Executive Strategist for Philanthropic Program Development

Job Summary:

The Executive Strategist for Philanthropic Program Development serves as a senior advisor, strategic partner, and hands-on operational leader, personally driving and executing all aspects of program development. This role will be housed in Advancement and report to the Vice Chancellor of Advancement. It will develop strategic plans and programs supporting philanthropic initiatives of $5 million or more, including the CU Anschutz Mental Health Collaborative. This position translates high-impact benefactor visions into sustainable, operational programs that align with the strategic priorities of CU Anschutz, the School of Medicine, and other campus partners.

Operating from a strategic vantage point within the campus, once gifts have been secured, the Executive Strategist for Philanthropic Program Development brings deep School of Medicine expertise in program development and operations -including financial planning and analysis, human resources, data, and technology. This role fosters trust-based collaboration across academic, clinical, educational, and administrative domains. The role partners with programmatic leaders to evaluate feasibility, monitor progress, and assess outcomes, ensuring decisions are informed by both data and values.

This role will facilitate structured decision-making processes-through project management, independent financial modeling, cost-benefit analysis, and operational strategy-ensuring philanthropic initiatives are not only visionary but executable, scalable, and aligned with the CU Anschutz vision.

Because of the prevalence of gifts at the $5M+ level in the School of Medicine, this position will maintain a deep understanding of the School of Medicine's financial and administrative systems and create synergy between the School of Medicine and the Office of Advancement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Program Planning, Development, & Operational Sustainability

* Serve as the primary administrative and strategic contact for a portfolio of select gifts of $5M+, including the Mental Health Collaborative and future initiatives.

* Create and oversee the design and monitoring of actions needed to achieve the operating goals and objectives of the benefactor's vision for major philanthropic gifts; sustaining a strong reputation for on-time and on-target performance.

* Lead the design and execution of multi-year strategic plans for key innovation areas funded by major philanthropic gifts.

* Independently maintain the administrative operationalization to support the successful support of philanthropic program development

* Translate the School of Medicine and CU Anschutz Mental Health Collaborative vision into clear operational strategies with defined goals, metrics, and milestones.

* Identify trends, risks, and emerging opportunities to inform strategic and programmatic operations for major philanthropic gifts.

* In partnership with the CU Anschutz advancement principal gift team, serve as the lead in program planning and development of major philanthropic gifts ($5M+), ensuring alignment with benefactor intent, institutional goals, and the core mission and values of CU Anschutz.

Consultative Leadership & Decision Support

* Transform conceptual frameworks into actionable strategies by assessing organizational capacity, resource allocation, and long-term sustainability to ensure effective development.

* Serve as a strategic advisor in executive-level forums, providing consultative insight into operational implications, financial risk analysis, and strategic opportunities, while ensuring responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

* Facilitate structured decision-making processes, leveraging reporting, dashboards, data, cost-benefit analysis, return-on-investment modeling, and feasibility assessments, to promote informed, values-aligned outcomes and shared understanding.

* Identify and address information gaps by leading efforts to collect relevant data and stakeholder input necessary for data-driven decision-making, strategic alignment and risk mitigation.

Collaborative Integration: Cross-Functional Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

* Facilitate cross-functional collaboration by partnering with units and mission areas across CU Anschutz, including advancement, philanthropic implementation, finance, academic, research, and healthcare leadership to ensure that philanthropic initiatives are seamlessly integrated into institutional operations and aligned with strategic priorities.

* Serve as a connector and strategic liaison between programmatic leaders and administrative teams, helping to translate donor intent into operational plans that reflect institutional values and capabilities.

Insight Development, Data Strategy & Strategic Impact Reporting and Communication

* Lead a comprehensive approach to insight generation, data strategy, and impact evaluation, ensuring that leadership decisions are grounded in robust evidence, stakeholder input, and institutional alignment.

* To support clarity, transparency, and strategic alignment, the Executive Strategist for Philanthropic Program Development partners with campus resources, but solely drives the creation of a range of data visualization tools and techniques, including, but not limited to: interactive dashboards, executive briefing templates, scenario modeling tools, visualization of cost-benefit analyses, ROI projections, feasibility assessments, infographics and strategic reports, data mapping and heatmaps, and custom visuals for stakeholder engagement.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Philanthropy brings people together; it's a driving force in accelerating the pace of discovery, attracting and retaining excellent students and faculty, and delivering world-class prevention and care.

At the CU Anschutz Office of Advancement, we put our passions to work.

We have the privilege to collaborate with people who want to make a difference in the world - people who want to make an impact on humanity that may be felt long after they have passed. Our office exists to ensure stakeholders within and outside the university know, value, and support the important work being done on this academic medical campus.

To learn more about the Office of Advancement, click here.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

* Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in complex, mission-driven environments, including higher education, academic medical centers, non-profit organizations, or philanthropic institutions

* Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the University of Colorado's finance and business operations

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Master's or advanced degree preferred in Business Administration, Finance, Organizational Leadership, or related field

* Experience in end-to-end program development, including developing, implementing, and sustaining strategic plans and program strategies

* Experience translating high-impact philanthropic visions into sustainable and scalable strategic plans and programs

* Deep knowledge of CU Anschutz School of Medicine finance and business operations

* Project management certification: PMI-CAPM (Certificate Associate in Project Management), PMI-PMP (Project Management Professional), or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

* Expertise in financial modeling, ROI analysis, feasibility assessments, and operational strategy, with a consistent record of delivering results through structured decision-making and collaborative leadership.

* Demonstrates the ability to think strategically while executing operational details

* Proven ability to lead through influence, confidently navigating ambiguity and complexity within matrixed organizations to align strategy with mission, values, and donor intent.

* Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a track record of cultivating deep, authentic relationships that foster collaboration, trust, and shared accountability.

* Demonstrated success in leading complex, cross-sector initiatives across administrative, academic, clinical, and research domains, with measurable outcomes in strategic planning, program implementation, and stakeholder engagement.

* Entrepreneurial mindset, with a history of identifying opportunities, mobilizing resources, and driving innovation in higher education, academic medical centers, and non-profit environments.

* Skilled in building and leading high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Resume

3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Lindsey Fouquette, lindsey.fouquette@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until January 22, 2026. Applications must be submitted on or before January 22nd at midnight.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as $133,413 - $224,135 annually.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.