VP, Head of Major Gifts

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 250 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its VP, Head of Major Gifts position. This position is instrumental in shaping and executing the Foundation's Major Gift fundraising strategy. As an inspiring leader, this position manages direct reports and their regional teams, leading a group of skilled frontline fundraisers. This role focuses on nurturing the team’s professional growth, empowering them to meet and exceed fundraising targets. In addition, this role is responsible for stewarding a select portfolio of major gift donors, collaborating closely with colleagues across the Development department and the broader Foundation to ensure alignment and drive collective success. This position is responsible for cultivating a high-performing, supportive and collaborative team culture, grounded in strong leadership, transparent communication and a commitment to fundraising excellence.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the major gift fundraising strategy for the Major Gifts team program, setting the vision for revenue growth and ensuring alignment with the Foundation's broader objectives
• Set the agenda for the program’s revenue growth and partner with the Fundraising Strategy and Operations (FSO) and Marketing and Communications teams to develop and implement an annual communication plan to engage and solicit donors
• Partner with the Development team program leads and department heads to ensure a unified strategy for engaging and soliciting donors across all revenue lines
• Lead the hiring, motivation and retention of a talented Major Gifts team, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and meet fundraising goals
• Support the professional growth and development of Major Gifts team members, helping them set and achieve their career goals at the Foundation
• Collaborate with the Individual Giving department head to manage the team budget and ensure effective resource allocation
• Manage a small portfolio of roughly 25 Major Gift donors who contribute six-figure gifts or more annually, focusing on deepening relationships and securing ongoing support
• Serve as a key spokesperson and senior frontline fundraiser for the Foundation, articulating a compelling case for support with a focus on leadership/major gifts
• Build strong and lasting relationships with donors through multiple points of contact, ensuring regular and meaningful engagement
• Lead by example, empowering the team to strengthen the Foundation’s presence through fundraising and community engagement efforts within their assigned territories
• Promote a positive, collaborative working environment by demonstrating a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude and actively supporting your team’s efforts
• Perform behind-the-scenes activities, including high-end stewardship and solicitation mailings, revenue tracking, donor and prospect record updates and maintaining action items in CRM
• Identify and compile timely, relevant updates and articles of interest to share with key constituents to enhance donor relationships
• Travel approximately 15% of the year, with occasional weekend travel, to ensure strategic engagement with donors and prospects in key territories. Travel cadence varies based on the season and strategic impact

Qualifications and Skills:

• Proven repeated success as a front-line major gift fundraiser, having independently secured multiple six- and seven-figure gifts
• Proven experience planning and leading the fundraising strategy for a major gifts team, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving revenue growth
• Expertise in securing and conducting personal, face-to-face visits to engage, solicit and steward major donors and prospects, building deep, long-term relationships
• Demonstrated success in managing a strong team of front-line fundraisers who consistently meet revenue goals and collaborate effectively across teams
• Proven experience in supporting direct reports in their professional development, helping them set and achieve their growth goals while fostering leadership skills
• A proven ability to digest complex material and present it in an empathetic and compelling manner, with the ability to communicate science and business models to donors proficiently. Ability to teach and mentor others to do the same
• Proactive and highly organized, with the ability to independently prioritize competing needs and guide a team of front-line fundraisers in managing priorities effectively
• Proven experience in managing shifting priorities while working to build and strengthen the Foundation’s impact, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, with strong proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and communication
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed to meet strategic donor engagement goals
• Familiarity with Salesforce CRM or equivalent software to manage donor relationships and track fundraising activities effectively
• Must have a valid Driver’s License

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $170,000 - $190,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
• Competitive dental and vision plans
• 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employer paid life and disability insurance
• 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
• Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work.  We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done. 

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events. 

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.