Vice President for Donor Relations

Hoag Hospital Foundation (HHF), the philanthropic arm of one of the top-ranked hospitals in California and the highest-ranked hospital in Orange County, seeks a visionary and talented vice president for donor relations (VP) to lead a high-performing donor recognition and stewardship program to even greater success. This position becomes available during a momentous time following significant investment in and growth of both Hoag Hospital (Hoag) and HFF; the dramatic increase in philanthropic support to HHF over the past decade has contributed to further and reaffirm Hoag as a leader on the forefront of advanced care. As the Foundation prepares for a groundbreaking comprehensive campaign for which excellence in donor recognition and stewardship will be essential, the VP will expertly oversee a critical function of the development operation to realize the Foundation’s ambitious goals and aspirations in order to advance Hoag’s mission and impact. 

Reporting to Danna Grant, senior vice president, advancement (SVP), and working closely with HHF President Dr. Flynn Andrizzi, the VP is responsible for the vision, strategy, and successful leadership of HHF’s donor relations program, which includes communications; stewardship and special events; and the Benefactor Program, a unique concierge service to honor and show appreciation for Hoag’s most generous supporters. The VP will help advance Hoag’s fundraising efforts and continuously promote a donor-centric approach to further engage its supporters at all giving levels. This individual will also introduce strategies around innovative, personalized stewardship, especially for Hoag’s highest-level donors. Working with key partners within HHF and across Hoag, the VP will further integrate the donor relations program across HHF; provide regular and consistent communications with donors on the use and impact of their gifts; lead and mentor a team of 19 dedicated staff members, of which five are direct reports; and deploy existing best practices while simultaneously introducing new and innovative ways to foster even deeper relationships between Hoag and its constituents, both internal and external. 

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned, sophisticated, and experienced team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, and advocating for a talented staff, and facilitating team success. Successful candidates will possess superior communications skills with the ability to formulate effective messaging for a variety of audiences. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as a proven ability to think strategically, critically, and creatively are required. The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated track record of leading a proactive, integrated, and service-oriented donor relations program in a large, complex, and fast-paced environment. This position offers an outstanding opportunity for an inventive leader to showcase excellent collaboration, leadership, and project management skills while demonstrating consistent professional judgment and possessing a high degree of emotional intelligence. This individual must embrace contributing to and working in a culture that is dedicated to excellence and upholds industry best practices. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Nicole Poe and Megan Gorman.


Hoag Hospital Foundation does not discriminate in its employment policies and practices on the basis of factors such as race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Hoag complies with federal and state legislation and regulations regarding non-discrimination.