Assistant/Associate Director, Principal Gift Communications

ABOUT: 

At the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, we are a team of dedicated individuals with a shared commitment to helping kids and families live healthier lives.

We do this by:

• Fundraising for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford and the maternal and child health programs of Stanford University School of Medicine.
• Raising awareness of children's health issues.
• Promoting a system of care that improves the lives of children with special health care needs and their families  

DESCRIPTION: 

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health seeks an experienced communications professional to join our dynamic team of dedicated individuals with a shared commitment to helping kids and families live healthier lives. Our 100+-member staff directs all fundraising for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and for the maternal and child health programs at Stanford University School of Medicine. Fundraising totaled more than $190 million last fiscal year.

The Assistant/Associate Director of Communications reports to the Associate Director of Communications on the Principal Gifts team. This role will serve as a strategic thought partner and bring their persuasive writing skills and expertise in communications strategy to build and further relationships with the Foundation’s highest-level donors.

In collaboration with Principal Gift Officers, the Assistant/Associate Director will partner closely with faculty to translate their research ideas into compelling philanthropic communications including proposals, case statements, vision documents, impact reports, talking points for faculty and leaders, and stewardship letters.

The Principal Gifts team works with approximately 500 donors and prospects who have the potential to make philanthropic gifts of $10M or more. The Foundation is currently in the quiet phase of a campaign, which will allow for the continued growth of Stanford Children’s Health as a leader in pediatric and obstetric care and research.

Due to Covid-19, employees of LPFCH are working remotely through February of 2022 (subject to extension as circumstances warrant). Once the office reopens, there will be some flexibility to work remotely.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with gift officers in shaping the communication strategy for principal gift donors
• Consistently develop and produce inspiring, custom communication pieces to support communication with principal gift donors. This includes interviewing faculty and translating their research into a compelling vision, writing solicitation proposals, whitepapers, stewardship impact reports, and other materials
• Effectively craft talking points and messaging for Stanford Medicine faculty and hospital leadership for donor meetings, events, etc.
• Manage production of various communication projects at the same time. Coordinate reviews by internal and external partners and incorporate feedback. Track schedules and adhere to deadlines
• Serve as a trusted source of information about maternal and child health care programs, and pediatric research at Stanford
• Maintain records of proposals, other donor communications, and tracking spreadsheets
• Collaborate across teams such as Donor Relations, Campaigns and Development Communications, and Stewardship to share resources and ensure consistency of messaging
• While this position is primarily focused on communications and writing, an ability to work with designers and help guide the development of compelling visuals is preferred
• Ensure all communications are consistent with the Lucile Packard Foundation and Stanford Medicine brand and platform and are aligned with goals
• Lead projects with freelance writers, consultants, designers, and other outside vendors
• Recommend new approaches, procedures, and processes to effect continual improvements in efficiencies across the Foundation
• Perform other related duties as assigned

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Interest in and basic knowledge of science and medicine
• One or more of these experiences are required for the Associate Director role:
  • Experience creating donor-facing writing in similarly complex contexts, (e.g. creating donor-facing materials in service of medical research or higher education fundraising, managing a complex donor communications strategy for a national organization, etc.)
  • Experience translating scientific/medical (or otherwise highly complicated/technical) concepts into lay language and synthesizing material from multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences in a context that is expansive
• One or more of these experiences are required for the Assistant Director role:
  • Experience creating donor facing communications for major or principal gifts audiences in an organization doing unrelated work
  • Experience translating scientific/medical (or otherwise highly complicated/technical) concepts into lay language and synthesizing material from multiple sources to produce materials for diverse audiences in a narrow context

SKILLS

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with proven ability to present, write, edit, and organize thoughts in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner for print, online, and other media. Candidates must possess:
  • The ability to write copy that not only explains complex concepts but persuades audiences to take action
  • The ability to change voice and writing style to fit different audiences, purposes, and media
  • High attention to detail with copy editing and proofing skills
  • A willingness to accept and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, coordinate the roles of various project contributors, set priorities and schedules, and meet and prioritize multiple deadlines with a minimum of supervision
• Ability to leverage manager for strategic support
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Proficiency with Adobe InDesign preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and apply ingenuity and creativity in solving complex problems
• Candidates should either possess or be excited to learn:​
  • Strong experience partnering with designers or communications agencies (Required for Associate Director role)
  • Previous experience working in a nonprofit environment
  • Education or professional experience in writing for medicine, biology, or scientific research
  • A good eye for design and the ability to communicate visually

COMPETENCIES

• Collaborative: Ability to work closely with clients, designers, and other team members and interact effectively with a diverse array of people, including senior leaders
• Sound judgment: Ability to operate diplomatically while balancing and meeting multiple organizational and client needs. Successfully navigating conflicting needs as they arise
• Integrity: Ability to work with sensitive and confidential information maintaining the highest level of confidentiality and complying with HIPAA regulations at all times
• Customer service orientation: Ability to listen to, understand, and meet gift officer needs and goals
• Adaptability and flexibility: Possesses a high tolerance for ambiguity in a complex and matrixed work environment
• Mission orientation: Possesses a genuine interest in improving the health and well-being of children.

An Associate Director candidate will have demonstrated experience leading the development of impactful messaging and story arc for an organization’s most important and highest impact audience.

EOE STATEMENT

We know that building a diverse and inclusive workforce is key to our success and enables us to do extraordinary work for kids and their families. When you become part of our team, you’ll be joining a group of passionate and dedicated individuals who truly care about and believe in the work they do.

We provide competitive compensation and a wide range of benefits designed to meet the needs of our employees and their families. We are strong supporters of work life balance.

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.