Associate Vice President, ACS Foundation

American College Of Surgeons; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

BlueCross BlueShield medical coverage

Dental, Vision, Prescription drug plan

403(b) Matching Program

Pension Plan

Flexible Spending Medical/Dependent C0

Job summary

American College of Surgeons in Chicago seeks an Associate Vice President for the ACS Foundation to spearhead strategic leadership and philanthropic programs. You will guide development strategy, donor relations, and industry partnerships while ensuring alignment with ACS priorities and mission.

The role oversees Scholarship and Fellowship operations, engages diverse stakeholders, and drives growth across fundraising initiatives. Hybrid work arrangement applies with salary range noted.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership in nonprofit management, fundraising, or related roles.
• Proven success leading large-scale fundraising programs and organizational strategy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with boards, volunteers, and executive leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to philanthropy and advancing organizational impact.
• Fiscally responsible and strong budget acumen.
• Forward thinking adaptation of technology to advance strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the ACS Foundation and ACS philanthropic programs.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors, ACS Regents, and College leadership.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational plans aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead all fundraising activities including annual, major, and planned giving programs.
• Drive achievement of fundraising goals through donor engagement and strategic initiatives.
• Expand philanthropic programs and increase donor participation and support.
• Oversee Foundation operations including employee leadership, budgeting, and program management.
• Ensure legal compliance, fiscal accountability, and effective resource allocation.
• Manage contracts, grants, and operational systems supporting development activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Promote awareness of philanthropy within ACS and across external constituencies.
• Represent the Foundation in public forums and professional communities.
• Expand and develop an Industry Relations Program.
• Increase philanthropic support.
• Develop and maintain an alumni network for awardees.
• Increase visibility of awards, recipients and outcomes.
• Streamline applicant and evaluation process.
• Develop strategies to increase engagement of volunteers, leaders, and stakeholders in philanthropy.
• Identify opportunities to expand fundraising programs and explore new revenue streams.
• Lead initiatives that enhance the Foundation's impact and reach.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Board relations

Communication

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 95,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit www.facs.org.

Our Mission

The American College of Surgeons is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

Our Vision

To create a healthcare landscape where surgeons thrive and every patient has access to and benefits from the highest standards of surgical care, driven by innovation, education, leadership, and trust.

Summary: The Associate Vice President (AVP), ACS Foundation serves as an employee of the American College of Surgeons and provides strategic leadership for all philanthropic initiatives. This role oversees development strategy, fundraising programs, industry relations and Foundation operations, ensuring alignment with ACS priorities. The position mobilizes resources, engages stakeholders, and advances a culture of philanthropy to support the College's mission and long-term growth. This role also oversees all Scholarship and Fellowship programs and operations.

This exempt position will report to the Executive Director & CEO, American College of Surgeons. It is based in our Chicago office and is a hybrid role: 3 days per week in the office/2 days per week remote.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $190,000 - $225,000 (commensurate with related experience).

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the ACS Foundation and ACS philanthropic programs.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors, ACS Regents, and College leadership.
• Develop and implement strategic and operational plans aligned with organizational priorities.

Fundraising & Development

• Lead all fundraising activities including annual, major, and planned giving programs.
• Drive achievement of fundraising goals through donor engagement and strategic initiatives.
• Expand philanthropic programs and increase donor participation and support.

Operations & Financial Management

• Oversee Foundation operations including employee leadership, budgeting, and program management.
• Ensure legal compliance, fiscal accountability, and effective resource allocation.
• Manage contracts, grants, and operational systems supporting development activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & External Relations

• Build and maintain relationships with donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Promote awareness of philanthropy within ACS and across external constituencies.
• Represent the Foundation in public forums and professional communities.
• Expand and develop an Industry Relations Program.

Scholarship & Fellowship Management

• Increase philanthropic support.
• Develop and maintain an alumni network for awardees.
• Increase visibility of awards, recipients and outcomes.
• Streamline applicant and evaluation process.

Program Growth & Innovation

• Develop strategies to increase engagement of volunteers, leaders, and stakeholders in philanthropy.
• Identify opportunities to expand fundraising programs and explore new revenue streams.
• Lead initiatives that enhance the Foundation's impact and reach.

Required Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, or related roles.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale fundraising programs and organizational strategy.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with boards, volunteers, and executive leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to philanthropy and advancing organizational impact.
• Fiscally responsible and strong budget acumen.
• Forward thinking adaptation of technology to advance strategic goals.

Comprehensive Benefits:

We're committed to attracting and retaining top talent via valuable benefits!

• Vacation, personal, and sick hours including 13 paid holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical-comprehensive coverage through BlueCross BlueShield
• Dental, Vision, and Prescription drug program
• 403(b) Matching Program
• Pension Plan
• Flexible Spending Medical/Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Domestic Partner Coverage

The American College of Surgeons is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.