Director of Major Gifts (East)
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Job Title: Director of Major Gifts (East)
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ("the Foundation") is seeking top talent for its Director of Major Gifts (East) position. Reporting to the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this position plays a key role in advancing the Foundation’s major gifts strategy and supporting the overall goals of the Major Gifts team. This role is designed to empower frontline fundraisers by providing strategic partnership, thought leadership, and structured management so they can focus more deeply on high-impact donor engagement. This position leads a team of frontline fundraisers in their assigned territory providing guidance, coaching, and support to help them achieve and exceed fundraising goals. In addition, this role also stewards a select portfolio of major gift donors, collaborating closely with colleagues across Development and the broader Foundation to ensure coordinated and effective engagement of supporters. This position fosters a high-performing, collaborative team culture rooted in shared accountability, professional growth, and a commitment to excellence in donor relationships and fundraising outcomes. In partnership with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this leader works closely with fundraisers, ensuring clarity, alignment, and the support needed to drive exceptional donor engagement.
The successful candidate will bring a strong leadership presence, demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, and proven ability to drive bold multi-year strategies.
This position may be hybrid-flex with the opportunity to work out of the Foundation’s office in New York City or based remotely within the Eastern region of the United States.
Key Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, support, and mentor a team of frontline fundraisers responsible for cultivating and soliciting major gifts, providing regular coaching, goal setting, and feedback that promotes growth, confidence, and long-term success
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and shared success
- Partner with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, to identify skill-building opportunities and strengthen team fundraising capabilities
- Provide advanced coaching on solicitation strategy, multi-year asks, and donor engagement planning, collaborating with staff to build on their existing strengths and expand their capacity for ambitious fundraising
- Model and cultivate a team culture rooted in excellence, continuous learning, and proactive and meaningful donor engagement
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
- Execute the Foundation’s major gifts strategy within assigned regions, ensuring alignment with overall goals for the Development business unit
- Support the VP in setting annual revenue targets, monitoring progress, and implementing course corrections as needed
- Guide team members in developing tailored donor engagement plans to deepen relationships and secure multi-year commitments
- Co-develop long-term regional fundraising strategies in partnership with frontline fundraisers that proactively identify growth opportunities and high-impact donor engagement
- Partner closely with the VP and regional fundraisers to shape regional approaches, contribute to enterprise-wide planning, and drive alignment with the Foundation’s multi-year fundraising goal
Donor Relationship Management
- Manage a portfolio of mid- to high-level major donors, leading personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities
- Demonstrate exceptional presence and skill in navigating complex donor conversations, including high-level, multi-year solicitations
- Engage directly with top prospects as needed, modeling best-in-class fundraising technique and reinforcing a culture of external relationship development
- Serve as a trusted partner and Foundation ambassador, effectively communicating the Foundation’s mission, impact, and funding priorities
- Collaborate across Development to ensure seamless donor experiences and accurate CRM tracking
Operational Oversight
- Support team budget management, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to meet fundraising objectives
- Partner with internal stakeholders to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns
- Contribute to data-informed decision-making through accurate revenue tracking and reporting
- Ensure disciplined pipeline management and strategic use of CRM data to drive proactive donor engagement and forecasting
- Promote consistent adoption of best practices in strategic fundraising planning, portfolio management, and effective internal communication
Collaboration & Organizational Alignment
- Act as a liaison between the Major Gifts team and other Development teams to ensure coordinated donor engagement across revenue lines
- Represent the Major Gifts team in cross-departmental meetings, sharing insights and best practices
- Serve as a key thought partner to the VP, contributing to team-wide leadership discussions, decision-making, and long-term planning
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships and help unify regional strategies in service of multi-year goals
Qualifications & Skills:
- Relevant experience as a front-line major gift fundraiser, consistently securing multiple six- and seven-figure gifts; experience with large campaigns a plus
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing front-line fundraisers, shaping team culture, and partnering strategically with leadership
- Demonstrated ability to execute major gifts strategy, align work to organizational goals, and drive sustained revenue growth
- Extensive experience conducting high-quality donor visits to engage, solicit, and steward prospects, building long-term relationships
- Skilled communicator able to translate complex scientific and business concepts for donors and coach others to do the same
- Highly organized and proactive, able to manage shifting priorities and guide team members in doing so
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and data reporting; working knowledge of Salesforce or similar CRM systems
- Ability to travel regularly (including occasional weekends) to engage donors across key territories
- Must have a valid Driver’s License
Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws. In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
- Competitive dental and vision plans
- 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employer paid life and disability insurance
- 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
- Flexible work environment. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.
Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.
Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.
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