Director of Philanthropy

Department: Administrative
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Direct Reports: None
Safety Sensitive Position
OSHA Risk Category: 2

Job Summary/Scope

The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for leading and executing comprehensive fundraising initiatives to support the foundation’s mission. This role oversees all aspects of philanthropy, including supporter cultivation, corporate partnerships, grant acquisition, and event-based fundraising. The Director of Philanthropy will collaborate with Foundation leadership, board members, advisory council members, Southern Legacy of Life (SLL) leadership, and community stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and expand philanthropic engagement. Duties include but are not limited to: developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans, fostering supporter relationships, securing gifts and sponsorships, overseeing fundraising events, managing grant opportunities, and ensuring alignment with the Foundation and SLL’s branding and communication strategies.

Essential Functions

1. Lead and conduct public speaking engagements to promote the Foundation’s and SLL’s mission and fundraising goals.

2. Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, that leverages grants, corporate sponsorships, gifts, and annual    giving campaigns.

3. Build and maintain relationships with supporters, corporate partners, and philanthropic organizations to secure funding.

4. Represent the Foundation and SLL at external philanthropic and nonprofit networking events

5. Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of fundraising events, including galas, remembrance events, and annual giving campaigns.

6. Identify grant opportunities, write proposals, and ensure compliance with grant funding requirements.

7. Work closely with the foundation’s board of directors and advisory council to support fundraising initiatives and leverage their networks for philanthropic engagement.

8. Collaborate with the SLL teams to align fundraising messaging with the foundation’s mission and SLL’s mission to ensure consistency in donor outreach.

9. Monitor fundraising budgets, track fundraising performance, and provide regular reports to Foundation and SLL leadership on progress and impact.

10. Develop donor recognition programs and legacy giving initiatives to encourage long-term philanthropic engagement.

11. Follow and enforce systems, including Standard Operating Procedures.

12. Respond and assist with the crisis communication plans as necessary.

a.     Requires 24-hour availability during high-profile situations.

Secondary Functions

1. Support third-party fundraising initiatives and community-driven campaigns.

2. Maintain Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to track contributions, donor engagement, and funding trends.

Management Essential Functions

1. Member of the Leadership Team participating in the development of tactics to implement strategic goals.

a. Ensures implementation of strategic goals as they relate to the department.

2. Responsible for assisting with or creating the annual budget and monitoring expenses for your area of responsibility.

a. Collaborates with Director of Finance regarding departmental fiscal responsibility.

b. Ensures staff documentation completion and accuracy.

3. Responsible for oversight, compliance, and monitoring of contractual agreements under area of responsibility.

a. Authorized to negotiate contractual terms and request competitive quotes in accordance with financial policies on behalf of the organization.

4. Develops, tracks, and reports Key Performance Indicators (KPI), departmental Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) goals and monthly statistics utilizing techniques to test improvement efforts.

a. Presents CQI departmental goals to CQI committee.

5. Promotion of staff engagement including wellness initiatives.

6. Presents departmental reports to Director’s Group, Leadership Team and/or Board of Directors, as required.

7. Expected to serve as spokesperson at public events as it relates to your area of responsibility.

8. Collaborate with the Quality Systems Department to ensure policies and practices follow Standard Operating Procedures and are in compliance with accreditation, certification and regulatory agencies.

a. Responsible for writing, revising, editing and proofreading job descriptions, SOPs, and related departmental documents.

9. Responsible for cooperative management with other managers at SLL to ensure that tasks and responsibilities of direct reports are completed timely and efficiently.

10. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, orientation, counseling, discipline, and separation of direct report(s).

a. Conducts annual evaluations, monitors professional development and annual competencies for direct report(s).

11. With the approval of CEO serves on national committees.

Organizational Expectations

1. Maintains regular and punctual attendance at assigned work location.

a. Accurately document timekeeping records.

2. Completes and maintains appropriate documentation in a timely and thorough manner including activities.  Examples include training documentation, mileage, expenses, electronic schedule of SLL events, and other forms.

a. Proofs work for accuracy and completeness.

3. Exhibits and models SLL’s conduct standards, mission, and organizational clarity (core purpose, core values, business definition, and strategic anchors) in all job functions and interactions both internal and external to SLL.

a. Utilize the SLL strategic anchors: Creating a Culture of Donation, Financially Sound Quality, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) during work activities and in the decision-making process.

4. Attendance at staff meetings, training programs, and/or in-services meetings, as required.

5. Demonstrates professional appearance, behavior and standards in all business dealings and interactions.

6. Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior reflective of SLL’s respect, honor, admiration and reverence for the donor and donor family.

7. Fosters effective relationships with client representatives.

8. With the approval of the division Director, serves on national committees.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Potential Risk Factors:

1. Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids: While performing some essential functions of your position, you may be exposed to blood or body fluids.  Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective measures that you should use when performing essential functions of your position.  The SLL Safety program will provide you with the appropriate procedures and guidelines in which you should perform the essential duties of your job.  If you need additional training or resources, please see your supervisor or the SLL Safety Officer.

2. Physical Requirements: see Analysis of work demands section of this job description.

3. Competency Evaluation: Competency evaluations are required for this position.  Your supervisor will notify you when your evaluation is to be conducted.

4. Training: You may need additional training to better understand the performance requirements of your essential job functions.  Training classes are available and can be requested and/or assigned.  Your attendance at such classes is mandatory.

Work Environment

1. Works in normal office environment.

2. Required to carry a cellular telephone for business purposes.

3. Occasional travel required by personal vehicle to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.

4. May require travel by commercial or chartered aircraft.

5. Non-smoking office.

Work Hours

Forty-hour workweek with occasional weekends, holidays, or evenings.

Minimum Job Requirements

1. B.A. Journalism/Marketing or related field.

2. Five (5) years’ experience in fundraising, strongly preferred.

3. Two (2) years of grant writing experience, preferred.

4. 5 years media and community relations, special events, and promotions, preferably with experience in health care setting and Four (4) years management experience.

5. Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and proof of automobile insurance

6. Consistent demonstration of attention to detail, precision, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

7. Possess strong prioritization skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks.

8. Ability to utilize general office equipment, software, and must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Security Requirements

This position is responsible for requesting, managing and storing confidential records and ensuring that information is protected, handled discretely and professionally, according to the recognized standards, regulations, and standards for maintaining patient, financial and employment records.