Associate Director, Advancement (MidAtlantic)

About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.

Core to our philosophy is how we think of our capital and its risk profile relative to other stakeholders in the drug development pipeline. We work aggressively to de-risk various therapeutic strategies and tools in the hopes of building a robust pipeline of new treatments for patients. In order to achieve our mission of finding a cure for PD it is critical that we engage with, and bring together, members of the PD community including researchers, physicians, health professionals and most important, people with Parkinson's and their families.

We believe that to find a cure for PD as quickly as possible, our capital needs to push research forward today—we therefore deliberately hold no endowment or excessive reserves. We instead seek to deploy funds raised as quickly and wisely as possible. MJFF raises over $100 million annually. Today, the Foundation has approximately 250 full-time employees. We offer a collegial and collaborative environment where optimistic problem-solvers and entrepreneurial, resourceful individuals can thrive and make a tangible difference for millions of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) is seeking top talent for its Associate Director of Advancement position.  Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, Advancement the Associate Director, Advancement will manage a portfolio of major gift donors, work across Development to deepen donor engagement, seek additional funding opportunities, and track portfolio forecasting and revenue.

A successful candidate will feel at home as a member of a dynamic and supportive team. They will develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with colleagues within Development and across the Foundation. They will lead major gift fundraising strategies for their portfolio and oversee donor solicitation and stewardship efforts with a focus on retaining and upgrading donors.

This role will primarily manage relationships in the MidAtlantic region of the U.S.  This fundraiser may be based remotely with regular travel to assigned donors and periodic travel to NYC required. Travel expectations are approximately 25% of the year with the occasional weekend travel or work requirements. Team members plan travel for highest strategic impact thus travel cadence varies (some seasons are more active than others).

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead major gift fundraising strategy for their portfolio and oversee donor solicitation and stewardship efforts with a focus on retaining and upgrading donors. 
• Manage a portfolio of high-level donors giving $25,000+ annually. 
• Build strong and lasting relationships with constituents through multiple and meaningful points of contact.
• Strengthen the Foundation’s presence through fundraising and community engagement efforts in partnership with other teams at MJFF.
• Proactively coordinate outreach, conduct prospect research, track revenue, manage stewardship, and seek additional opportunities for broader community engagement within assigned territories.
• Serve as a key MJFF spokesperson and frontline fundraiser, with the ability to confidently articulate a clear and compelling case for support for MJFF with a focus on major gifts.
• Increase MJFF awareness at research, patient and community events, Research Roundtables, Hosted Events, Support Groups, Team Fox events, and Symposiums.
• Perform administrative activities including, but not limited to, high-end stewardship and solicitation mailings, curated communications, revenue tracking, update donor and prospect records, track and record action items and update notes in CRM, internal strategic projects.
• Identify and compile relevant, timely updates and articles of interest to share with key constituents.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrated success as a front-line major gifts fundraiser who has independently secured multiple five-figure gifts. 
• Experience securing and conducting personal, face-to-face visits to engage, solicit, and steward major donors and prospects.   
• A proven ability to digest complex material and present it in an empathetic and compelling manner; ability to communicate science and business models to donors with high level of proficiency as well as teach and mentor others to do the same.    
• Demonstrated success writing a donor-centric, clear, and compelling case for support.  
• Proactive, and organized: must be able to independently prioritize needs with competing timelines and stakeholders and support direct reports in doing the same.    
• Strong time management skills with the ability to be adept at pivoting to manage shifting priorities. 
• Display an innate sense of curiosity and urgency to build and strengthen the Foundation’s impact. 
• Contribute to and foster a collaborative teamworking environment and have a positive roll-up-your sleeves attitude. 
• A willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed. The travel expectations are approximately 25% for the year with the occasional weekend travel or work requirements. 
• Familiarity with Salesforce CRM software or equivalent software 
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills. 
• Must have a valid Driver’s License 

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $95,000.  In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15+ options for medical insurance (with MJFF paying 90 percent of the premiums).
• Competitive dental and vision plans.
• 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Employer paid life and disability insurance.
• 18 days Paid Time Off (PTO); 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4.
• Two ways of working: hybrid-flex, or remote work.  We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done. 

Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. MJFF provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events. 

Vaccine Statement: 
At The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF), the health and safety of our team and our community is a priority. MJFF has made the decision to require all staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated by date of hire and proof of vaccine is required. Full vaccination is defined as two weeks after both doses of two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, because of medical or religious reasons, can request a reasonable accommodation for consideration.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing their specific qualifications and interest in the position.

MJFF is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Diversity may refer to characteristics including, but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic circumstance, geographic background, ability and disability, political ideology and age.