Associate Chief Development Officer, Major Gifts

Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation (HMHF or the foundation) – the fundraising arm of the number one hospital in Texas and a member of U.S. News & World Report’s prestigious Honor Roll for best hospitals – seeks a strategic and aspirational fundraising professional to serve as the associate chief development officer (ACDO). In this role, the ACDO will lead and direct the fundraising efforts of a dedicated and growing major gifts team, as well as select assigned constituent areas within the Houston Methodist system. The ACDO joins the foundation at an exciting moment of transformation and momentum as Houston Methodist prepares for a groundbreaking comprehensive campaign. The ACDO will support the ongoing development and implementation of fundraising best practices and moves management strategies, mentoring and motivating staff to realize and facilitate the foundation’s ambitious campaign goals and long-term philanthropic aspirations. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven fundraiser and manager of teams to contribute to the remarkable growth and impact of one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic centers.

Founded in 1919, Houston Methodist exists today as an independent academic medical center and market leader in Houston, the state of Texas, and beyond. The last 20 years have seen unprecedented growth for the institution. In addition to providing highest-end care that is unparalleled in terms of safety and quality, Houston Methodist also boasts robust teaching and research initiatives, which are further strengthened by affiliations with Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Texas A&M University, Rice University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, among others. As clinical care, education, and research continue to grow across Houston Methodist, philanthropy will fuel the institution’s remarkable trajectory of success in becoming one of the highest-ranking academic medical centers in the country.

Reporting to the chief development officer, Derek Dictson, early in his tenure, the ACDO is responsible for the strategy, leadership, and development of the foundation’s generalist major gifts program. With the opportunity to build and expand the team, the ACDO will partner closely with the CDO to determine optimal roles and structure, leveraging data and analysis to ensure effective preparedness for the upcoming campaign. With significant untapped philanthropic opportunity among Houston Methodist’s expanding constituent base, the ACDO will lead and drive a strong focus on the qualification of major gift donors, significantly developing deep and sustainable donor pools and pipelines. Furthermore, the ACDO will oversee and support service line liaison assignments and engage with clinical leadership, establishing collaborative partnerships, cultivating a culture of philanthropy, and supporting the development of service line campaign priorities. The ACDO will effectively collaborate with peers across the foundation, ensuring exceptional cross-team synergy, in particular with colleagues in planned giving and fundraisers supporting Houston Methodist’s Centers of Excellence. Leading by example, the ACDO will build, develop, and manage their own major gifts portfolio.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, enterprising, and strategic fundraiser with at least seven years of development experience and at least three years of management experience, preferably in a complex research university or academic medical center environment. The ACDO must possess demonstrated strength in leading significant discovery and cultivation of major gift donors, as well as personal success in solicitation and stewardship at this giving level, and must be proficient in leveraging data and systems to inform strategy. With the opportunity to build and expand the generalist major gifts team, experience in evaluating, hiring, and coaching talent is desirable. The ACDO must possess a keen understanding of fundraising best practices and demonstrate the credibility, maturity, and sophistication necessary to effectively engage with executive leaders and diverse groups of internal and external constituents. Critical to success will be the ACDO’s ability to reflect the I CARE values of the foundation, and to align deeply and authentically with Houston Methodist’s commitment to excellence in clinical care, education, and research.

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

Houston Methodist Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HMH will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist Hospital on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law.