About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope™, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hope’s specialized cancer expertise.

A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is ranked among the nation’s “Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

City of Hope’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe diversity, equity and inclusion is key in serving our mission to provide compassionate patient care, drive innovative discovery, and advance vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes in all of our communities. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ensures we bring the full range of skills, perspectives, cultural backgrounds and experiences to our work -- and that our teams align with the people we serve in order to build trust and understanding. We are dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity - in ideas, backgrounds and perspectives; this is reflected in our work and represented in our people.

Position Summary

City of Hope’s mission is to “turn hope into reality.” Focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes, City of Hope has established itself as a world-class leader in transforming the future of health. Raising the philanthropic resources to fuel its cutting-edge research, its exquisite and compassionate clinical care and its advancement of medical education and study, is a vital component of the City of Hope model of success. Each member of the Office of Philanthropy is a stakeholder in this work, with personal accountability for their role in building a successful future of delivering new cures, treatments and education.

The Office of Philanthropy’s vision is to support this life-saving work by being known institutionally and nationally as a model of excellence among elite fundraising programs. Recent recruitments of stellar faculty offer advancement leaders new opportunity for partnership between philanthropy, research and patient care.

Under the supervision of the Associate Vice President, Planned Giving the Senior Executive Director of Development, Planned Giving (SEDOD) will ensure the fundraising success of the philanthropic program by serving as a subject matter expert, a professional role model and an identified team and program leader. The incumbent, having demonstrated leadership and success in the field, will execute strategies that support the shared vision of the Preparing Our People initiative. This effort includes preparing our office for the rigors of a campaign, to realize our goal of excelling as a highly collaborative, efficient and creative team. The SEDOD will implement a cultural adherence to personal accountability, shared success and a commitment to professional growth.

The SEDOD will contribute by employing and role modeling key processes and programs that support an office-wide focus on collaboration, efficiencies and metrics-based performance outcomes, in addition to primary role responsibilities.

Specifically, the SEDOD is a primarily frontline-focused role with high emphasis on generating gift revenue. This position is responsible for independently developing and actively managing and soliciting a portfolio of planned giving prospects, as well as providing planned giving expertise, guidance and support to fellow frontline staff and two direct reports. The SEDOD will prepare written and oral proposals to donors and prospects, develop gift opportunities and cultivate/solicit gift prospects. Will conduct or facilitate the development of focused, effective donor meetings and donor cultivation events to inform donors/prospects of City of Hope programs, and to provide general information regarding planning opportunities available through charitable giving.

Additionally, the SEDOD will provide leadership in the creation of tools for the Office of Philanthropy to increase awareness of, and participation in, planned giving; includes mailers and marketing material, annual recognition and/or community events and giving society management. The SEDOD will oversee a planned giving donor society, and through the management of a Director of Development, the expansion of a national planned giving strategy.

As a member of the Planned Giving team, the SEDOD will maintain an understanding and knowledge of various planned giving techniques, in both the legal and tax domains, for use in gift solicitations. Will maintain professional growth and development, and keep abreast of latest trends in area of expertise.

The SEDOD will have demonstrated and significant knowledge of planned giving vehicles in a health care setting, including charitable gift annuities, real estate and other non-case tangible properties, charitable remainder and lead trusts, testamentary trusts, bequests, life insurance policies, and retained life estates. The SEDOD must understand the nuance and peculiarities of planned giving programs and the relevant legal, financial, and administrative regulations.

Established success at building internal (staff, physicians, administrators) and external relationships at executive levels is required for this position. This position additionally requires the ability to work in a collaborative and consultative manner with these partners, including identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospective donors. The SEDOD will exercise consideration judgment in the preparation, management, and development of fundraising proposals.

Key Responsibilities include:

Assist the planned giving team in reaching its goal by consistently using collaboration, strategy and a focus on the frontline to achieve annual metrics and financial goals. Includes:

• Manage key planned giving fundraising initiatives in alignment with City of Hope goals through current fundraising priorities and special fundraising initiatives.
• Develop prospect pipeline through programmatic and individualized approaches to identify, qualifying, developing and moving individual prospect relationships.
• Develop and implement thoughtful, strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans for individual planned giving prospects and donors to move these prospects through the donor cycle.
• Maintain an active portfolio by maintaining regular, effective contact with donors through various activities and communications, with an emphasis on face-to-face meetings.
• Identify, organize and direct the efforts of philanthropic volunteers as needed.
• Develop and implement joint major/planned giving opportunities in collaboration with colleagues from across the institution, leading to successful joint solicitations.
• Provide strategic oversight in creating tools for the Office of Philanthropy to increase awareness of, and participation in, planned giving; includes mailers and marketing material, annual recognition and/or community events and giving society management.
• Support and partner with fundraising colleagues in securing planned gifts by providing technical expertise, options and proposal language, and participating in prospect meetings as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of planned giving trends, opportunities and related legislation, and provide regular updates to colleagues.
• Develop ongoing opportunities to identify new planned giving prospects, and partner with frontline colleagues to ensure these prospects are actively qualified and engaged.
• Oversee the City of Hope legacy donor giving society.

Managing team of a Director of Planned Giving and a Coordinator with a focus on accountability, best practices and collaboration. The incumbent will demonstrate an ability to motivate staff toward adherence to key performance indicators and to maintain a productive culture. Includes:

• Oversee management of staff and act as mentor for all content and professional development areas. Includes serving as a resource in developing strategies, conducting ongoing conversations regarding performance in relation to metrics and articulating opportunities for employees’ growth and professional development in a thoughtful manner.
• Provide leadership throughout employees’ tenure, from interviewing and making thoughtful hiring decisions, and providing foundational onboarding to new employees, to ensuring high employee retention within the Office of Philanthropy.
• Responsible for team oversight and ensuring a positive working relationship between other City of Hope Departments and employees. Position includes direct oversight of two employees.
• Provide guidance and feedback to Director of Development, Planned Giving in the development of a national planned giving strategy and geographically-broadened portfolio.
• Provide guidance and feedback to Director of Development, Planned Giving, with respect to planned giving donor society members.
• Responsible for meeting established performance goals for team.

Serve as a role model for the Office of Philanthropy. Includes:

• Act as spokesperson for City of Hope activities as requested.
• Participate in search committees, task forces and other special projects.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with City of Hope faculty and staff to support fundraising initiatives for COH priorities.
• Demonstrate an ability to solve problems, overcome hurdles and navigate sensitive issues with discretion, tact and strong communication skills.
• Possess thorough knowledge of the key fund-raising priorities for COH.

Follows established City of Hope and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Basic education, experience and skills required for consideration:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s in business, philanthropy or related field. Experience may substitute for Planned Giving requirements.
• 7+ years in fund raising, development, or related field in non-profit environment. Experience in a complex medical or academic development setting encouraged. Demonstrated understanding of social media outlets such as Linked In, Twitter and Facebook required
• Minimum 3-5 years supervisory experience required.

Preferred education experience and skills:

• Experience with high production value events is desirable. Candidate must easily be able to navigate a wide variety of business and social settings and enjoy taking the message of City of Hope to individuals and organizations that are not yet familiar with its work.

Additional Information:

• As a condition of employment, City of Hope requires staff to comply with all state and federal vaccination mandates.