Executive Advisor - Transformational Gifts (Memphis, TN or Remote in USA)
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.
- 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
ALSAC is an equal employment opportunity employer.
ALSAC does not discriminate against any individual with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.
No Search Firms:
ALSAC does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All resumes submitted by search firms to any ALSAC employee or ALSAC representative via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without being contacted and approved by our Employee Experience team and without a valid written search agreement in place will result in no fee being paid if a referred candidate is hired by ALSAC.
Skills Required
- 10+ years relevant work experience in philanthropy or fundraising
- Proven experience in closing 8- and 9-figure philanthropic conversations
- Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred
- Comfortable working in highly matrixed environments
- Exceptional emotional intelligence and communication skills
What We Do
ALSAC is the largest healthcare-related charity in the United States. Founded in 1957 by Danny Thomas, our sole mission is to raise the funds and awareness needed to operate and maintain St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. While our headquarters can be found in Memphis, Tennessee, we have additional offices in more than 30 locations across the country and in Puerto Rico with positions in fundraising, marketing, digital, information technology, legal, finance and many other disciplines all supporting our lifesaving mission - Finding cures. Saving children. ® At ALSAC, we believe in hiring the best and brightest from around the globe, and in 2020 we were named #1 on Fast Company's 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators. With a concerted focus on diversity and inclusion, we value and respect the contributions of all of our employees. Our work environment encourages everyone to be their authentic selves as we strive together towards a day when “no child dies in the dawn of life.” As we look to the future, we understand that we must be relentlessly innovative. Our work helps fuel the groundbreaking research and treatment at St. Jude and ensures that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. View our career opportunities at https://www.stjude.org/jobs/alsac.html and follow ALSAC across social media using @stjude. To learn more about the research hospital, follow St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on LinkedIn. For specific career opportunities available through the hospital, visit www.stjude.org/JoinOurMission.







