Chief Development Officer

Job Summary

The Chief Development Officer of Independence Health will define the organization’s vision and direction and ensure the long-term success and transformation of the health system’s philanthropy. The direct representative of the Foundation boards and reporting to the CEO, this executive will serve as a link between Foundation leadership and health system management to facilitate alignment with the health system, while maintaining the historical identity and activities for the four foundations - Westmoreland/Frick Hospital Foundation, Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation, Butler Memorial Hospital Foundation and Clarion Hospital Foundation. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, board, donor and staff development and engagement; optimizing and developing strategies to secure contributions and major gifts; being a liaison to the community to build trust; establishing of best practices, KPIs and measurement; and supervising support staff that will assist in development activities.   The CDO will work with the CEO and Foundation boards through strategic planning to develop plans that will be effective for each of the four foundations. The CDO will have extensive knowledge of our local communities, be a trusted counselor to the CEO and boards, a motivated problem-solver, and passionate about philanthropy and community healthcare.

Essential Job Functions

• Goals/Strategy/Planning
  • Lead the development of the philanthropy strategy within the context of the system’s strategic and operating plan and in collaboration with the charitable foundations.
  • Provides vital input in short and long term strategic and operational planning and positioning within the organization.
  • Ensures that philanthropy and fund development are carried out in keeping with the organization’s values, mission, vision and plans.
  • Participates with the chief executive officer, staff and board in charting the organization’s course in fund development.
  • Keeps informed of developments in philanthropy.
  • Recommends policy positions concerning fund development.
  • Helps establish performance measures, monitors results and helps the Chief Executive Officer, foundation boards evaluate the effectiveness of the organizations’ fund development programs.

• Fundraising
  • Helps develop a balanced funding mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to the needs of the organization that will enable it to attract, retain and motivate donors and fundraising volunteers.
  • Ensures compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintains accountability standards to donors and ensures compliance with code of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct from fundraising executives.
  • Ensures establishment of and compliance with the organization’s own fund development and philanthropic principles, policies and procedures.
  • Develop an annual target for philanthropy consistent with the industry best practice and develop the operational plans and tactics necessary to meet the targets.
  • Develops a balances scorecard with operational metrics of the foundations to measure performance.
  • In concert with Legal, oversee regulatory compliance of the foundations including compliance with the relevant aspects of exempt organization law and regulation
  • In concert with Marketing, develop messaging and marketing for the Foundations to support fundraising.
  • Foster a culture of philanthropy within the community to identify Independence Health as the charity of choice within Westmoreland County.

• Board
  • Appropriately represents the organization, its board and director to donors, prospects, regulators, development committee and fundraising volunteers.
  • Helps the board determine accountabilities for foundation trustees and fundraising volunteers and helps evaluate performance regularly.
  • Develops agendas for meetings, so that the committees can fulfill their responsibilities effectively; develops an annual calendar to cover all crucial development items in a timely manner.
  • Informs the board chairs of each foundation and volunteer leadership on the condition of the organization’s fund development program and on all important factors influencing it.
  • Works with the board chairs of each foundation and volunteer leadership to make development committee(s) and the board function effectively in fund development.
  • Educate the foundation leadership with regard to the charitable mission of Independence Health, the scope and breadth of services, the quality and affordability of the services and leverage the foundations as a force for advocacy on behalf of Independence Health.
  • Assist the charitable foundations, the CEO and the governing board in identifying competencies and qualifications for candidates to serve on the board of the foundations and assisting in the ongoing education and assessment of trustees and related succession planning.
  • Manages restricted funds effectively to meet the intent of the donor and to prevent the neglect of narrow focus restricted funds.
  • Participate with the foundations and the Finance Committee of the board to develop the investment strategy for funds and oversee performance against expected returns.
  • Assures design and maintenance of donor and prospect records, gift management systems, and informational reports

• Staff/Admin/Management
  • Establishes personnel accountabilities for staff and evaluates performance regularly.
  • Assures sound fiscal operation of development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation.
• Provides oversight of the day-to-day operations of the foundations and personnel, including creating the accountability and performance management structure for staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Philanthropy, Fundraising, Public Policy, Public Administration or Business Administration and five (5) years of directing the philanthropic functions of a major institution experience.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising programs, including annual and capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving programs, corporate and foundation grant solicitation and grant writing.
• In addition, knowledge and experience in the following areas is required: the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering, research and cultivation practices, standard fundraising techniques including face-to-face solicitation, proposal writing, special events, telephone solicitation, and direct mail, and, development of office functions including gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting. The individual is also expected to have demonstrated experience and confidence in asking people to contribute time and money.  Strong understanding and familiarity with donor management data systems is necessary
• Two (2) to Four (4) years supervisory/management experience in development leadership positions.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of fundraising practices, donor accounting, donor and patient privacy and gift stewardship responsibilities.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience including the media when called upon.

Preferred Qualifications

• CFRE preferred (Certified Fundraising Executive (CRE) (this is not as big of a credential as it used to be now that universities are starting to offer degrees or fundraising concentrations)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position reports to the CEO and services as a part of the senior management team. The position supervises the following positions:   
  • Clarion Foundation manager
  • BHS Foundation Manager and staff
  • LAHCF Manager and staff
  • W/FHF Manager and staff