Vice President, Philanthropic Strategy

About the role

The VP, Philanthropic Strategist serves as UNOS' senior subject matter expert for philanthropic strategy, institutional funding partnerships, strategic partnerships, donor governance, and philanthropic risk management. Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer, this highly autonomous enterprise advisor provides expert guidance to executive leadership, the Board of Directors, Legal, Finance, Compliance, and other senior stakeholders on philanthropic strategy, donor engagement, governance frameworks, funding acceptance standards, and reputational risk. The role shapes the long‑term direction of UNOS' philanthropic capability while ensuring funding activities advance organizational priorities without compromising public trust, institutional independence, or regulatory integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Philanthropic Strategy & Vision: Define and evolve UNOS' long‑term philanthropic strategy and operating framework; serve as principal advisor on philanthropic trends, institutional funding opportunities, donor governance, and strategic funding priorities; establish multi‑year roadmaps aligned with mission objectives; identify emerging developments and performance measures; shape organizational perspectives on philanthropy’s role in mission‑focused outcomes.
• Institutional Funding & Strategic Partnerships: Lead strategy for complex institutional, foundation, and mission‑aligned partnerships; develop engagement strategies for high‑impact funding requiring executive and Board involvement; build senior‑level relationships with foundations and funding organizations; provide guidance on donor portfolio development and long‑term funding strategies; represent UNOS within philanthropic, nonprofit, public‑health, research, and foundation communities; develop partnership approaches that preserve independence and public trust.
• Governance, Ethics & Organizational Stewardship: Establish enterprise standards for donor screening, funding acceptance, stewardship, donor influence, and risk management; act as internal authority on philanthropic ethics and reputational risk; evaluate sensitive funding opportunities and advise leadership and the Board; develop decision‑making frameworks for donor intent, mission alignment, and funding restrictions; partner with Legal, Compliance, and Finance to ensure transparency and compliance; continuously refine governance standards.
• Strategic Funding Development & Organizational Alignment: Translate organizational priorities into philanthropic investment opportunities; set standards for concept development, funding narratives, donor communications, and rationales; advise leaders on appropriate strategic initiatives for philanthropic investment; review and refine complex funding opportunities before executive or Board review; ensure opportunities include clear objectives, outcomes, governance considerations, and donor boundaries; promote consistent practices that improve quality and strategic value.
• Executive, Board & Enterprise Advisory Leadership: Advise executive leadership and the Board on strategy, opportunities, governance risks, donor considerations, and trends; prepare strategic recommendations, analyses, and presentations; equip senior leaders and Board members with approved messaging and guidance; support executive discussions on complex funding, donor concerns, stakeholder dynamics, and reputational sensitivity; influence decision‑making through expertise and governance discipline; serve as trusted advisor on philanthropy‑related matters.
• Capability Development & Organizational Impact: Establish and improve UNOS' philanthropic operating model, standards, and frameworks; develop scalable processes for opportunity identification, donor review, stewardship, reporting, and oversight; define measures to evaluate pipeline quality, portfolio health, stewardship effectiveness, and strategic impact; promote best practices in institutional philanthropy and donor governance; assess overall effectiveness and recommend improvements; ensure philanthropic efforts align with strategic priorities while maintaining mission integrity and public trust.

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in philanthropy, foundation relations, institutional fundraising, nonprofit development, strategic partnerships, or related disciplines.
• Experience supporting public health, healthcare, research, transplantation, technology, or scientific organizations.

Critical Skills

• Enterprise philanthropic strategy and institutional funding expertise.
• Deep knowledge of philanthropic governance, donor influence considerations, and funding risk management.
• Experience advising executive leaders, Boards of Directors, or senior governing bodies.
• Ability to establish governance frameworks, operating models, and funding evaluation standards.
• Expertise developing and managing complex foundation and institutional donor relationships.
• Exceptional executive communication, strategic framing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence organizational direction through expertise, thought leadership, and strategic advisory capabilities.
• Strong judgment in evaluating high‑risk, high‑visibility, or strategically significant funding opportunities.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and competing organizational priorities.
• Advanced relationship management and strategic partnership development capabilities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Recognized expertise in institutional philanthropy, foundation engagement, or mission‑driven funding strategy.
• Experience establishing or transforming philanthropic functions.
• Experience developing enterprise governance models, donor acceptance standards, or risk‑management frameworks.
• Experience working with national foundations, public‑interest funding organizations, or large‑scale philanthropic partnerships.
• Experience presenting to Boards, executive committees, or senior governing bodies.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Health, Healthcare Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Advanced degree preferred.

Physical Requirements

• General office demands: prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent reaching, handling, and fine manipulation for using office equipment, filing, and managing paperwork.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other office tools.
• Occasional standing, walking, and bending.
• Ability to lift up to 10‑20 pounds occasionally.
• Vision abilities required include close vision for computer work and reading documents.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.