Senior Director, Philanthropy - ULH

ULSA University of Louisville; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Director of Philanthropy at the University of Louisville leads strategic fundraising efforts and oversees a team of advancement professionals to secure major gifts for university priorities.

Responsibilities include managing a high‑net‑worth portfolio, mentoring staff, and collaborating with hospital leadership and physicians. The role requires extensive donor engagement, events, and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Progressive fundraising leadership experience in a complex academic‑medical hospital environment.
• Proven track record securing major gifts, capital projects, planned giving, or wealth management.
• Experience managing a major‑gift portfolio with metrics, systems, and relationship building.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute fundraising initiatives to achieve annual goals, including a minimum $3 million target.
• Manage a portfolio of high‑potential prospects capable of 6–7 figure gifts.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development to unit staff; set performance metrics.
• Maintain a major‑gift portfolio with CRM tracking, moves documentation, and proposals.
• Build relationships with doctors, staff, patients, and volunteers to identify new prospects.
• Promote deferred giving and advise leaders on engagement opportunities with top prospects.
• Collaborate with departments to align prospect strategies and solicitations.
• Attend events and travel to meet donors; occasional nights, weekends, and regional travel.

Skills

Team leadership

Relationship building

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree or fundraising certification value

Job description

Position Description

The Senior Director of Philanthropy is responsible for creating and executing a strategic fundraising plan in coordination with the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy – UofL Health. The role cultivates long‑term relationships with major donors, coordinates with hospital leaders to secure support for strategic priorities, and oversees a team of fundraising professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives to achieve annual goals, including a minimum performance standard of $3 million.
• Manage a portfolio of high‑potential individual prospects capable of 6–7 figure gifts through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycles.
• Provide training, mentoring, and professional development to unit staff; set performance metrics and evaluate staff accomplishments.
• Maintain a major‑gift prospect portfolio, including systems‑based tracking (CRM), documentation of moves, and preparation of proposals, terms, and stewardship reports.
• Build and sustain relationships with doctors, staff, patients, and volunteers to identify new prospects and collect patient stories for the Gratitude Heals program.
• Promote deferred giving, maintain knowledge of deferred vehicles, and advise university and hospital leaders on engagement opportunities with top prospects.
• Collaborate with Prospect Management & Development, and hospital leadership to align prospect strategies and solicitations.
• Attend events, prepare prospect meetings, and travel to meet donors and prospects as required; occasional nights, weekends, and regional travel may be needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a rigorous academic field and a minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising leadership experience in a complex, decentralized academic‑medical hospital environment.
• Proven track record in securing high‑net‑worth major gifts, capital project fundraising, planned giving, or wealth management.
• Advanced degree or professional fundraising certification is valued.
• Experience managing a major‑gift portfolio with metrics, systems, and relationship‑building skills to maximize transactional and transformational gifts.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and decision‑making abilities, with an emphasis on team‑centric culture and collaborative environments.
• Deep commitment to integrated philanthropy and ability to navigate diverse service lines, departments, and program priorities.
• High integrity, professionalism, creativity, and the ability to handle multiple priorities with a goal‑oriented mindset.

Benefits

The University of Louisville offers an exceptional benefits package. Compensation will be commensurate with candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University offers a merit‑based, nondiscriminatory workplace, providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. The University prohibits discrimination toward individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other protected classes, ensuring affirmative steps to promote equal opportunity.