Executive Director of Philanthropy

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization:

PAMF-Palo Alto Medical Foundation PAD

Position Overview:

This position provides strategic leadership for Sansum Clinic’s philanthropy program, with a primary focus on cultivating and soliciting individual donors, driving comprehensive campaign strategy, and managing all development operations in alignment with Sutter Health’s goals. Serving as the lead fundraiser for the Sansum Foundation, the role is responsible for securing $3M–$5M+ in annual philanthropic support.

The position acts as a key administrative liaison to senior management, medical staff, and Sutter Health leadership, ensuring seamless coordination, effective communication, and alignment of organizational strategies with mission, priorities, and resources. Externally, the role represents Sutter Health within the community, promoting understanding of its mission and programs, and fostering partnerships that enhance community health. It serves as a catalyst for collaboration by positioning the organization as a trusted resource dedicated to improving the well-being of local residents.

Job Description:

OB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Leadership / Strategic Relationships

• Provides visionary leadership that advances the organization’s philanthropic mission.

• Works with leaders to support the recruitment and training of trustees to ensure that the Board is properly constituted and equipped to conduct effective governance and to lead volunteer fundraising efforts.

• Works with fundraising staff and volunteers to build and maintain momentum and focus for all who are engaged in fundraising efforts.

• Collaborates with senior leadership, philanthropic boards, area fundraising teams, physicians, service line executives, and community leaders to effectively raise gifts related to the priorities of the organization and the personal wishes of the donor.

• Works closely with campaign services and operations teams to identify campaigns that have donor appeal and align with Sutter Health strategy.

• Responsible for devising and implementing effective, creative, and often original strategies designed to interest, engage, and secure a wide range of gift opportunities.

• Establishes and maintains first-class working relationships with Sutter Health’s department chairs and chiefs, physicians, researchers, management, and other key personnel by establishing trust, respect, and rapport within a professional working relationship.

Staff Management

• Ensures that staff are properly hired, trained, supported, and guided, and ensures their professional development is nurtured.

• Creates a positive and efficient work environment that values professional development and promotes teamwork.

• Works to establish accountability standards and systems that track the effectiveness and impact.

• Annually evaluates staff and provides necessary action to ensure effective and efficient outcomes.

Philanthropy Program / Operations

• Oversees annual budget, budgetary planning, and fiscal management.

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, and strategies for philanthropy program.

• Works in collaboration to build and articulate a well-integrated philanthropy program, capable of supporting long-range fundraising objectives. This includes:

  • Aligning philanthropy’s messages for clinicians, volunteers, and staff, to ensure an understanding of philanthropy

  • Incorporating work with grateful patients and families into the philanthropy program

  • Working with appropriate communications staff to maintain a comprehensive internal and external communications program for philanthropy.

  • Serve as lead staff for the board of trustees or philanthropy committee

  • Ensures alignment of philanthropy activities with all philanthropy across Sutter Health

Fundraising / Prospect Management

• Serves as the lead fundraiser, managing a portfolio of high-end annual donors, planned giving donors and major gift donors.

• Leads the coordination of major and planned gift officers dedicated to philanthropy

• Leads the collaboration between leadership, area leaders and/or gift officers for the purposes of advancing the fundraising program through major donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation activities

• Develops funding priorities and case materials for fundraising

• Track activity and productivity of major and planned gifts

• Supports donor acquisition programs (such as annual fund/direct mail, memorial/tribute giving, online givi