Executive Director for Medical Development

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University seeks an Executive Director for Medical Development to strategically lead the School of Medicine's advancement efforts, directing major gifts programs and donor engagement on a national and international scale.

The role collaborates across university relations and development to advance priorities, including scholarships, research funding, and professorships, with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in development or related field with a record of closing major gifts.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the School of Medicine's fundraising plans.
• Lead national and international gifts program and major gift strategies.
• Cultivate and solicit donors; collaborate across university relations and development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Major gifts

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Executive Director for Medical Development has primary responsibility to provide the strategic leadership of a comprehensive advancement program for the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's highest strategic priorities that impact the school's future and national reputation. The executive director is responsible for leading the national and international leadership gifts program, which includes major and principal gift strategies and opportunities. The executive director is responsible for the development of overall fundraising plans for the strategic priorities in alignment with the overarching strategies of the School of Medicine and the university's division of university relations and development. As an experienced development professional, the executive director is expected to engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, and collaborate with university relations and development in developing strategies for the university's fundraising, alumni, annual fund and communications programs, and plan and implement initiatives for the medical school's highest priorities, national and international development, and major and principal gifts and the annual giving program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve as a member of the executive management group of the School of Medicine's development and alumni relations office. Assist with the development and implementation of strategies and plans to fulfill the school's mission. (10%)
• Work in partnership with the vice dean for development and alumni relations to develop and execute strategies targeted at the highest-level donors and prospects for the School of Medicine. (10%)
• Provide leadership on fundraising plans and strategies for the School of Medicine's highest priorities including but not limited to scholarship, research funding, professorships, and specific inter-professional initiatives. (20%)
• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the national and international development program that will encompass all areas of principal gifts, major gifts, annual giving, foundation relations corporate relations, alumni relations, special events and communications. (15%)
• Manage a discreet portfolio of high-capacity prospective donors to maximize gifts from the School of Medicines¿ individual and foundation constituents. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS

• Lead and manage the medical school's Leadership Prospect Group meetings and develop/ execute high-level strategies to advance the school's major and principal gift pipeline, advising and coaching development staff. (5%)
• Work in partnership with the university president, dean, vice president of health sciences, vice dean of development and alumni relations for the school of medicine and alumni relations and development colleagues and faculty of the school of medicine, and university relations and development to raise philanthropic support for priority programs, centers and departments. (5%)
• Collaborate with the development and alumni relations staff to formulate an annual fundraising plan that articulates prospects to be seen, solicited and funds to be raised f for the dean, vice president and vice dean. (5%)
• Collaborate with the development and alumni relations and central development staff in the implementation of the major components of a multimillion-dollar comprehensive campaign: including strategic planning, oversight, management, performance measurement and solicitation strategies. (5%)
• Operate effectively, both as an individual and in a team environment, under the pressures of a major fundraising effort. (5%)
• Establish and execute identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for the school of medicine's strategic priorities to ensure lasting relationships with donors and potential donors. (5%)
• Represent the school in its relationships with its development partners at the University Hospitals of Cleveland, Metro Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic. (2.5%)
• Provide leadership to the development program and faculty of the School of Medicine to inform and educate multiple constituents about the accomplishments of the school of medicine. (2.5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with dean and vice president of medical affairs, vice presidents, vice deans, associate deans, department chairs, and directors. Contact with faculty staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Frequent collaboration with the senior vice president for university relations and development, including regular contact with the President's Office, vice presidents, deans, vice deans, trustees, and alumni. Contact with directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, corporate executives and federal, state and local government officials. Contact with foreign visitors, healthcare officials and academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise a staff of seven development professionals and fundraisers and one administrative assistant.

QUALIFICAITONS

Experience: 10 or more years of progressive experience in development or related field with transferrable skills and a corresponding record of accomplishment in closing major gifts required.

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated strategic management skills to successfully develop and implement a development plan. Significant demonstrated experience in leadership level individual giving to provide the leadership for the entire program.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Experience in medical affairs and biomedical research is desirable; experience in the grateful patient arena is highly desirable.
• High degree of energy, creativity, flexibility, organization and interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, some evening and weekend work hours will be required. Frequent travel required.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by‑case basis.