The Director of Major Gifts (West) plays a key role in advancing the Foundation’s major gifts strategy and supporting the overall goals of the Major Gifts team.
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 300 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 for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Director of Major Gifts (West) position. Reporting to the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this position plays a key role in advancing the Foundation’s major gifts strategy and supporting the overall goals of the Major Gifts team. This role is designed to empower frontline fundraisers by providing strategic partnership, thought leadership, and structured management so they can focus more deeply on high-impact donor engagement. This position leads a team of frontline fundraisers in their assigned territory, providing guidance, coaching and support to help them achieve and exceed fundraising goals. In addition, this role also stewards a select portfolio of major gift donors, collaborating closely with colleagues across Development and the broader Foundation to ensure coordinated and effective engagement of supporters. This position fosters a high-performing, collaborative team culture rooted in shared accountability, professional growth, and a commitment to excellence in donor relationships and fundraising outcomes. In partnership with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, this leader works closely with fundraisers, ensuring clarity, alignment, and the support needed to drive exceptional donor engagement.
The successful candidate will bring a strong leadership presence, demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, and proven ability to drive bold multi-year strategies.
This position is based remotely within the Western region of the United States.
Key Responsibilities:
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, support and mentor a team of frontline fundraisers responsible for cultivating and soliciting major gifts, providing regular coaching, goal setting and feedback that promotes growth, confidence, and long-term success
Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth and shared success
Partner with the VP, Head of Major Gifts, to identify skill-building opportunities and strengthen team fundraising capabilities
Provide advanced coaching on solicitation strategy, multi-year asks and donor engagement planning, collaborating with staff to build on their existing strengths and expand their capacity for ambitious fundraising
Model and cultivate a team culture rooted in excellence, continuous learning and proactive and meaningful donor engagement
Fundraising Strategy & Execution
Execute the Foundation’s major gifts strategy within assigned regions, ensuring alignment with overall goals for the Development business unit
Support the VP in setting annual revenue targets, monitoring progress and implementing course corrections as needed
Guide team members in developing tailored donor engagement plans to deepen relationships and secure multi-year commitments
Co-develop long-term regional fundraising strategies in partnership with frontline fundraisers that proactively identify growth opportunities and high-impact donor engagement
Partner closely with the VP and regional fundraisers to shape regional approaches, contribute to enterprise-wide planning and drive alignment with the Foundation’s multi-year fundraising goal
Donor Relationship Management
Manage a portfolio of mid- to high-level major donors, leading personalized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities
Demonstrate exceptional presence and skill in navigating complex donor conversations, including high-level multi-year solicitations
Engage directly with top prospects as needed, modeling best-in-class fundraising technique and reinforcing a culture of external relationship development
Serve as a trusted partner and Foundation ambassador, effectively communicating the Foundation’s mission, impact and funding priorities
Collaborate across Development to ensure seamless donor experiences and accurate CRM tracking
Operational Oversight
Support team budget management, ensuring resources are deployed efficiently to meet fundraising objectives
Partner with internal stakeholders to develop compelling donor materials and campaigns
Contribute to data-informed decision-making through accurate revenue tracking and reporting
Ensure disciplined pipeline management and strategic use of CRM data to drive proactive donor engagement and forecasting
Promote consistent adoption of best practices in strategic fundraising planning, portfolio management and effective internal communication
Collaboration & Organizational Alignment
Act as a liaison between the Major Gifts team and other Development teams to ensure coordinated donor engagement across revenue lines
Represent the Major Gifts team in cross-departmental meetings, sharing insights and best practices
Serve as a key thought partner to the VP, contributing to team-wide leadership discussions, decision-making and long-term planning
Foster strong cross-functional relationships and help unify regional strategies in service of multi-year goals
Qualifications and Skills:
Relevant experience as a front-line major gift fundraiser, consistently securing multiple six- and seven-figure gifts; experience with large campaigns a plus
Demonstrated experience managing and developing front-line fundraisers, shaping team culture and partnering strategically with leadership
Demonstrated ability to execute major gifts strategy, align work to organizational goals and drive sustained revenue growth
Extensive experience conducting high-quality donor visits to engage, solicit and steward prospects, building long-term relationships
Skilled communicator able to translate complex scientific and business concepts for donors and coach others to do the same
Highly organized and proactive, able to manage shifting priorities and guide team members in doing so
Proficient in Microsoft Office and data reporting; working knowledge of Salesforce or similar CRM systems
Ability to travel regularly (including occasional weekends) to engage donors across key territories
Must have a valid Driver’s License
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000. In addition to salary, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation 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 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2 p.m.) 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. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
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.