Senior Director of Advancement, MU Health Care’s Children’s Hospital and Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Job Description

The University of Missouri Division of Advancement seeks a passionate senior-level professional to support the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders mission at the University of Missouri and MU Health Care Children’s Hospital.  This position will contribute to a culture based upon patient-centered care and driven by the core values of respect, integrity, fairness, openness, excellence, accountability, and performance. The Senior Director will initiate, engage, and solicit major ($50K+) and leadership ($1M+) gifts to support the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders and MU Health Care’s Children’s Hospital.

Core Responsibilities Include:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Advancement, the Senior Director will work with administrators, faculty, and staff to identify philanthropic priorities that support MU Health Care’s Children’s Hospital (50%) and the Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders (50%) collective missions; 

Build a strong working relationship with the executive director of the Thompson Foundation for Autism to facilitate collaboration and partnership with the Foundation team;

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the research, teaching, clinical programs, and priorities of MUHC’s Children’s Hospital and Thompson Center to represent these needs both internally and externally;  

Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and principal gifts primarily from individual donors, grateful patient families, corporations, regional and national foundations, faculty and alumni; 

Develop a fundraising plan for the Thompson Center with deliverable goals and actions to achieve success for the mission;

Serve to lead specific areas and donor relationships as related to the Children’s Hospital

Identify through leadership, physician, and faculty partnerships the critical programs of excellence that are “unique” and have the opportunity for funding on a global platform

Engage new philanthropic relationships, particularly at an international or national level, to support the highest-level priorities for the Thompson Center and Children’s Hospital

Partner with faculty members to identify and create strategies for outreach, approach, solicitation, and stewardship of grateful patients in support of research, training, and patient care; 

Work with key Thompson Center and Children’s Hospital leaders to identify priorities and craft cases for support to inspire new and global level philanthropists to engage their giving

Provide leadership as an advancement officer in the development and implementation of advancement goals, objectives, and programs and assure alignment with the facility, organizational and system-wide goals, objectives, strategic plans, mission, vision, and values;

Manage a dynamic portfolio of at least 100 individual, corporate, and foundation prospects assuring successful evaluation, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;

Engage in educational training and activities within MU Health Care, MU School of Medicine, Advancement and Thompson Center;

Partner with colleagues to execute fundraising activities including, but not limited to, special events, tours, and faculty/staff presentations to support the cultivation of major gift prospects; 

Work collaboratively with Advancement functions such as planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, regional programs, prospect research, and records;

Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of HIPAA;

Other duties as assigned.

Ideal Competencies of a Successful Candidate: 

The ability to learn and serve in a high-level health care environment is ideal.

Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals.

Self-starter and a strong sense of urgency, motivates and inspires others to action.

Outstanding collaboration as a member of a team and the ability to work independently and with many diverse constituencies should be evident. 

Strong organizational skills are required, exemplary interpersonal and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to affect sophisticated volunteers and donors favorably.

Desired personal characteristics include the ability to serve as a role model for professionalism and leadership, characterized by trust, mutual respect, high ethical standards, and personal accountability.

Willingness to travel and to work occasional evening or weekend hours as needed. 

Applicants with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least six years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary;

Preferred Qualifications: 

A minimum of 6 years fundraising experience or equivalent transferable skills showing an understanding of the development model, i.e., pursuing and cultivating donors, customers, or business relationships;

Proven track record in closing $ 2,500,000 gifts annually

Academic health center fundraising experience will be prioritized. Experience specific to working in a children’s hospital, Autism Center, and or children’s healthcare organization as a fundraising leader will also be prioritized.