Executive Director

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-fueled organization whose mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the quality of life for the children and adults affected by these diseases. Our work is dramatically accelerating the research process through our varied research initiatives; we also provide extensive educational and support resources for patients and their families, medical professionals, and the public. In addition, we lead federal and state-based advocacy campaigns to support medical research funding and improve patient access to care. The Foundation’s core values of compassion, integrity, leadership, collaboration, and inclusion inspire and drive every member of our highly performing team.

Position Summary:  

The Executive Director, based in our Greater San Diego & Desert Area Chapter, located in San Diego, California, is a front-line fundraising professional, primarily responsible for all individual and foundation gifts, as well as responsible for the professional leadership and staff management of the chapter. Professional leadership includes partnering with leadership volunteers to harness their passion and skills and to help maximize what they have to offer to advance the mission of the Foundation. The ED is responsible for individual and foundation gifts as well as event fundraising and other revenue and will cultivate partnerships and alliances that will promote growth and awareness in the community. The Executive Director travels throughout the market area to meet with constituents and serve as a key leader for the Foundation with volunteers and supporters. The Executive Director reports to the Regional Executive Director, and will work closely with regional staff and leadership to ensure alignment of strategies and to support collective fundraising goals across the entire region. 

This role is hybrid: 2 days/week in the Chapter office in La Jolla and 3 days/week remote.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities: 

Board/Volunteer Engagement 

• Build and execute a compelling vision for the chapter and collaborate with volunteer leaders and staff to achieve it, that ultimately drives revenue growth for the Foundation.
• Work with leadership volunteers to identify, recruit and engage volunteers who have potential to make an impact.
• Build strong and effective partnerships with volunteers and supporters (and help foster a culture of accountability).
• Advise and support chapter volunteer committees to drive success in campaigns and grow support for our mission.
• Serve as a key leader in your market area building relationships, raising awareness, and sharing mission impact with constituents.

Fundraising

• Responsible for identifying local major gift prospects and for collaborating with national major gift team in securing individual and foundation major gifts
• Collaboration, cultivation, identification, and recruitment of major revenue partners to maximize impact on special events and other fundraising campaigns.
• Collaborate with regional leadership team to drive growth and maximize efficiencies across the Pacific Region.  
• Manage staff and execute fundraising techniques to meet revenue targets through fundraising events, individual and foundation gifts, and other chapter activities, in collaboration with regional and national partners, to drive growth.
• In cooperation with the local and regional staff and volunteers leaders, identify and secure campaign leadership and corporate sponsorships.
• Implement the cultivation, solicitation, follow-up, and recognition process for individual, corporate and foundation participation and donations.
• Maintain accurate and complete records and files for fundraising events, programs, and activities.

 
Communications

• Coordinate local, regional and national marketing and promotion for fundraising events, programs and activities.
• Partner with media outlets and cultivate relationships to maximize awareness of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation brand.
• Participate in enterprise-wide activities such as healthcare professional outreach visits, donor events, major education events, P2P information meetings, Take Steps Walk(s) and any other chapter wide activities.

 
Team Leadership

• Supervise chapter staff and build a culture of collaboration, respect and teamwork in the region and across the Foundation. 
• Provide leadership to chapter staff by facilitating communication across functional areas.
• Maintain communication and engagement with regional and national leaders.
• Will serve as a coach and mentor to all chapter and regional staff.

Administration

• Direct administration of chapter financials, budget and operational plans.
• Drive financial ratio margins to meet overall chapter performance guidelines.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:  

• BA/BS Degree preferred.
• 5 – 7 years of experience in not-for-profit fundraising and/or Executive leadership.
• Demonstrated track record of successful fundraising experience that includes individual major and foundation gifts, special events, corporate giving, donor cultivation, public relations, and stewardship.
• Previous experience in identifying, recruiting, and partnering with volunteers to achieve results.
• Proven and applicable skills in strategic thinking, committee leadership, account management and volunteer development.
• Experience with influence management and persuasive authority over employees.
• Experience in varied forms of communications including – mass media, advertising and community relations, as they relate to the health care service industry
• An effective communicator, both written and oral.