Description

Johns Hopkins Medicine is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven fundraising leader to help shape the next chapter of philanthropy for the Department of Otolaryngology under the leadership of Dr. Maie St. John, an internationally recognized surgeon-scientist, academic leader, and educator. This is a compelling opportunity to partner with a dynamic leader and nationally respected department at a moment of momentum, growth, and bold vision—advancing world-class patient care, discovery, education, and service through philanthropy.

The department currently raises $1M–$2M annually and is poised for significant growth as it expands its faculty, clinical programs, research enterprise, educational initiatives, and global reach. As the department’s chief fundraising strategist, the Director of Development will design and lead a sophisticated major gifts program with meaningful visibility, partnership, and impact. This role will lead a small, dynamic team and work closely with partners across the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine to transform patient care, research, and clinical programs.

What You’ll Do

• Build and lead a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Department, with a focus on major and principal gifts, grateful patient philanthropy, and other philanthropic partnerships.
• Partner closely with Dr. St. John, department leadership, faculty, grateful patients, alumni, and institutional partners to develop compelling funding priorities that advance research, education, patient care, and strategic initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with faculty and department leaders to understand their vision, shape philanthropic strategy, translate priorities into donor-centered opportunities, and align fundraising plans with departmental and Johns Hopkins Medicine goals.
• Develop and manage an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies with individual fundraising goals consistently above $1M.
• Create personalized engagement strategies that inspire donors and prospects to invest in the department’s mission, people, programs, and future growth.
• Collaborate with development colleagues across Johns Hopkins Medicine, including National Capital Region-affiliated hospitals and practices, to advance shared priorities and coordinate philanthropic opportunities across the enterprise.
• Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of professional and support staff, including frontline fundraisers and colleagues in areas such as communications, finance, or data.
• Initiate and strengthen volunteer relationships, including the potential creation of an advisory board or committee to support the department through philanthropy, advocacy, and counsel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven years of related professional experience, including at least one year of supervisory or management experience.

Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma or graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Advanced degree, such as a master’s degree or JD.
• Experience in higher education, academic medicine, or a comparable complex fundraising environment.
• Demonstrated success soliciting major gifts of $100K or more, with strong preference for seven-figure gift experience.
• Experience supervising and mentoring frontline fundraisers, including early-career development professionals.
• Ability to set vision, establish goals, and lead teams through complex or cross-functional initiatives.