Vice President of Advancement

Title: VP of Advancement                                         

Reports to: CEO

Status: Salaried, Exempt                                           

Location: Seattle, WA, or Remote Home Office

Foundation Overview: 

The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For more than 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope. Learn more at www.themaxfoundation.org.

Role Summary: 

The Vice President of Advancement reports to the CEO and leads the organization’s comprehensive advancement strategy, encompassing fundraising, strategic partnerships, and revenue‑generating collaborations that sustain and expand The Max Foundation’s mission to accelerate health equity globally. This executive role is responsible for setting vision and direction for all development activities while also building and stewarding high‑impact partnerships with private sector companies, foundations, and public sector stakeholders.

The VP of Advancement serves as a key organizational leader and advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, driving diversified and sustainable revenue growth through philanthropy, corporate engagement, and innovative partnership models. This role oversees a high‑performing advancement team and works cross‑functionally to align external relationships with organizational priorities, ensuring long‑term financial health and strategic growth.

Responsibilities:

Works on behalf of the CEO to provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all advancement functions, including fundraising and strategic partnerships

Acts as a key decision‑maker for the organization, providing expert counsel on opportunities and risks related to revenue growth, partnerships, and external engagement, including decisions with significant organization-wide impact

Collaborates closely with the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors to shape and implement a long‑term advancement strategy aligned with organizational goals

Sets the people strategy for advancement, including hiring, mentoring, and managing a high‑performing team spanning fundraising, private sector partnerships, and innovative financial models

Represents The Max Foundation externally as a senior leader and spokesperson, and in the absence of the CEO when appropriate

Designs and implements a diversified advancement strategy to expand, broaden, and sustain revenue from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other institutional partners

Leads the development and execution of annual and multi‑year fundraising plans, budgets, and performance targets

Oversees donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to build long‑term, values‑aligned relationships

Identifies and pursues new revenue opportunities that align with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities

Leads the organization’s approach to building and managing strategic partnerships with private sector companies and other external stakeholders

Develops partnership models that move beyond project‑based support toward deeper, longer‑term collaborations

Cultivates and maintains a strong external network and influences partners at senior and executive levels

Works cross‑functionally to ensure partnerships are well‑aligned, mutually beneficial, and effectively supported internally

Fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the advancement function

Oversees the work of consultants and external partners supporting advancement initiatives

Ensures systems, processes, and metrics are in place to support effective advancement operations and decision‑making

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a related field required

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in development, advancement, business development, or partnership‑driven roles, preferably within global health or other mission‑driven international development organizations

Demonstrated success in building and executing diversified revenue strategies at scale, including individual, corporate, and institutional funding

Proven ability to cultivate and manage senior‑level external relationships and partnerships, including engagement with executive leaders and boards

Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams, managing complex initiatives, and delivering results in fast-paced environments

Strong strategic, analytical, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to navigate complex, high‑impact organizational decisions

Experience working in a global, multicultural environment across time zones and diverse teams

Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; additional language proficiency (e.g., French or Spanish) a plus

Willing and able to travel domestically and internationally, on occasion

Skills and Attributes:

Passionate about The Max Foundation’s mission and vision, and determined to lead and accomplish all goals related to current and future strategic plans

An open innovative, growth mindset, able to visualize and implement novel revenue models in line with the highly innovative approach of the organization

High attention to detail and a high standard for quality work product

Deep understanding of and comfortable in a global environment, with an emphasis on low and middle-income countries

Passion for exceptional collaboration, and flexibility to do what it takes to elevate positive culture

Comfort working in a complex, fast-paced, and high-workload environment

Caring, humble, and people-oriented servant leader

Team oriented, ability to listen and engage internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives.

Resourceful, decisive, and comfortable with ambiguity with the ability to drive solutions using available data and insights to overcome challenges impacting the organization

Benefits Summary:

Employer-sponsored benefits include:

100% medical, dental, and vision premium coverage for employees; 50% premium coverage for spouse and/or dependents

Annual vacation accrual 80 hours (increases over time), personal time accrual of 104 hours, 12 paid company holidays, and 2 floating holidays per year

$10,000 Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage; Short-term disability insurance

Additional benefits include:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Optional employee covered Long Term Disability and Supplemental Life Insurance

Eligibility for our Safe Harbor 401k plan participation after 3 months of employment, including Max-paid 3% non-elective contribution regardless of participation

Monthly wellness benefit (earn up to $70/month), Costco membership, and WFH/Commuter Stipend ($1,800/year)

Compensation: Typical hiring range for this role is $200,000 – $250,000 USD. Offers will factor in relevant candidate qualifications, cost of labor, pay equity, and geographical location. No relocation provided; remote location possible.

To Apply: Visit our website at https://themaxfoundation.org/careers/ to apply. Please include a resume and cover letter.

The Max Foundation is dedicated to diversity in staff and is an equal opportunity employer.