POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Executive Director for Foundation Relations and Strategic Initiatives provides strategic leadership for a coordinated, comprehensive development program designed to increase dramatically the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University's ability to attract significant new resources from foundations, associations and corporations within the region, nation, and world. As a key leader of the medical school's broad and multi-pronged capital campaign (the single largest school portion of the university's campaign), this individual will develop short-, medium- and long-term plans that will spur engagement and investment needed to support the medical school's chief research and educational priorities. 

To provide effective leadership for this complex, multi-layered effort, the executive director will need to combine data and analytics regarding a diverse range of organizations with deep knowledge and understanding of the medical school's unique strengths and key initiatives. At the same time, the executive director also will play a primary and catalytic role in managing and nurturing relationships involving those organizations that have the interest in and capacity to make transformational commitments, e.g. ($5 million and above). 

The executive director will balance high-level oversight and direction of multiple fundraising strategies with direct relationship building with faculty and organizational representatives. This aspect of the executive director's responsibilities also will involve initiating conversations and interactions that can lead to groundbreaking gifts that enable unprecedented advances in health-related teaching, learning and discovery. In addition, this individual will continue to identify opportunities and initiatives and, in consultation with the senior associate vice president and/or vice dean, develop new strategies and tactics aimed at attracting more resources for the school's critical work.

As part of the position's responsibilities, the executive director will collaborate regularly with the university's central office of foundation and corporate relations, other school development offices, and external university partners (including, but not limited to, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, and University Hospitals of Cleveland). In this context, the executive director will have familiarity with the university's overall campaign priorities, as well as the individual strategies and key initiatives planned and launched to achieve those goals. In addition, this individual will develop alternative approaches that allow the university to build upon existing area partnerships to attract major commitments needed to realize shared goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Manage a discrete portfolio of high-capacity corporate and foundation donors and prospective donors ($1,000,000+) with an emphasis on gifts greater than $5,000,000 for the school of medicine in accordance with fundraising priorities established by the dean, vice dean, and senior associate vice president. This will involve collaboration with school and university leadership, Case Western Reserve University trustees, faculty and other alumni to advance potential projects that align with their missions and our priorities. (25%)
2. Work in partnership with and at the request of the offices of the president of the university and the dean of the school to develop strategies for funding high priority special projects. This executive director will be responsible for managing relationships that are local, regional, national, and international in scope. In collaboration with the senior associate vice president of institutional partnerships, develop strategies for impact philanthropy opportunities on behalf of the school. This may involve campus-wide convening and strategy sessions to prepare for such a large concept and submission. These projects have the potential to change the world. (20%)
3. Oversee and expand an advanced and highly successful foundation competitive grant awards program. As part of that responsibility, the executive director will manage senior staff who daily execute the details involved in enabling this program to continue and grow. (15%)
4. Provide leadership to and manage the area of strategic initiatives to ensure all corporate and foundation relations fundraising efforts are integrated with the school's vision and mission. (15%)
5. Serve as a member of the senior staff of the school of medicine and assist with the development and implementation of strategies and plans to fulfill the school's mission. (10%)
6. Directly supervise a strategic initiatives staff of three professional staff and one administrative staff. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Formulate an annual fundraising plan that details prospects to approach and how best to engage them to raise funds for the school of medicine (and, at times, the university). Provide quarterly reviews of the progress toward the achievement of that plan. (5%)
2. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with the senior associate vice president and vice dean, executive directors and directors of departments. Contact with faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions. 

University: Daily contact with vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions. Regular contact with the staff of the Office of the President.

External: Daily contact with donors, corporation and foundation representatives. Contact with international partners and academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions. 

Students: Infrequent contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervision of a department of three professional staff and one administrative staff. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Must have at least 12 or more years of progressive professional experience in a related field, preferably with at least eight years at an academic medical center or hospital and a corresponding record of accomplishment in closing major gifts. 

Education: Bachelor's degree required. 

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. High degree of energy, creativity, flexibility, organization and interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills required. 
2. Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues. 
3. Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
4. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
5. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
6. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, occasional nights and weekend hours. Regular travel required.