The Sr. Advisor - Principal Gifts is responsible for the strategic qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of complex and principal outright gifts ($1 million and above) to drive revenue. This role involves developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising and awareness strategies to achieve key priorities. This includes, but is not limited to, family foundations, family offices, venture capital, private equity, professional advisors, and sponsoring organizations such as Fidelity and DAFgiving360 and skills-based volunteerism. The Sr. Advisor will execute both short- and long-term relationship strategies with key financial individuals, corporations, and foundations, ensuring ongoing engagement and support.
Key Responsibilities:
Relationship Building: Utilize fundraising expertise and interpersonal skills to establish and nurture relationships with donors, their families, and advisors from diverse backgrounds to secure significant gifts at the principal gift level ($1 million and above).
Strategic Collaboration: Partner with territory and executive leaders to develop and implement high-wealth strategies that drive revenue growth and enhance the mission impact of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of at least 75 key donors, family offices, and foundations. Conduct personal visits and maintain regular contact with potential donors, with a focus on increasing outreach and engagement with multicultural high-wealth donors.
Technology Utilization: Leverage donor management software to capture and analyze donor interactions, document communications, and complete necessary reports and documentation, including accounting forms and mileage reports.
Efficient Planning: Analyze donor portfolios to optimize trip planning and time management, ensuring maximum donor visits and effective coverage of assigned territories. Meet or exceed specified contact and solicitation goals.
Cross-Departmental Coordination: Work with various ALSAC departments to plan and implement strategies for high-wealth influencer cultivation, including professional advisor and family office strategies.
Discretion and Fiduciary Responsibility: Handle cash, checks, and in-kind donations with high levels of discretion, adhering to ALSAC policies and procedures. Follow guidelines set by the Gift Acceptance Policy and submit exceptions to the Gift Acceptance Committee (GAC) for review.
Knowledge Maintenance: Stay current on tax laws affecting charitable giving, personal assets, and estates. Maintain a working knowledge of culturally relevant funding and engagement opportunities to effectively work with donors from all backgrounds.
Effective Communication: Maintain open communication with territory leadership, the National Executive Office, and support team members. Collaborate with all ALSAC divisions to share donor and event information, enhancing enterprise-wide donor experiences. This includes making presentations to community groups, businesses, and other organizations, and attending or staffing various events.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends, processes, and policies. Maintain comprehensive knowledge of St. Jude’s mission, research, and patient care to represent ALSAC-St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital positively.
Qualifications:
- Extensive knowledge of planned giving, blended gifts, major gifts, and/or sales, with a proven track record of success in managing and closing principal gift level/sales prospects. This includes, but is not limited to, family foundations, family offices, venture capital, private equity, professional advisors, and sponsoring organizations such as Fidelity and DAFgiving360, at the principal gift level of $1 million and above.
- Proven experience in closing seven-figure gifts.
- Bachelor's degree, advanced degree preferred, with a minimum of 8+ years professional experience, including successful supervisory experience and ideally front-line experience.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and deep relationships with donors.
- Ability to engage donors/prospects with limited initial connection to the mission, often through their networks and gatekeepers.
- Skill in developing genuine relationships with high-wealth and ultra-high-wealth prospects, older individuals, executives, and people from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills in a complex environment.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and external partners.
- Excellent communication skills, both informal and formal, with a focus on articulating business needs and values, including diversity and inclusion.
- Strong interpersonal, telephone, and video conferencing skills.
- Flexibility to travel nationally, including weekends and evenings as necessary.
- Driver's License: A valid driver's license is required for this role. The position comes with a company car equipped with AAA membership, insurance coverage, a maintenance plan, and a fuel card for convenience. This car is also eligible for personal use, providing you with the flexibility to enjoy its benefits beyond work hours. For more details about this valuable benefit, please inquire during the interview process.
