St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Executive Advisor - Transformational Gifts (Memphis, TN or Remote in USA)

Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years relevant experience in high-value philanthropy, particularly in healthcare or mission-driven settings.
  • Proven success in closing or advising on philanthropic gifts of $10M+ (8- and 9-figure gifts).
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • Strong coaching skills with ability to empower others while respecting their leadership style.
  • Ability to articulate complex research and clinical innovations into donor-focused opportunities.
  • High emotional intelligence for effective collaboration and influence without authority.
  • Willingness to travel nationally, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of high-value donors to exceed fundraising goals.
  • Collaborate on strategies for engaging prospects capable of transformational gifts.
  • Provide consulting support to relationship managers across the organization.
  • Prepare and coach executives for critical donor engagements.
  • Plan and execute high-impact engagement opportunities for advisory boards and councils.
  • Co-create proposals that align donor vision with organizational impact.
  • Lead and develop compelling campaigns and strategies for major philanthropic initiatives.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401K plan with a generous 7% employer contribution.
  • Exceptional paid time off policies.
  • Maternity and paternity leave available.
  • Infertility treatment support.
  • Adoption assistance program.
  • Education assistance for professional growth.
  • Access to enterprise learning and development opportunities.
Full Job Description
Job Description

At the intersection of generosity and healthcare innovation, the Executive Advisor, Transformational Gifts plays a critical leadership role in advancing our most ambitious philanthropic goals. This is not a traditional frontline fundraising role, although the Executive Advisor manages a portfolio of donors. It is a strategic, highly collaborative position focused on activating relationships with ultra-wealth net worth individuals/families, empowering leaders and aligning donor passions with institutional vision at the $10M+ giving level. As a trusted partner to executive leadership, professional advisors and relationship managers at all levels, this individual will help cultivate, shape solicit and steward some of the most significant giving opportunities in our organization's history.

Essential Job Duties

1. Portfolio management: Responsible for driving revenue through the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship of 10M+ gifts, meeting or exceeding established goals.
2. Transformational Gift Strategy: Partner with internal teams to design, refine, and drive strategies for engaging individuals, families and foundations with the capacity and intent to make transformational gifts ($10M+), ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and impact goals. Success in this role will be measured by progressive metrics - including influence on donor strategy, movement toward transformational investment, depth of engagement, activation of internal leaders and revenue targets - reflecting the complexity and long-term nature of transformational philanthropy.

3. Consulting and Capacity Building: Provide strategic internal consulting to relationship managers from across the organization - regardless of title or department - who are connected to transformational prospects. This includes preparation for donor conversations, gift strategy and development, long-term relationship building and solicitation.

4. Executive Engagement: Collaborate with the SVP - Transformational Giving, C-Suite executives, and clinical or operational leadership from the hospital on high-stakes donor cultivation steps as needed. Help prepare and coach them for pivotal donor meetings, events and stewardship activities.

5. High Value Volunteer Engagement: Serve in support of advisory boards and councils. Plan meaningful engagement opportunities for virtual and on campus experiences that deepen their connection to the mission and demonstrates impact. When possible, leverage their networks thoughtfully and strategically to identify and cultivate new transformational relationships, supporting peer to peer influence and expanding the pipeline of $10M+ prospects.

6. Narrative & Case Co-Creation: Work cross-functionally to co-create custom proposals and transformational investment opportunities that reflect the donor's vision, values, and desired legacy - while advancing our mission in measurable, meaningful ways. 7. Strategic Initiatives & Campaign Leadership: Play a key role in the development and execution of high-profile philanthropic initiatives, including milestone institutional anniversaries, enterprise-wide campaigns, and research-focused funding priorities. Collaborate across departments to shape compelling campaign strategies and donor experiences that align with transformational giving principles. Serve as a thought partner in designing customized approaches for complex, time-bound opportunities that inspire significant investment and long-term commitment.

Job Requirements
  • 10+ years' relevant work experience and proven experience in closing and/or advising on 8- and 9- figure philanthropic conversations, ideally in healthcare, higher education, or a complex mission-driven institution.
  • Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
  • Natural coach and facilitator, able to build confidence and skill in others while honoring their authentic leadership style.
  • Ability to understand and translate a wide range of in-depth research initiatives and clinical care innovations into compelling, donor centered opportunities.
  • Comfortable working in highly matrixed environments, influencing without formal authority.
  • Exceptional emotional intelligence and ability to hold high-trust, high-impact conversations with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Involves extensive travel, willingness and flexibility to travel nationally, including evenings and weekends.


Benefits & Perks
The following Benefits & Perks apply toFull-Time Roles Only
We're dedicated to ensuring children and their families have every opportunity to enjoy life's special moments. We're also committed to giving our staff excellent benefits so they can do the same.

  • Core Medical Coverage: (low cost low deductible Medical, Dental, and Vison Insurance plans)
  • 401K Retirement Plan with 7% Employer Contribution
  • Exceptional Paid Time Off
  • Maternity / Paternity Leave
  • Infertility Treatment Program
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Education Assistance
  • Enterprise Learning and Development
  • And more


About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. The hospital was founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas and is located in Memphis, Tennessee. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. The hospital has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world. St. Jude is known for its groundbreaking research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Learn more about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Size
4,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1962

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