Description

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development for the Geisel School of Medicine, the Senior Director of Development will secure and steward gifts of $250,000-$5M to advance the mission of The Geisel School of Medicine. The incumbent will also provide strategic leadership on the execution of engagement activities to support development objectives nation-wide. Will strategize and coordinate closely with colleagues across the department, as well as with development counterparts across Dartmouth College, to formulate and implement donor engagement strategies to increase philanthropic investment in the academic medical enterprise at Dartmouth, and to achieve annual performance metrics. Contributes as a member of the overall team to further the overall objectives of the Geisel School of Medicine and the larger idea of health care at Dartmouth. The incumbent must have experience collaborating with faculty, researchers, students, residents, and fellows from a variety of disciplines to convey their stories to a wide range of constituents, thrive from developing and sustaining relationships with our donor and friends, and believe in advancing health worldwide.

Description

Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp

Bachelors or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Experience

• 10+ years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with 6+ years of success in major and principal gift fundraising.
• Extensive experience managing complex prospect and donor portfolios, applying disciplined moves-management strategies and sound fundraising judgment.
• Experience working effectively within large, complex, and decentralized organizations, navigating ambiguity and cross-functional dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and supporting colleagues by sharing expertise, modeling best practices, and contributing to a collaborative fundraising culture without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Hands-on experience representing an organization to senior executives, trustees, and external stakeholders in high-stakes fundraising and relationship-building contexts.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including experience engaging effectively with diverse donor and partner communities.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit governance, fundraising ethics, compliance requirements, and best practices, with awareness of current and emerging philanthropy trends.

Skills & Knowledge

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively, negotiate effectively, and tell compelling donor-centered stories.
• Advanced relationship-building skills, with the ability to establish and sustain long-term, trust-based relationships with donors, board members, and institutional leaders.
• Strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills, including the ability to take initiative, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines consistently.
• High level of professional judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately and navigate internal conflict constructively.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, enabling effective work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility, creativity, and adaptability, with a customer-service mindset and comfort working in evolving or ambiguous situations.
• A positive, collegial approach that contributes to a collaborative workplace, bringing energy, generosity of spirit, and a sense of humor when appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Experience fundraising within an academic medical center, healthcare system, or integrated academic healthcare environment, with familiarity navigating clinical, research, and educational priorities and stakeholder relationships.

Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries

Kimberlee Labonte

Department Contact Phone Number

6036462275

Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title

Kimberlee Labonte, Executive Director of Development , Geisel School of Medicine

Department Contact's Phone Number

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Additional Instructions

Key Accountabilities

Description

Fundraising

• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of ~125-175 Dartmouth alumni and friends, with an emphasis on medical school alumni (MD, Master's, PhD) as well as resident and fellow "alumni" with the capacity to make multi-year gift commitments between $250,000 and $5M.
• Collaborates with colleagues in the Dartmouth College Development office to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward Dartmouth College alumni with an interest in supporting the priorities of the Geisel School of Medicine.
• Help design strategies to attract and engage non Dartmouth alumni, with an emphasis on building a robust pipeline of prospects to support expanding research enterprises.
• Develops and implements comprehensive solicitation and stewardship strategies for major gift donors and prospects.
• Devises and implements donor-centric fundraising strategies to meet personal activity and revenue goals through portfolio planning and moves management.
• Leverages Geisel reunion classes, using the special opportunity to solicit significant gifts from alumni in class or affinity reunions.
• Manages and curates pipelines for senior leader and faculty trips to visit prospects with the goal of advancing key relationships.
• Serves as a mentor to fellow frontline fundraisers at Geisel.
• Travels with consistent frequency to meet with individuals and achieve annual fundraising and engagement targets.
• Writes and submits contact reports and compiles other pertinent information following donor contacts.

Percentage Of Time

80

Description

Donor Coordination and Contact

• Interacts with and engages specific major donors, including those with shared Dartmouth College and Geisel interests.
• Works in close collaboration with the Chief Development Officer and Vice-President of Development and Alumni Engagement to ensure seamless integration and coordination of donors and related activities.
• Ensures appropriate recognition and stewardship of donors.
• Works with development peers across Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in individual giving, research, and donor relations on matters related to prospects with institutional giving ties.

Percentage Of Time

10

Description

Program and Project Management

• Develops and maintains working knowledge of Geisel's priority areas for fundraising; gains knowledge of faculty research interests and areas of expertise; serves as a resource to faculty, helping to devise and implement fund-raising strategies for gifts.
• Attends appropriate Geisel School of Medicine events, programs and meetings.
• Attends meetings, makes presentations and works on special projects at the direction of the Chief Development Officer and Vice-President of Development and Alumni Engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Percentage Of Time

10

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Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all.

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Performs other duties as assigned.