Executive Director Foundation

We are recruiting for a motivated Executive Director Foundation to join our team!

We are here for life’s journey.
Where is your life journey taking you?

Being the heartbeat of Denver means our heart reflects something bigger than ourselves, something that connects us all:

Humanity in action, Triumph in hardship, Transformation in health.

Department

Foundation Administration

Job Summary

Reporting to the CEO, the Executive Director is the chief leader of the Denver Health Foundation, responsible for setting and executing the Foundation's strategic direction, cultivating a culture of philanthropy, and ensuring operational excellence. This role works closely with the Denver Health leadership team, the Foundation Board of Directors, and key community stakeholders to maximize philanthropic support.

Through collaborative relationships with donors, board members, Denver Health colleagues, grateful patients, community leaders and partners, the Executive Director will drive impactful giving that strengthens the long-term vitality of Denver Health and the well-being of the communities it serves.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Fund Development and Operational Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the Foundation Board of Directors to establish and champion fundraising priorities, providing strategic guidance and partnership to maximize impact.
  • Leads the development and execution of annual, capital, and endowment campaigns, leveraging data-informed insights, donor engagement strategies, and innovative fundraising approaches.
  • Cultivate a culture of philanthropy by championing and embedding a spirit of giving across Denver Health, inspiring leaders, staff, and community stakeholders to actively support the mission through philanthropy.
  • Oversees the design and implementation of high-impact initiatives—including major gift cultivation, proposal development, targeted appeals, and signature events—to drive sustainable philanthropic growth and elevate the Foundation’s mission and visibility.
  (20%)
• Strategic Alignment and Organizational Integration:
  • Develop, implement, and monitor a multi-year plan to grow philanthropic revenue and deepen donor engagement, ensuring alignment with Denver Health’s overall strategic plan and priorities.
  • Serves as a key advisor and partner to the CEO and Foundation Board Chair, fostering regular, high-level dialogue around philanthropic strategy, institutional priorities, and emerging opportunities.
  • Collaborates with senior leadership to align fundraising efforts with system-wide needs, while guiding the Foundation Board in the development of policies governing gift acceptance, fund management, and donor stewardship.
  • Establishes proactive communication channels with Denver Health leadership to ensure funding priorities are aligned with the system’s most pressing programmatic and strategic needs.
  (20%)
• Donor Development and Strategic Outreach:
  • Leads the cultivation and stewardship of major donors through personalized engagement strategies grounded in data-informed donor profiling.
  • Builds and nurtures strategic partnerships with local, regional and national foundations to expand philanthropic support and position Denver Health as a trusted and high-impact investment opportunity.
  • Actively promotes the visibility and reputation of both Denver Health and the Foundation, serving as a dynamic ambassador who strengthens community connections and advances the organization’s mission across diverse audiences.
  (15%)
• Planning and Strategy:
  • Assures coordination of Foundation activities with the mission and strategic agenda of Denver Health & Hospital Authority.
  • Meets regularly with the Board Chairman and CEO of Denver Health to discuss issues and strategic activities, and with other Denver Health managers as needed.
  • With Foundation Board, develops policies regarding fund development, management and disbursement and other issues related to gift receipt and recognition.
  (15%)
• Data-Driven Strategy and Performance Metrics:
  • Oversees the development and implementation of robust data systems and performance metrics to track fundraising effectiveness, donor engagement, campaign performance, and operational efficiency.
  • Leverages analytics to inform strategic planning, guide resource allocation, and identify opportunities for growth and improvement across all philanthropic activities.
  • Ensures timely, accurate reporting to the CEO, Foundation Board, and executive leadership, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
  • Utilizes data insights to refine donor strategies, forecast revenue, and optimize operational decision-making in alignment with the mission and strategic objectives of Denver Health and Hospital Authority.
  (10%)
• Governance, Compliance, and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Ensures full compliance with all state and federal regulations governing non-profit organizations, including financial reporting and nonprofit status requirements.
  • Oversees adherence to the Foundation’s Investment Policy to maintain responsible and mission-aligned fund management.
  • Leads the preparation and dissemination of periodic and annual reports to communicate progress, impact, and transparency to stakeholders.
  • Designs and implements a comprehensive orientation program for new Foundation Board members and facilitates ongoing education to deepen board engagement with Denver Health’s mission, programs, and strategic direction.
  (10%)
• Talent Management and Leadership Development:
  • Fosters a high-performing, engaged team by providing the tools, support, and leadership necessary to drive collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.
  • Recruits, develops, and retains top talent while mentoring staff to build organizational capacity and ensure long-term succession planning.
  • Oversees all aspects of performance management and staff development within the Foundation and Volunteer Services teams.
  (10%)

Education:

• Master's Degree in Business or related field Required

Work Experience:

• 7-9 years senior fundraising and leadership experience Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience fundraising, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts for a complex organization.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing a highly skilled team toward executing a fundraising strategy and achieving goals while overseeing several time-sensitive and concurrent projects.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build meaningful relationships with various constituencies, including Board members. Communication skills that interact effectively with Denver Health’s current service/client base, prospective customers, and all levels of Denver Health management.
• The ability to understand and apply financial analyses including forecasting, assist exploring strategic options and develop creative solutions to complex government and business issues.
• The ability to interpret and analyze financial and statistical information.
• The ability to systematically gather information from a variety of sources, analyze information, identify implications of data, draw appropriate conclusions, generate viable alternative solutions to a question or problem and evaluate the consequences of choosing each alternative.
• Knowledge of Local, State and Federal requirements relating to non-profit status, management and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of fundraising in the health care industry.
• The ability to accurately record and acknowledge charitable gifts.

Shift

Work Type

Regular

Salary

$221,100.00 - $364,900.00 / yr

Benefits

• Outstanding benefits including up to 27 paid days off per year, immediate retirement plan employer contribution up to 9.5%, and generous medical plans

• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)

• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes

• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more

• Tuition reimbursement & assistance

• Education & development opportunities including career pathways and coaching

• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program 

• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

Our Values

• Respect

• Belonging

• Accountability

• Transparency

All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic health care system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, a Public Health Institute, an HMO and The Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net institution, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided billions in uncompensated care for the uninsured. Denver Health is viewed as an Anchor Institution for the community, focusing on hiring and purchasing locally as applicable, serving as a pillar for community needs, and caring for more than 185,000 individuals and 67,000 children a year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community.

Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.