Sr Director, Philanthropy, Major Gifts

Inova; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Inova Health System is seeking a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead a high-performing team of gift officers in advancing major gifts and guiding comprehensive fundraising strategies. You will collaborate with executive leadership, physicians, and community partners to grow philanthropic support and strengthen donor relationships across the Foundation.

The role emphasizes portfolio management, strategy execution, and staff development to achieve fundraising targets while ensuring compliance

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in soliciting major gifts and leading development-related activities.
• 5 years of managerial experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (or 4 years of experience in lieu of degree).
• CFRE preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of fundraising professionals, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Inova priorities.
• Maintains a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, focusing on cultivation, solicitation, and closing gifts.
• Provides strategic direction for donor engagement activities and long-term relationship management.
• Partners with executive leadership, physicians, and stakeholders to align initiatives with funding needs.
• Oversees department operations to ensure policy compliance and best practices.
• Leads annual budget development and monitors revenue and expense targets.
• Collaborates with Foundation leadership to advance fundraising goals and community engagement.
• Establishes KPIs to drive fundraising outcomes and team effectiveness.

Skills

Major gifts

Team leadership

Strategic fundraising

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Senior Director of Philanthropy provides strategic and operational leadership for key development initiatives in support of Inova Health System’s philanthropic mission and organizational priorities. This role is responsible for leading a team of gift officers/development professionals focused on major gifts, driving a high-performance culture, and ensuring the successful execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies. The Senior Director partners closely with executive leadership, clinical stakeholders, and community partners to advance philanthropic growth, strengthen donor engagement, and expand the Foundation’s impact. This role is accountable for both individual fundraising performance and the development, coaching, and success of the team.
Job Responsibilities:

• Leads, coaches, and develops a team of fundraising professionals, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Develops and executes comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Inova Health System and Foundation priorities, driving sustainable philanthropic growth.
• Maintains a portfolio of high-value donors and prospects, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts.
• Provides strategic direction for donor engagement activities, ensuring effective identification, cultivation, stewardship, and long-term relationship management.
• Partners with executive leadership, physicians, and key stakeholders to align philanthropic initiatives with organizational priorities and funding needs.
• Oversees departmental operations to ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
• Leads the development and management of annual budgets, monitoring financial performance and ensuring achievement of revenue and expense targets.
• Collaborates with Foundation leadership to advance fundraising goals and strengthen community engagement.
• Establishes and monitors key performance metrics, driving accountability and continuous improvement in fundraising outcomes and team effectiveness.
• 10 years of experience in soliciting major gifts and leading development-related activities
• 5 years of managerial experience
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (or 4 years of experience in lieu of degree)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Fund Raising Executive Certification (CFRE)
• Demonstrated success in healthcare philanthropy, including experience developing and leading grateful patient fundraising strategies, engaging clinical partners, and cultivating meaningful donor relationships that drive philanthropic growth
• Experience leading transformational change within a philanthropy or fundraising organization
• Expertise in developing and executing comprehensive major gift strategies that drive sustainable philanthropic growth and long-term donor engagement

*Flexible hybrid work schedule available; candidates must be able to work on-site multiple days per week.

About Us

We are Inova, Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every day, our 26,000+ team members provide world-class healthcare to the communities we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare safety, quality and patient experience. And from best-in-class facilities to professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova, we're constantly striving to be ever better — to shape a more compassionate future for healthcare.

Inova Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Job Info

• Job Identification 684319
• Job Category Foundation
• Posting Date 08/20/2026, 06:59 PM
• Locations Inova 8095 - Fairfax East (Hybrid)
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree (BA, BS, BSN, etc.)