Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships
Reports to: VP of Strategic Partnerships
Status: Salaried, Exempt
Location: Seattle, WA or Remote Home Office
Role Summary:
The Director of Strategic Partnerships will lead the strategy and execution of The Max Foundation's Major Gifts program. This individual will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-value individual donors and prospects to sustain and expand The Max Foundation's mission of accelerating global health equity.
This is a relationship-driven role for an advancement professional who combines strategic vision with strong frontline fundraising expertise. Working closely with the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, the Director will develop and manage a robust pipeline of major gift prospects while building the systems, strategies, and culture necessary to significantly increase Major Gifts revenue and long-term donor engagement.
Responsibilities:
Major Gifts Strategy and Revenue Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive Major Gifts strategy aligned with organizational priorities and revenue goals
- Establish and manage annual and multi-year revenue targets and performance metrics.
- Build and oversee a strong donor pipeline through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Implement disciplined portfolio and moves management practices to maximize donor engagement and giving outcomes
- Develop strategies to increase donor retention, upgrade giving levels, and secure larger, multi-year commitments
- Monitor pipeline health, forecast revenue, and report progress against fundraising goals
Leadership and Cross-Functional Partnerships
- Serve as a strategic fundraising partner to the CEO, VP of Strategic Partnerships, Board members, and senior leadership
- Partner cross-functionally across stakeholders to translate organizational impact into compelling philanthropic opportunities and donor communications
- Prepare and support organizational leaders and Board members for donor meetings, cultivation activities, and solicitations
- Foster a culture in which fundraising is viewed as a shared organizational responsibility
- Collaborate across the Strategic Partnerships team to ensure coordinated donor engagement and stewardship
Board Engagement and Relationship Development
- Partner with the VP and Board members to advance fundraising and strategic engagement priorities
- Leverage Board networks to identify and cultivate relationships with prospective donors and strategic stakeholders
- Prepare Board-facing fundraising updates, briefing materials, and information on engagement opportunities
- Support Board members in serving as effective ambassadors through outreach, stewardship, and relationship management
- Track and coordinate Board-driven opportunities and outcomes to strengthen fundraising and organizational visibility
External Relations and Representation
- Represent The Max Foundation at key global health, philanthropy, and stakeholder engagement events
- Develop and strengthen relationships with philanthropic collaboratives, family foundations, and strategic partners
- Help position the organization as a globally recognized leader in expanding equitable access to cancer treatment and care
- Partner with Communications to identify opportunities for leadership visibility through speaking engagements, publications, and external forums
- Leverage organizational impact, evidence, and success stories to strengthen partnerships, influence, and fundraising outcomes
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or relevant certification in a related field preferred
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, business development, strategic partnerships, or related fields, preferably within global health, international development, or other mission-driven organizations
- Demonstrated success securing and stewarding major gifts, including experience cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families, and philanthropic partners; experience securing six-figure gifts required, with gifts of $500,000+ strongly preferred
- Proven experience building, leading, or significantly expanding a Major Gifts program, including developing and managing donor pipelines from identification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship
- Strong ability to partner with CEOs, Board members, senior leaders, and other influential stakeholders to advance fundraising and organizational objectives
- Demonstrated success in investor relationship building, communication, presentation, and interpersonal engagement, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and inspire philanthropic investment
- Strategic and analytical mindset with experience using data, donor insights, and CRM systems to manage portfolios, forecast revenue, prioritize opportunities, and inform decision-making
- Demonstrated success managing complex projects and initiatives, exercising sound judgment, discretion, organization, and follow-through in a fast-paced environment
- Experience working in global, multicultural environments across time zones; familiarity with global health, cancer, health equity, or international nonprofit sectors preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor management systems; additional language skills, experience with family offices or donor-advised funds, and experience mentoring fundraising professionals strongly preferred
Skills and Attributes:
- Passionate about The Max Foundation's mission and vision, and determined to lead and accomplish all goals related to current and future strategic plans
- An open, innovative, growth mindset with the ability to visualize and implement novel revenue models in alignment with the organization's innovative approach
- High attention to detail and a high standard for quality work product
- Deep understanding of and comfortable in a global environment, with an emphasis on low and middle-income countries
- Passion for exceptional collaboration and flexibility to elevate positive culture
- Comfort working in a complex and fast-paced environment
- Caring, humble, and people-oriented servant leader
- Team-oriented, with the ability to listen and to engage internal and external stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives
- Resourceful, decisive, and comfortable with ambiguity with the ability to drive solutions using available data and insights to overcome challenges impacting the organization
Benefits Summary:
- Employer-sponsored benefits include:
- 100% medical, dental, and vision premium coverage for employees; 50% premium coverage for spouse and/or dependents
- Annual vacation accrual 80 hours (increases over time), personal time accrual of 104 hours, 12 paid company holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year
- $10,000 Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage; Short-term disability insurance
- Additional benefits include:
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Optional employee covered Long Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Eligibility for our Safe Harbor 401k plan participation after 3 months of employment, including Max-paid 3% non-elective contribution regardless of participation
- Monthly wellness benefit (earn up to $70/month), Costco membership, and WFH/Commuter Stipend ($1,800/year)
Compensation: Typical hiring range for this role is $134,475 - $161,370 USD. Offers will factor in relevant candidate qualifications, cost of labor, pay equity, and geographical location. No relocation provided; remote location possible.
To Apply: Visit our website at https://www.themaxfoundation.org/careers to apply. Please include résumé and cover letter.
