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Overview

The Vice President, Chief Development Officer serves as the strategic leader responsible for advancing the mission of the children's hospital through comprehensive fundraising, donor engagement, and community partnership efforts. This role is accountable for designing and executing a robust, multi-channel philanthropic strategy that secures transformational and sustainable financial support to enhance patient care, expand clinical programs, invest in research and innovation, and strengthen the hospital's impact on children and families. The VP of Development fosters a culture of generosity and stewardship by building meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, and community stakeholders, while partnering closely with executive leadership, clinicians, and board members. Through visionary leadership, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to excellence, this role ensures the hospital's philanthropic initiatives align with its strategic priorities and uphold its reputation as a trusted, mission-driven organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all children.

At Children’s Mercy, we are committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcomed within our walls. A successful candidate for this position will join us as we strive to create a workplace that reflects the community we serve, as well as our core values of kindness, curiosity, inclusion, team and integrity.

Additionally, it’s important to us that we remain transparent with all potential job candidates. Because we value the safety of the patients and families we serve, as well as the Children’s Mercy staff, we want to let you know that the seasonal influenza vaccine is a condition of employment for all employees in our organization. New employees must be willing to be vaccinated if found non-immune to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and chicken pox (varicella) and/or without evidence of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination since 2005. If you are selected for this position, you will be asked to supply your immunization records as proof of vaccination. If you and have any concerns about receiving these vaccines, medical and/or religious exemptions can be further discussed with Human Resources.

Responsibilities

Strategy, Governance, and Enterprise Leadership

• Set the strategic vision for philanthropy in alignment with the organization’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
• Evaluate internal and external trends to inform short and long range strategies affecting reputation, engagement, and philanthropic sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional ethical standards, maintaining accountability to donors, volunteers, guests, and governing bodies.
• Serve as a senior advisor and liaison to executive leadership, physicians, boards, and community stakeholders as a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team.
• Advance institutional priorities by advising and supporting advisory boards and major initiatives through advocacy and executive influence.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify and address organizational development needs that impact the effectiveness, alignment, and sustainability of philanthropy and volunteer programs.

Operations, Engagement, and Performance Execution

• Provide executive oversight and strategic direction for philanthropy operations, ensuring alignment, performance, and integration across donor systems and stewardship programs.
• Lead enterprise level donor, volunteer, and guest engagement strategies across the full lifecycle to maximize philanthropic investment and enhance the overall stakeholder experience.
• Establish strategic plans, financial frameworks, benchmarks, and performance metrics to drive measurable outcomes and ensure effective stewardship of organizational resources.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key donors and volunteers, providing senior level engagement and accountability to advance major philanthropic initiatives.
• Build and sustain high performing leadership teams by setting clear expectations, optimizing organizational structure, coaching leaders, and fostering a culture of accountability and results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Business, Non-Profit Management, Marketing or related field and 12 or more years of experience in non-profit philanthropy, fundraising, donor relations, or related field
• Master's Degree Business, Non-Profit Management, Marketing or related field and 10 or more years of experience in non-profit philanthropy, fundraising, donor relations, or related field
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and transformational gifts, with significant experience securing gifts.
• Proven track record of securing transformational gifts of $10M+ and leading solicitations for principal gift opportunities of $75M or greater.
• Proven success leading large-scale fundraising campaigns from inception through completion, including campaign strategy, prospect development, donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and achievement of campaign goals.
• Experience building, leading, and developing high-performing fundraising teams, with a demonstrated ability to inspire staff and drive organizational fundraising success.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and executive presence skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leadership, board members, and key stakeholders.

Benefits at Children’s Mercy

The benefits plans at Children’s Mercy are one of many reasons we are recognized as one of the best places to work in Kansas City. Our plans are designed to meet the changing needs of our employees and their families.

Learn more about Children’s Mercy benefits.

Starting Pay

Our pay ranges are market competitive. The offer will be determined based on your education and experience.

Remote Work/Work from Home

This position is not eligible to work remotely, which means that the person hired will be required to work onsite at one of our Children’s Mercy locations and may not work from home.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Vet

Children’s Mercy hires individuals based on their job skills, expertise and ability to maintain professional relationships with fellow employees, patients, parents and visitors. A personal interview, formal education and training, previous work experience, references and a criminal background investigation are all factors used to select the best candidates. The hospital does not discriminate against prospective or current employees based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, creed, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry or veteran status. A drug screen will be performed upon hire. Children’s Mercy is smoke and tobacco free.

CM is committed to creating a workforce that supports the diverse backgrounds of our patients and families. We know that our greatest strengths come from the people who make up our team, so we hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger and our patient care more compassionate.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for service, you will find a home at CM. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring, including education, ideas, culture, and beliefs.