Associate Director, Principal Gifts Communications

About the Foundation

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, in partnership with Stanford Medicine and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, unlocks philanthropy to transform health for children and families in Northern California—and around the world. Through fundraising and grantmaking, the Foundation drives scientific research, innovation, and policy change that will improve care, advance cures, and reform healthcare systems for this and future generations.

Main Focus

Reporting to the Director of Strategic Communications, Principal Gifts on the Donor Relations team, you will serve as a strategic thought partner. You will bring your persuasive writing skills and expertise in communications strategy to build and further relationships with the Foundation’s principal donors.

Location

Local candidates are preferred for a hybrid schedule, though fully remote candidates will be considered. If a remote candidate is selected, compensation will be adjusted for their geographic location.

What You’ll Do

As the Associate Director, Principal Gifts Communications, you will partner closely with Principal Gift Officers and faculty to translate their research ideas into compelling philanthropic communications, including proposals, case statements, vision documents, impact reports, talking points, stewardship letters, and other communications.

The compensation range for the role is $120k–$127k annually.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Partnering with gift officers to shape the communication strategy for principal gift donors.
• Developing inspiring, custom communication pieces to build relationships with principal donors. This includes interviewing faculty and translating their research into a compelling vision, writing proposals, whitepapers, stewardship reports, and other materials.
• Crafting talking points, briefings, and messaging for faculty and leadership for donor meetings, events, etc.
• Managing various communication projects simultaneously and coordinating reviews by internal and external partners.
• Tracking and managing project timelines while adhering to deadlines.
• Serving as a trusted source of information about maternal and child healthcare programs and pediatric research at Stanford.
• Collaborating across internal and external teams to share resources and ensure consistent messaging.
• Working with designers to guide the development of compelling visuals.
• Ensuring all communications align with the Lucile Packard Foundation and Stanford Medicine Children’s Health brand.
• Leading projects with freelance writers, consultants, designers, and other vendors.
• Recommending new approaches and processes to improve efficiencies across the Foundation.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

You Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience with increasing responsibilities.
• Interest in and basic knowledge of science and medicine.
• Experience creating donor-facing materials in medical research, higher education fundraising, or complex contexts.
• Ability to translate scientific/medical concepts into lay language and synthesize material from multiple sources.
• Experience managing multiple tasks simultaneously, coordinating contributors, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

It’s an Added Plus If You Have Experience With

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or writing.
• Education or experience in writing about medicine, biology, or scientific research.
• Experience working in fundraising or a nonprofit environment.
• Prior experience with Raiser’s Edge or other nonprofit database software.
• Experience using project management tools such as Monday.com.
• Proficiency with Adobe InDesign.

You’ll Be Successful If You…

• Are an exceptional writer and communicator with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Can present, write, edit, and organize thoughts clearly for print, online, and other media.
• Have the ability to persuade audiences to take action through your writing.
• Have strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, especially in grasping complex technical information.
• Are creative in solving problems and developing strategic communications.
• Can adapt your writing style to fit different audiences and media.
• Have high attention to detail with strong copyediting and proofing skills.

You Have Strong Organizational and Project Management Skills

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate contributors, prioritize schedules, and meet deadlines.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to work independently in a team environment.

You Are Highly Collaborative

• Ability to work closely with gift officers, designers, and other team members.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders and faculty.
• Willingness to accept and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders.
• Experience partnering with designers or communications agencies.

You Are Adaptable and Flexible

• Ability to listen and meet gift officer needs and goals.
• High tolerance for ambiguity in a complex work environment.

You Possess Sound Judgment

• Ability to navigate multiple organizational needs and balance client needs diplomatically.
• Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality and complying with HIPAA regulations.

Working at the Foundation

We Offer Excellent Benefits & Perks, Including

• Generous leave, including PTO, holidays, Summer Fridays, and a sabbatical after 7 years.
• Annual bonus.
• Retirement plan with employer match.
• Premium medical and dental coverage.
• FSA + dependent care FSA.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Legal services plan.
• Commuter benefits, including CalTrain “Go Pass” program.
• 4-week paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents.
• Stipend for home office and mobile phone.
• If remote, frequent opportunities to visit HQ in Palo Alto.

We’re Dynamic

The Foundation is a dynamic organization in a rapidly changing industry. Responsibilities associated with this position will evolve as the Foundation grows.

We Strive to Embody Our Cultural Touchstones

• Mission-first: We never lose sight of our purpose.
• Good of the whole: We share responsibility for overall results and act as stewards of resources.
• Bold and bendy: We are ambitious for our mission, creative, and willing to take risks.
• Sweat the big stuff: We prioritize effort and resources based on audience and impact.
• Make it happen: We are focused on outcomes and prioritize action.
• Community matters: We embrace diversity and inclusion.

We’re Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The Foundation celebrates the unique differences each individual brings to the team. We encourage every employee to bring their authentic selves to work and provide opportunities for them to achieve their full potential.

We envision a world where race, gender, resources, and other factors do not serve as barriers to optimal health. Achieving this vision requires commitment from everyone.

We Pledge To

• Conduct ourselves in a manner that garners trust and respect.
• Foster a welcoming environment for our team and community.
• Acknowledge the dignity, expertise, and contributions of others.
• Approach others with an open mind and compassionate heart.
• Foster teamwork and collaboration.

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

#LI-Hybrid

Pay Range:
120,000 – 127,000 USD per year (Palo Alto, CA).

Learn more here