Job Title: Regional Leadership Giving Director

Category:  Full-time; Exempt 

Reports to:  Vice President of Leadership Giving 

Location: Remote, Western US; Travel Required (30-35%); Must reside near major airport, within one of the following states: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado 

About PKD 

The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and to improving the lives of those it affects. Since 1982, we have proudly funded $50 million in PKD research and leveraged $1.5 billion in government funding, while serving our local communities across the country. We are inspired by our mission and driven by our vision to #endPKD.

 
Summary: 

 
The Regional Leadership Giving Director (RLGD) will collaborate with and report directly to the VP, Leadership Giving. The RLGD will play a vital role in the fundraising efforts of the Foundation by cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and securing major gifts ($10,000 outright gifts or $25,000 multi-year pledge commitments) to support mission related initiatives. The primary focus will be on building and stewarding donor relationships within the western region of the country, with the goal of maximizing philanthropic support for the organization's research programs. The RLGD will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major gift donors and prospects utilizing a moves management system.

 
Responsibilities: 

• Commit to understanding polycystic kidney disease and the mission of the PKD Foundation and be prepared to fully convey the Foundation’s impact, needs and opportunities with donors/prospects. 

• Manages a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major gift donors/prospects. 

• Donor Cultivation: Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects within the assigned region through a variety of mediums, including but not limited to phone calls, mailings, emails, zoom meetings, texts and in person meetings and events.

• Relationship Management: Establish and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective major donors, ensuring regular communication and personalized stewardship to nurture long-term engagement and support.

• Prospect Research: In partnership with Director of Prospect Research & Management, conduct comprehensive research on potential major gift donors, including their philanthropic interests, capacity to give, and connection to our organization's mission and research initiatives. 

• Gift Solicitation: Create compelling and tailored engagement and solicitation strategies to secure major gifts from individuals, including personal solicitations, proposals, and presentations. 

• Donor Recognition: Ensure timely and appropriate acknowledgement and recognition of major donors, including personalized communication, donor recognition events, and other stewardship activities. 

• Collaboration: Collaborate with the team members and other key stakeholders to align fundraising strategies with the organization's research priorities and funding needs. 

• Goal Achievement: Exceed annual fundraising goals and key performance metrics, tracking progress and providing regular updates and reports to the VP, Leadership Giving.

• Donor Database Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, solicitations, and contributions in the organization's constituent relationship management system. 

• Stay Informed: Stay current on trends and best practices in major gift fundraising and research philanthropy, attending professional development opportunities, donor engagement events and networking functions/events as required. 

Ideal Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in non-profit management, fundraising, communications or a related field. 

• Seven (7) or more years of experience and proven success in major gift fundraising, preferably within a healthcare or research-focused nonprofit organization.

• Proficiency in using donor management systems (Salesforce or similar), Microsoft Office Suite, and other fundraising-related and moves management software. 

• Strong understanding of major gift fundraising principles, strategies, and best practices, with a track record of securing significant gifts from individuals and foundations. 

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and inspire high-net-worth individuals and cultivate lasting donor relationships. 

• Ability to think strategically and develop effective cultivation and solicitation strategies, tailored to individual donor interests and giving capacity. 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, presentations, and donor correspondence. 

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, researchers/clinicians, volunteers, and board members. 

• Demonstrated ability to exceed fundraising goals, track progress, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve desired outcomes. 

• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct in all fundraising activities, adhering to relevant policies, laws and regulations. Ability to exercise judgement and appropriately handle confidential matters and information. 

• Familiarity of remote office setting including video communications and a virtual meeting schedule.

• Ability to effectively establish priorities and work in a fast-paced environment. Highly efficient in time management and meeting deadlines.

• Significant travel is required in this role. Ability to travel 30-35% within assigned region for in-person meetings with donors and prospects. Must live within reasonable distance of a major airport in the assigned region.

Physical Demands: 

• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time. 

• Use hands and arms, read, stoop, crouch, talk, hear, see objects clearly at 20 inches or less. 

• Lift and move items weighing up to 20 lbs. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Benefits:* 

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive compensation (commensurate with experience), in addition to a benefits package including: 

• Employer paid medical benefits including healthcare, dental, and vision for individual. 

• Employer funded HSA (for those who elect a HDHP) 

• Life insurance and disability insurance 

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with 12% employer contribution, no match required, after six months of continuous service 

• 11 paid Holidays and 20 PTO days per year 

• Fully remote work environment, with collaborative business center available to employees local to the Kansas City metro area as needed.

*Benefits are subject to board review annually and may change. 

As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, PKDF provides a range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Multiple factors may be used to determine your actual salary, including: your specific skills and experience, physical location, or other relevant factors. The salary range for this position may be lower or higher in different markets.