Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge seeks a visionary Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer to lead the philanthropy enterprise, drive multi-year fundraising, and secure major gifts that sustain patient care and research.

You will partner with the CEO, oversee a major gifts portfolio, build a high-performing team, and translate mission-driven strategies into funding, ensuring financial strength for the Foundation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience required, including five or more years in senior leadership with full program oversight and verifiable personal solicitation and successful closing of major and principal gifts.

Responsibilities

• Sets and leads overall philanthropy strategy for all programs and initiatives, demonstrates financial stewardship, and drives organizational revenue and team performance.
• Serves as Primary Liaison and Partner to Foundation Board of Directors, fostering board engagement in fundraising
• Maintains a focused personal portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gift prospects, leading the organization's most complex, high-value donor relationships
• Directs hiring, development and performance of the philanthropy team, fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization
• Serves as a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, contributing to organizational planning and institutional priorities
• Leads strategic initiatives and special projects advancing Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's mission and long-term financial strength

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

CFRE

Job description

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is Louisiana’s leading cancer care organization, caring for more patients each year than any other facility in the region. And with strategic hospital and physician partnerships, we are delivering on our mission to improve survivorship and lessen the burden of cancer.

Mary Bird Perkins and its partners work together to provide state-of-the-art treatments and unparalleled collaborative, comprehensive cancer services. This culture of innovation helps attract the best cancer minds in the country, from expert physicians and highly specialized scientists to forward-thinking leaders in supportive care and other disciplines.

Together, with our hospital and physician partners, we are one-hundred percent focused on cancer care.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Job Description:

SCOPE: The Vice President & Chief Philanthropy Officer provides strategic leadership for the entire philanthropy enterprise and is accountable for total organizational revenue, financial stewardship, team culture, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's path to lasting financial strength. Setting multi-year fundraising strategy across all programs and initiatives, the VP/CPO fosters a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization and ensures every fundraising effort reflects the mission, vision and values of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center.

As a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, the VP/CPO serves as the President & CEO's principal adviser and partner on all matters of philanthropy and advancement. The VP/CPO leads the organization's highest-level donor relationships across a focused portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gifts, while maintaining strategic oversight of the entire philanthropy program. In close collaboration with the President & CEO, the VP/CPO establishes clear performance benchmarks, monitors progress and ensures the philanthropy strategy delivers measurable impact aligned with institutional priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Sets and leads overall philanthropy strategy for all programs and initiatives, demonstrates financial stewardship, and drives organizational revenue and team performance

2. Serves as Primary Liaison and Partner to Foundation Board of Directors, fostering board engagement in fundraising

3. Maintains a focused personal portfolio of major ($50K+) and principal-level gift prospects, leading the organization's most complex, high-value donor relationships

4. Directs hiring, development and performance of the philanthropy team, fostering a culture of philanthropy across the organization

5. Serves as a member of the Cancer Center's Senior Management Team, contributing to organizational planning and institutional priorities

6. Leads strategic initiatives and special projects advancing Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Foundation's mission and long-term financial strength

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) preferred
• Minimum of ten years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience required, including five or more years in senior leadership with full program oversight and verifiable personal solicitation and successful closing of major and principal gifts