Chief Philanthropy Officer

Mercy Retirement & Care Center; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy Retirement & Care Center is searching for a Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) to lead philanthropic growth initiatives in Milwaukee. This full-time hybrid role focuses on deepening donor engagement and expanding organizational assets.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a strong leadership background. Responsibilities include managing a high-performing team, developing donor relationships, and operationalizing strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising and donor development.
• 10+ years of leadership experience managing a fundraising and development team.
• Proven experience leading planned giving strategy and comprehensive philanthropic campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive multi-year philanthropic growth strategy.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with professional advisors to drive philanthropic investment opportunities.
• Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and oversight to the development team.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Leadership

Strong interpersonal skills

Donor engagement

Strategic relationship management

Planned giving strategy

Job description

| | || - | - || Location | Milwaukee, WI 53212 |is honored to partner with **Greater Milwaukee Foundation** in the search for its next **Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO)**, a transformational executive leadership opportunity with one of the region's most influential community foundations dedicated to building a Milwaukee for all through an economic mobility focus. Reporting directly to the President & CEO. The CPO will drive enterprise-wide philanthropic growth, deepen engagement with donors, professional advisors, and community stakeholders, and help shape the Foundation's long-term strategic impact across the Greater Milwaukee region. This is a full-time, hybrid opportunity based in Milwaukee.* Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive multi-year philanthropic growth and asset development strategy designed to increase annual revenue, expand organizational assets, and deepen donor engagement across individuals, families, corporations, private foundations, and institutional partners.* Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, partnering closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to advance the Foundation's strategic priorities, organizational growth, and community impact - including leading the operationalization of the Foundation's newly board-approved Strategic Plan within the DPS function.* Partner with legal counsel and internal stakeholders, as appropriate, to structure complex philanthropic gifts and ensure alignment with regulatory, fiduciary, and organizational requirements.* Cultivate strategic relationships with professional advisors, including attorneys, accountants, trust officers, wealth managers, and financial planners, to expand referral pipelines and drive philanthropic investment opportunities.* Provide strategic leadership, coaching, and oversight to the DPS team, fostering a high-performing culture of accountability, psychological safety, and excellence - while actively building trust and collaboration across the full organization to embed a culture of philanthropy enterprise-wide.* Cultivate and manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, families, advisors, and philanthropic partners, securing major, planned, and legacy gifts while expanding long-term donor investment in the Foundation's mission and strategic initiatives.* Partner with Board leadership, committee members, and key volunteers to strengthen fundraising engagement, activate networks, and support strategic donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation efforts.* Lead the transition and future implementation of the Foundation's philanthropic technology infrastructure, including an active CRM evaluation, ensuring systems support data-driven donor engagement, relationship management, and long-term operational scalability.* Collaborate with Community Impact and cross-functional leadership teams to align philanthropic strategy with the Foundation's priority initiatives, ensuring donor investments translate into measurable and equitable community outcomes.* Champion innovative donor engagement and stewardship strategies that elevate donor experience, strengthen affinity, and position the Foundation as a trusted philanthropic partner and community leader.* Partner with Marketing and Communications to enhance the Foundation's visibility, philanthropic brand presence, and public profile across the greater Milwaukee region and among key target audiences.* Advance the Foundation's commitment to building a Milwaukee for all by developing intentional strategies to engage diverse donors, advisors, volunteers, and community stakeholders in meaningful philanthropic partnerships.* Oversee departmental budgeting, performance metrics, operational planning, and philanthropic infrastructure to ensure strong fiscal stewardship, scalability, and long-term sustainability.* Cultivate strong relationships with supporting organization boards and affiliated stakeholders, providing strategic partnership, governance support, and leadership to advance shared philanthropic objectives.* 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, advancement, donor development, stewardship, and/or strategic relationship-based sales.* 10+ years of leadership experience managing a fundraising and development team, with demonstrated ability to develop talent, delegate effectively, handle strong personalities, and build a high-trust team culture.* Proven experience leading planned giving strategy, trusts and estates, and comprehensive philanthropic campaigns.* Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with donors, financial professionals, legal advisors, and other stakeholders across diverse professional and social settings.* Seasoned executive presence and emotional intelligence, including the ability to navigate conflict directly and constructively, hold the line on difficult decisions, and lead with self-awareness and composure in a complex, high-stakes environment.* Ability and willingness to travel locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally in support of donor cultivation, stewardship, and community engagement priorities.