The Organization
Chordoma is a rare bone cancer of the skull and spine. For 20 years, the Chordoma Foundation has been the constant for patients and families facing this disease: replacing fear and uncertainty with confidence, hope, and a clear path to the best possible future.
Through our global community of patients, family members, doctors, researchers, and other supporters, we’ve created a suite of educational and support resources, fostered a clinical network to help patients receive expert care, and made sustained investments in research that have helped transform chordoma from a disease with no effective drug options into one where multiple therapies are now improving patients’ lives. Behind our progress is a community of donors united by a conviction that chordoma can be solved, and willing to put significant resources behind it.
The Position
Now, our most impactful work is in front of us, as we take on a larger role in treatment development, streamline clinical trials, and drive toward the first drug approvals for chordoma. Realizing this future means taking on bigger challenges than ever before, and significantly growing resources to match our ambition. That’s where our Major Gift Officer comes in.
Reporting to the Head of Philanthropy, the Major Gift Officer will help lead our revenue growth by showing tangible progress to donors—progress now accelerating thanks to our one-of-akind patient-driven research lab and a prize program that is successfully spurring new drug discovery—and by inviting them to partner with us in the bigger, urgent work we must now take on together. You’ll have the autonomy to shape your portfolio, the flexibility of a fully remote, fast-moving team, and the opportunity to build genuine relationships across our community of patients, family members, and other supporters, all working to make chordoma a manageable disease.
This is a new, full-time, fully remote position, and we do not expect to return to an in-person office setting. The role includes frequent travel (up to 40%) for donor and prospect meetings as well as team and community events.
Role Overview
Relationship Building & Donor Engagement
- Build genuine, lasting relationships with donors and prospects
- Identify, qualify, and engage new major gift prospects, continuously building and refreshing your own pipeline
- Intentionally use the right channel at the right time (calls, texts, email, and in-person visits) to use resources efficiently and meet donors where they are
Communication 20% & Portfolio Strategy
- Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen engagement and increase giving over time
- Facilitate giving through various vehicles (outright gifts, pledges, donor-advised funds, stock gifts, employer matching, planned giving, and more) so donors can give in ways that suit them best
- Ensure donors receive timely, thoughtful recognition and see the impact of their generosity firsthand Relationship Building Systems 35% 10% Solicitation 35% Solicitation
Donor Communications & Cross-Team Collaboration
- Collaborate with Engagement staff to prepare warm, clear, persuasive donor communications, including proposals, impact reports, and stewardship materials
- Translate complex scientific and research initiatives into donor-centered funding opportunities people are excited to support
- Work hand-in-hand with Research and Patient Services staff to surface the most compelling funding needs and connect with patients and family members who wish to give back
Systems, Data & Tools
- Keep our CRM (Salesforce) useful and current by consistently recording interactions, strategies, and outcomes
- Leverage additional tech platforms—task and file management, wealth screening, prospect research, and AI tools—to drive revenue
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the Major Gift Officer position possesses the following competencies: Instills Trust Demonstrates SelfAwareness Interpersonal Savvy
Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
Persuades: Using compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others.
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
Demonstrates SelfAwareness: Using a combination of feedback and reflection to gain insight into personal strengths and weaknesses.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
Additional Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- At least five years of experience in major gift fundraising, sales, or a related field
- A proven track record of beating revenue targets, with a clear pattern of year-over-year growth
- Comfort and skill making direct solicitations
- Ability to translate complex scientific and medical information into clear, compelling, donor-centered communications, preferably demonstrated through experience in healthcare, medical research, or gratefulpatient fundraising
- Extraordinary relationship-building skills, with the ability to build close, trusting relationships with donors, colleagues, and other stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to leverage technology to work efficiently
- High levels of drive, intrinsic motivation, and self-sufficiency
Who We Are
Work Environment The Chordoma Foundation is a fully remote, highly nimble, efficient, and tech-enabled team, with the ability to work from anywhere in the US and substantial schedule flexibility. You’ll work alongside personable, hard-working, and high-performing colleagues who are deeply committed to our day-to-day work, the people we serve, and each other—and you’ll build genuine connections with the patients and families whose lives your work will touch.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary
The salary range for this position is $110,000–$140,000, depending on experience, along with a performance-based bonus. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, as outlined below.
Benefits
- 100% employer-sponsored health and dental insurance plans
- Life, vision, and disability insurance
- 401(k) account with company matching
- 11 company holidays plus 20 days of annual paid time off
- Eligibility for paid sabbaticals at 5 and 10 years of tenure
- Support for professional development, learning, and skills building
In addition, you’ll enjoy
- A fully remote role with the ability to work from anywhere in the US
- Substantial schedule flexibility
- A highly nimble, efficient, and tech-enabled work environment
- Personable, hard-working, and high-performing colleagues who are deeply committed to our work, the people we serve, and each other
- Genuine connections with the patients and families whose lives your work will touch
How to Apply
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply, even if you do not meet every qualification outlined above.
