Director of Major Gifts; East

Director of Major Gifts (East)

Position Summary

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is seeking a Director of Major Gifts (East). Reporting to the VP, Head of Major Gifts, the role leads a team of frontline fundraisers in the Eastern region, mentors and supports them to exceed fundraising goals, and stewards a portfolio of major gift donors. The director also drives the foundation’s major gifts strategy, collaborates with cross‑functional partners, and fosters a high‑performing culture of accountability, growth, and donor excellence.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, proven success in major gift fundraising, and the ability to execute bold multi‑year strategies.

Location:

Hybrid‑flex; candidates may work out of the Foundation’s New York City office or remotely within the Eastern United States.

• Lead, support, and mentor a team of frontline fundraisers, providing coaching, goal setting, and feedback to promote growth and success.
• Foster a high‑performance culture based on accountability, professional development, and shared achievement.
• Partner with the VP to identify skill‑building opportunities and strengthen fundraising capabilities.
• Provide advanced coaching on solicitation strategy, multi‑year asks, and donor engagement planning.
• Model and cultivate a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and proactive donor engagement.
• Execute the Foundation’s major gifts strategy in assigned regions, ensuring alignment with overall goals.
• Support the VP in setting annual revenue targets, monitoring progress, and implementing course corrections.
• Guide team members in developing tailored donor engagement plans and securing multi‑year commitments.
• Co‑develop long‑term regional fundraising strategies that identify growth opportunities and high‑impact donor engagement.
• Partner closely with the VP and regional fundraisers to shape regional approaches and drive alignment with the Foundation’s multi‑year fundraising goal.

• Manage a portfolio of mid‑ to high‑level major donors, leading personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Navigate complex donor conversations, including high‑level, multi‑year solicitations.
• Engage directly with top prospects as needed, modeling best‑in‑class fundraising technique.
• Serve as a trusted partner and Foundation ambassador, communicating the mission, impact, and priorities.
• Collaborate with Development to ensure seamless donor experiences and accurate CRM tracking.

• Support team budget management and efficient resource deployment.
• Partner with stakeholders to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns.
• Drive data‑informed decision making through accurate revenue tracking and reporting.
• Implement disciplined pipeline management and strategic use of CRM data for forecasting.
• Promote best practices in strategic fundraising planning, portfolio management, and internal communication.

• Act as liaison between the Major Gifts team and other Development teams to coordinate donor engagement.
• Represent Major Gifts in cross‑departmental meetings, sharing insights and best practices.
• Serve as a key thought partner to the VP, contributing to team‑wide discussions and long‑term planning.
• Foster strong cross‑functional relationships and unify regional strategies toward multi‑year goals.

• Front‑line major gift fundraising experience, consistently securing multiple six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.
• Experience managing and developing fundraisers, shaping culture, and partnering strategically with leadership.
• Ability to execute major gifts strategy aligned with organizational goals and drive sustained revenue growth.
• Extensive experience conducting high‑quality donor visits for engagement, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Skilled communicator capable of translating complex concepts for donors and coaching others.
• Highly organized and proactive, managing shifting priorities and guiding team members.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data reporting; working knowledge of Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Willingness to travel…