The Strategic Partnerships Officer (SPO) will be a senior member of the advancement team responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of the organization’s highest-capacity prospects—individuals, families, corporations, and foundations—capable of making gifts of $5 million or more. This role will serve as the primary architect and leader of the organization’s principal gifts program, in partnership with the SVP, ensuring a strategic, coordinated approach to securing transformational philanthropic investments.

The SPO will work closely with the advancement team, CEO, Board of Directors, executive leadership, physicians, and principal investigators to inspire significant, long-term commitment from the organization’s most influential partners. In addition to managing a select personal portfolio, the SPO will supervise a small team and develop systems, strategies, and install best practices that elevate the principal gift program to new levels of performance.

Portfolio Management & Fundraising

• Manage and advance a personal portfolio of ~25–40 qualified prospects and donors with the capacity to contribute $5M+ in gifts or investments.

• Design and execute highly customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each prospect.

• Partner with board members, executive leadership, and senior program staff to engage and inspire prospects through strategic involvement and impact-driven proposals.

• Represent the organization at the highest level, communicating its vision, mission, and strategic priorities with clarity, enthusiasm, and credibility.

• Deliver between $5-$25M annually in charitable investments.

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive principal gifts strategy aligned with organizational goals and philanthropic priorities.

• Establish measurable goals, performance metrics, and reporting mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability.

• Collaborate with colleagues across development, communications, and program areas to align principal gift efforts with campaigns and organizational initiatives.

• Ensure principal gift strategies are fully integrated with the organization’s broader fundraising programs, including major gifts, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations.

Team Management

• Supervise and mentor a small team focused on principal gift-level work, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and results.

• Provide strategic guidance, coaching, and professional development to team members within and outside of Advancement.

• Build and maintain a shared prospect pipeline to ensure long-term principal gift success.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the Board, board committees, and senior leadership to engage them in fundraising efforts and equip them with tools for effective donor engagement.

• Partner with physicians, principal investigators, and program leaders to connect prospects with organizational priorities and emerging opportunities.

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders regarding principal gift strategy and donor relationships.

Reporting Relationships

• Chief Development Officer / Senior Vice President of Advancement

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Bachelor's degree required, Advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with a track record of closing gifts at the $5M+ level.

• Demonstrated success building and leading principal gift programs in a complex, mission driven organization.

• Experience engaging high-level volunteers, corporate leaders, and philanthropic investors.

• Supervisory experience required, with proven ability to mentor and inspire high-performing teams.

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.

• High emotional intelligence, discretion, and the ability to navigate sensitive relationships.

• Deep commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature.

• Some travel required.

• This position will need to be Chicago based, and while some remote work is possible, the successful candidate will need to present at the flagship hospital on a regular basis.