Senior Director of Philanthropy

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Undue Medical Debt

Senior Director, Philanthropy

Long Island City, NY (Hybrid – 3 days/week in office), open to remote.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Undue Medical Debt’s (formerly RIP Medical Debt) mission is to end medical debt and be a source of justice in an unjust healthcare finance system; a unique solution for patient-centered healthcare providers; and a moral force for systemic change. In 2024, they marked their 10th anniversary, having successfully eliminated over $13 billion in medical debts, providing crucial financial relief for more than 8.5 million individuals and families. Recently featured on NPR, the organization proudly received transformative gifts from Mackenzie Scott, a historic grant from New York City, and recognition from many other notable campaigns.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy and working in close partnership with colleagues across Undue, the Senior Director of Philanthropy will play a critical role in leading and growing Undue’s fundraising program. This position is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with high-net-worth individuals, securing significant financial support ($25,000+) to advance the organization's mission. The Senior Director will also lead and mentor a team of fundraising professionals, ensuring their success in achieving individual and team goals. Remote will be considered and travel is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Drive Major Fundraising Initiatives

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and foundations with the potential to make significant gifts to Undue Medical Debt.
• Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects.
• Secure transformative gifts ($25,000+) from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Manage the full cycle of major gifts fundraising, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and reporting.
• Draft proposals and reports for special campaigns, appeals, partnerships, and donors as needed.
• Conduct 5-10 donor visits each month.
• Track and analyze key metrics related to fundraising and donor engagement, preparing regular progress and impact reports.

Strengthen Donor Relationships and Stewardship

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors through personalized communication, high-level engagement, and exceptional donor experiences.
• Ensure that all donor interactions are conducted with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
• Develop and update supportive materials for engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship purposes.
• Plan and execute donor recognition events and activities.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Oversee and mentor a team of 2-3 fundraising professionals, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Set clear performance goals for team members and monitor progress toward those goals.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment by providing regular feedback and coaching.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization, including philanthropy, communications, public policy, and finance teams.
• Partner with members of the Philanthropy team to cultivate and steward donors.

Strategic Fundraising Planning and Development

• Support the VP, Philanthropy by contributing to the development and implementation of the overall fundraising strategy for Undue Medical Debt.
• Strategize with senior leadership and Philanthropy colleagues to build and manage a network of relationships with prospective donors.
• Collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy to develop annual fundraising goals, mid-year revisions, year-end evaluations, and other revenue and activity reporting as requested.
• Work with Undue staff, Philanthropy teammates, and key stakeholders to identify funding priorities and potential prospects.

Fostering Mission-Driven Excellence & Engagement

• Maintain knowledge of best fundraising practices, donor cultivation strategies, and current philanthropic trends and resources.
• Represent Undue Medical Debt at industry events and conferences.
• Develop a keen understanding of Undue Medical Debt’s work, including program areas, services, and issues related to medical debt relief.
• Contribute to fostering an ethical, positive, and results-oriented philanthropic culture founded on transparent communication.

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will be a savvy, entrepreneurial, and dynamic corporate fundraiser. Key qualifications for this role are:

Experience & Leadership:

• 5+ years of direct frontline major gift experience with a proven track record of securing gifts.
• 3+ years managing and mentoring fundraising professionals.
• Strong background in nonprofit management, donor relations, or development-related areas (e.g., institutional giving, fundraising, alumni relations, marketing).

Skills & Expertise:

• Deep understanding of high-net-worth individuals and their philanthropic motivations.
• Proficient in fundraising CRMs (e.g., Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge) and related tools (e.g., iWave/Kindsight).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities.
• Meticulous project management, multitasking, and time management skills.

Attributes & Work Style:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented; able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Collaborative, innovative, and comfortable in external-facing roles.
• Passionate about Undue Medical Debt’s mission and committed to learning about healthcare inequities.
• Adaptable, flexible, and thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments.
• Demonstrates humility, initiative, and a strong work ethic.

Other Requirements:

• Ability and willingness to travel, with an expectation of approximately 30% travel for this role.
• Ability to work in a transparent, feedback-oriented team environment.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: The salary range for this role is $135,000 - $165,000 commensurate with experience. Please note that the final offer will depend on the candidate’s location, in alignment with the organization’s geographic salary guidelines. Undue Medical Debt provides a suite of competitive benefits including 4 weeks of PTO, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance paid, life insurance, 403(b) with employer matching, and much more.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter AND resume here.

Undue Medical Debt is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Undue Medical Debt makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.