, administrators, and staff.

• Demonstrate discretion, professionalism, and strong communication skills when navigating complex situations.

• Maintain a strong understanding of City of Hope’s fundraising priorities and institutional initiatives.

Your qualifications should include: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in business, philanthropy, or a related field preferred.

• 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or related work in a nonprofit environment.

• Demonstrated experience across the full spectrum of development, including major gifts, gift policies, volunteer engagement, and campaign strategy.

• Proven success cultivating and soliciting major and principal gifts.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience creating effective donor communications.

• Strong ability to build collaborative relationships with physicians, administrators, and internal stakeholders.

• Experience working within a complex healthcare environment preferred.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, pleaseCLICK HERE.