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.

About the role

The Executive Director, based in our Greater San Diego & Desert Area Chapter in San Diego, California, is a front-line fundraising professional responsible for all individual and foundation gifts, as well as the professional leadership and staff management of the chapter. This role partners with leadership volunteers to harness their passion and skills, maximizing their contributions to advance the Foundation’s mission. The Executive Director cultivates partnerships and alliances to promote growth and awareness in the community and travels throughout the market area to engage with constituents. This is a hybrid role: 2 days/week in the Chapter office in La Jolla and 3 days/week remote.

Responsibilities

• Board/Volunteer Engagement
  • Build and execute a compelling vision for the chapter in collaboration with volunteer leaders and staff to drive revenue growth.
  • Identify, recruit, and engage volunteers with potential to make an impact.
  • Build strong partnerships with volunteers and supporters, fostering a culture of accountability.
  • Advise and support chapter volunteer committees to drive success in campaigns and grow mission support.
  • Serve as a key leader in the market area, building relationships, raising awareness, and sharing mission impact.
• Fundraising
  • Identify local major gift prospects and collaborate with the national major gift team to secure individual and foundation major gifts.
  • Collaborate, cultivate, identify, and recruit major revenue partners to maximize impact on special events and fundraising campaigns.
  • Work with the regional leadership team to drive growth and maximize efficiencies across the Pacific Region.
  • Manage staff and execute fundraising techniques to meet revenue targets through events, individual and foundation gifts, and other chapter activities.
  • Identify and secure campaign leadership and corporate sponsorships in cooperation with local, regional, and volunteer leaders.
  • Implement the cultivation, solicitation, follow-up, and recognition process for individual, corporate, and foundation donations.
  • Maintain accurate 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 Foundation’s brand.
  • Participate in enterprise-wide activities such as healthcare professional outreach, donor events, major education events, peer-to-peer information meetings, Take Steps Walk(s), and 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.
  • 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.
  • Perform 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, including individual major gifts, foundation gifts, special events, corporate giving, donor cultivation, public relations, and stewardship.
• Previous experience identifying, recruiting, and partnering with volunteers to achieve results.
• Proven skills in strategic thinking, committee leadership, account management, and volunteer development.
• Experience with influence management and persuasive authority over employees.
• Experience in communications, including mass media, advertising, and community relations, particularly in the healthcare service industry.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Schedule

Hybrid: 2 days/week in the Chapter office in La Jolla and 3 days/week remote.