Director of Development, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

Posted Jul 27, 2026

The Director of Development will direct the overall strategy and fundraising operation on behalf of Johns Hopkins University and for a smaller development office (DOFF), department, area or division. The Director will play a significant role in department or DOFF operations, which includes serving as a member of its senior administrative team, and providing substantial input into the strategy and management of its philanthropic priorities and stewardship including major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, annual giving, and constituent engagement and may include oversight of other portfolios such as corporate and foundation giving, alumni relations, stewardship and events. The Director will manage and set goals for a team in support of Johns Hopkins’ ambitious fundraising goals.

The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery currently raises $1M-$2M annually in philanthropic support but is poised for significant growth as it expands its faculty, clinical programs, research enterprise, educational initiatives, and global reach. This role will be responsible for building a proactive and sophisticated fundraising program capable of identifying, cultivating, and securing support from major donors, grateful patients, foundations, alumni, and other philanthropic partners.

The Director of Development will serve as the department’s chief fundraising strategist and build and manage a comprehensive major and principal gifts program. Working in close partnership with Dr. St. John, faculty leaders, grateful patients, alumni, and institutional partners, the Director of Development will develop and execute fundraising strategies that secure critical support for research, education, and patient care, and strategic initiatives.

Founded in 1914, the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has over a century of history in clinical excellence and research innovation. It pioneered American sinus surgery, established the first US temporal bone lab, and is a global leader in cancer care. Today, the department is directed by renowned surgeon and physician-scientist Dr. Maie St. John, MD, PhD, Andelot Professor of Laryngology and Otology.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Lead a complex team of professional and support staff, including directing personnel actions such as hiring, performance appraisals, promotions and transfers, and vacations schedules, among others. Direct reports will typically include at least two fundraising professionals, and will include an additional area such as communications, finance or data.
Implement fundraising strategies and priorities for a complex division or department(s). Evaluate and update strategies as needed to meet long- and short-range goals and objectives to ensure the successful completion of individual and cumulative team solicitation and fundraising goals. Oversee the strategy and execution of all stewardship efforts for specific department(s) and/or division(s).
Create and implement strategies for pipeline building through data analytics and outreach.
Oversee, mentor, and motivate team members by assigning tasks, monitoring performance, resolving conflicts and ensuring compliance with JHU policies to achieve organizational goals. Ensure that the team is well-supported to reach its goals and is engaged in activities that support development in various parts of the organization.
Align team activities towards building, strengthening, and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders to advance departmental and organizational priorities.
Cultivate and maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift level donors and prospects, engage directly in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, foundations, and/or corporations. Individual fundraising goals should consistently be $1M or greater.
Develop and execute personalized cultivation strategies to engage and build relationships with prospects.
Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty and administrative leaders and fundraise to support and execute their vision for the particular unit. Work with the leader to maximize the appeal and giving potential for donors by shaping and refining the philanthropic strategy for the assigned unit. Create strong working relationships with the various divisions and departments across the university.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of school/divisional/departmental mission, history, teaching, research, and/or clinical programs to effectively communicate funding opportunities. Stay abreast of school/divisional/departmental collaborative partnerships, priorities, and shared goals. Train and debrief internal colleagues on current priorities and cases for support.
Lead the recruitment and management of the department’s volunteers and advisory board, leveraging volunteerism toward giving.
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and ethical standards. Advocate and ensure donor intent is honored in funds distribution and utilization. Represent the department(s) and/or division at public events and speaking engagements.
May manage personnel and operating budgets directly or at the direction of a senior leader.
Collaborate with DAR leadership on high-priority, high-visibility tasks.
Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above, the Director of Development will:

Collaborate directly and autonomously with the Chief Administrator and Chief Financial Officer to advance department-wide strategic priorities and fundraising initiatives, including budget planning, revenue projections, and philanthropic forecasting. Ensure clear, consistent communication and alignment with the Department Chair and Chief Administrator.
Oversee the development team’s operations, including gift processing, donor acknowledgments, and stewardship, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and full compliance with donor intent and organizational standards.
Partner effectively and transparently with development colleagues across JHM, particularly within the National Capital Region-affiliated hospitals and practices, to advanced shared fundraising priorities, support the needs of faculty and patient care teams, and ensure philanthropic opportunities are aligned with both departmental objectives and the strategic goals of partner institutions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree.
Seven years professional level related experience, including one year of supervisory/management experience.
Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree (Master’s or JD).
Higher education and/or academic medical center fundraising experience
Proven solicitation success at the major gift ($100k+) level. Strong preference for success at the seven-figure level.
Supervisory experience of other frontline fundraisers, including mentorship of early career staff
Experience setting vision and multi-lateral goals for a team
Experience leading large-scale or cross functional initiatives or projects
Possess leadership characteristics in the following areas:
Build effective networks and working relationships
Consistently manage, encourage, and provide feedback to others to strengthen skills and fulfill job requirements
Show a commitment to building consensus and collaboration while holding self and others accountable
Lead by example in adaptability and empathy
Act with authenticity, transparency
Navigate the organization with purpose, focused on vision, mission and strategy.
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
Familiarity working in a CRM system.

Classified Title: Director Development Job Posting Title (Working Title): Director of Development, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG Starting Salary Range: Minimum: $99,799 - Maximum: $174,999 (targeted salary: $150k; commensurate with experience) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm FLSA Status: Exempt Location: School of Medicine - East Baltimore Campus Department name: 10003222-SOM Admin FJHM Oto Head and Neck Surgery Personnel area: School of Medicine

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This salary range does not include all components of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery compensation program. This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Therefore, the actual compensation paid to the selected candidate may vary slightly from the salary range stated herein. For more information, please contact the hiring department.