Head of Philanthropy

Inside Philanthropy; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

401k plan

Flexible vacation

Education assistance

Life, AD&D and Disability Insurance

Job summary

Susan Wojcicki Foundation seeks a Head of Philanthropy to build its development strategy from the ground up. You will cultivate major gifts, manage a donor pipeline, and coordinate with science teams to convert research into funding opportunities.

This remote, travel-heavy role requires strong leadership and donor relations expertise. You'll lead fundraising efforts across healthcare and science philanthropy, partnering with top donors, tech executives, and foundations to advance the

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in major or principal gifts fundraising (typically 12+ years).
• Proven ability to build fundraising strategy and pipeline from early stage.
• Strong, established relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutional funders.
• Ability to adapt messaging across audiences from scientists to donors to corporate executives.
• Healthcare or science philanthropy experience strongly preferred; familiarity with tech donor communities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Build and drive the Foundation's development strategy, pipeline, and annual fundraising plan.
• Identify, cultivate, and close major and principal gifts.
• Turn momentum into multi-year commitments with donors.
• Build and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutions that convert into sustained support.
• Partner with Communications & Marketing on fundraising events and activations.
• Work closely with the scientific team to translate research programs into funding opportunities.
• Represent the Foundation to donors and institutional funders.
• Hire and grow a small development team as the function scales.

Skills

Track Record

Builder's Mindset

Relationships

Range

Presence

Pace

Mission Fit

Job description

Location: Remote - San Francisco Bay Area, California preferred

Travel: Frequent — this is a highly external-facing role, and travel for donor meetings and events is essential

Reports to: Chief Communications & Marketing Officer

Type: Full-time Exempt

About the Susan Wojcicki Foundation

Founded in 2026, the Susan Wojcicki Foundation is dedicated to the early detection and prevention of lung cancer. The Foundation carries forward the legacy of Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube, who was diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer in 2022. It brings together leaders in science, technology, and healthcare to address one of the deadliest and most underdiagnosed cancers. Through research funding, strategic partnerships, and public awareness, the Foundation is working to fundamentally shift how lung cancer is detected, understood, and ultimately prevented. Learn more at susanwfoundation.org.

The Opportunity

We launched publicly in May 2026 — with national coverage in TIME and on Good Morning America, and a launch event that brought together leaders across science, technology, and philanthropy (more at susanwfoundation.org/the-latest).

The Head of Philanthropy will build and lead the Foundation's development strategy and function from the ground up, working across an unusually broad network — YouTube creators, major tech companies and executives, scientists, and technologists. You'll be equally a strategist and a doer, comfortable setting the plan and identifying, cultivating, and closing the gifts that achieve it. We operate lean, efficient, and effective, and this role is built in that spirit: real ownership from day one.

The Troper and Wojcicki families have committed $150 million in founding support to establish the Foundation. In the weeks following our May launch, our first fundraising event brought together scientists, creators, and technology leaders and raised more than $15M from outside donors, including first-year commitments from Google.org, Melinda French Gates, and Salesforce. It’s an incredible signal of the appetite for this work, and we believe it’s just the beginning. We’re looking for a leader who brings the strategic vision, major-donor relationships, and experience to build a philanthropy function from the ground up: turning early momentum into a lasting major gifts program and shaping funding opportunities across our science, education, and awareness work. This is a rare opportunity to define philanthropy for a new foundation, with the resources, relationships, and early proof already in place.

This is a remote, work-from-home position that requires regular travel throughout the San Francisco Bay Area; therefore, candidates based in the region are preferred.

What You'll Do

• Build and drive the Foundation's development strategy, pipeline, and annual fundraising plan
• Identify, cultivate, and close major and principal gifts
• Turn early donor and Founders Circle momentum into structured, multi-year commitments
• Build and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutions that convert into sustained support
• Partner with Communications & Marketing on fundraising events and activations
• Work closely with our scientific team to translate research programs into funding opportunities
• Represent the Foundation to donors, corporate partners, and institutional funders
• Hire and grow a small development team over time, as the function scales

What You'll Bring

We're looking for a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader who thrives at the intersection of science, philanthropy, and impact.

• Track Record: Significant senior experience in major or principal gifts fundraising (typically 12+ years), with a demonstrated record of personally closing seven-figure+ gifts
• Builder's Mindset: Proven success building fundraising strategy and pipeline — ideally from an early or nascent stage, not just inheriting an existing program
• Relationships: Strong, established relationships with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and institutional funders
• Range: Quick and nimble — able to adapt your approach and message across very different audiences, from scientists to donors to corporate executives
• Presence: Extensive experience working with high-profile individuals and organizations, with a polished, credible presence representing an organization at the highest levels
• Pace: Comfortable in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, where you're building the plane while flying it
• Mission Fit: Healthcare or science philanthropy experience strongly preferred; familiarity with tech, venture, or entrepreneurial donor communities a plus, given the Foundation's roots in technology and science

We care more about demonstrated ability than a perfect-match resume. If your path here looks different from what's listed above, we still want to hear from you.

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with education, relevant experience and location.

Benefits Summary

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Healthcare flexible spending account plan or health savings account plan
• Flexible vacation and paid sick time
• 401k plan
• Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing resources, and caregiver support
• Education assistance program
• Life, AD&D and Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

Equal Opportunity & Fair Chance Statement

Susan Wojcicki Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and applicable local ordinances. A background check will only be requested and considered after a conditional offer of employment is made.