Assistant Vice President, Individual Giving

Yale School of Medicine (YSM) is one of the world’s leading centers for biomedical research, advanced clinical care, and medical education. It ranks fourth among medical schools receiving funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and fourth in NIH dollars per faculty member. Led by Associate Vice President (VP) Meghan Fay, YSM Medical School Development and Alumni Affairs seeks a hands-on, results-oriented, and relationship-driven inaugural assistant vice president of individual giving (AVP) to provide strategic oversight and leadership for grateful patient fundraising at YSM. Leading a team of frontline fundraisers and reporting directly to Meghan Fay, the AVP will play a critical role in the growth and expansion of YSM’s grateful patient fundraising program, including developing and refining metrics. In addition, the AVP will serve as primary liaison and central resource between the YSM frontline team and other school, unit, and central fundraising teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and coordination in a complex matrixed environment that includes a separate health system. As a key member of the school of medicine development leadership team, the AVP will partner with the associate VP to set the strategic direction for YSM’s fundraising efforts, identifying needs and aligning them with gift opportunities. The AVP will be a critical member of the leadership team and also partner with key administrative offices across campus, including the Provost’s Office, on behalf of the school where appropriate and as needed.

The AVP will lead, mentor, and develop a team of development professionals and other staff in their fundraising work providing clear strategic direction and day-to-day guidance in support of their fundraising efforts. This leader will establish ambitious yet achievable fundraising goals, drive accountability through the effective use of performance metrics, and develop strategies to increase philanthropic revenue through a growing grateful patient program. The AVP will also spearhead efforts to identify, cultivate, and engage new donors, with particular emphasis on advancing strategic priority areas. In addition, the AVP will maintain and strengthen relationships with key volunteers, as appropriate, and will design and implement professional development strategies that enable staff to perform at the highest level. Through these efforts, the AVP will foster productive and enduring relationships between Yale’s prospects and donors and YSM leadership.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of development experience in a complex organization (preferably in academic medicine and/or research settings including a grateful patient experience background); strong managerial, strategic planning, and motivational skills; a track record of success growing fundraising programs and personally securing significant gifts; the desire and wherewithal to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships with all members of an operation across a university and a range of donors and constituents; and the exceptional interpersonal skills required to effectively engage key leaders and other members of the YSM and university community in the fundraising process. Essential qualifications include the expertise and credibility to serve as a senior advisor to faculty and staff, as well as the ability to navigate a highly complex organization. A bachelor’s degree and ten years of related work experience in an academic institution are required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Grace Zakim and Lisa Clayton.