Organization Overview
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California (RMHCSC or the Chapter) is headquartered in Los Angeles and serves families across Southern California through a network of seven Ronald McDonald Houses located in Bakersfield, Inland Empire, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, and Westside Los Angeles. RMHCSC also operates Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital, and Ventura County Medical Center, as well as Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times—a cost-free, medically supervised camp for children with cancer and their families.
RMHCSC is a $20 million nonprofit organization led by a highly engaged volunteer fiduciary Board of Directors. Each House and Camp is overseen by its own Executive Director and advisory board. These leaders report to the Program Support Center (PSC), the Chapter’s central office, which is managed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Our dynamic community thrives on teamwork, collaboration, trust, and mutual support.
Position Summary
As RMHCSC continues to pursue its vision for growth and impact, the organization is seeking its first Senior Major Gift Officer (SMGO) for the Chapter. This newly created role is a senior member of the Program Support Center team and a key strategic partner to the CEO.
The SMGO will work closely with the CEO to design and execute a comprehensive major gifts strategy for the Chapter and will support Executive Directors in developing strategies for high-profile donors, as needed. This is an outward-facing leadership role focused on cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts, and on strategically leveraging the CEO, Board of Directors, and Executive Directors in high-level donor engagement.
The SMGO will be accountable for raising $2.3 million annually in support of the Program Support Center and Chapter-wide priorities.
This role requires comfort operating in a federated, multi-site nonprofit structure, balancing direct donor relationships with influence-based leadership across programs.
Responsibilities
Essential Responsibilities
Major Gifts Strategy & Execution
- Partner with the CEO to develop and refine the Chapter’s major gifts strategy, including portfolio segmentation, moves management standards, and CEO/Board engagement models.
- Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 70 top prospects and donors, with a focus on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Research, qualify, and cultivate high-capacity donors, including building and managing a dedicated portfolio of approximately 25 prospects for the CEO.
- Help establish and promote best practices for major gift fundraising across the Chapter in collaboration with development and program leadership.
- Accountable for raising $2.3 million annually for the Program Support Center through a combination of individual, corporate, and foundation major gifts.
Donor Research & Portfolio Management
- Conduct and oversee prospect research, providing the CEO with concise donor profiles and strategic briefings.
- Track all donor activity, strategies, and stewardship notes in Raiser’s Edge.
- Build long-term, values-aligned relationships with donors, foundations, and key stakeholders.
CEO, Board & Executive Director Partnership
- Strategically leverage the CEO in high-level donor cultivation and solicitation, including preparation, strategy development, and follow-up.
- Partner with Executive Directors on six-figure and above gift opportunities, identifying where CEO involvement will enhance outcomes.
- Serve as a thought partner and resource to Executive Directors to support major gift growth as needed. • Support and guide Chapter Board members in meaningful donor engagement, including preparation for solicitations and stewardship activities.
Collaboration & Culture
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and compassionately with staff, volunteers, and donors across diverse programs and geographies.
- In partnership with the Development Senior Manager, Corporate & Community Partnerships, steward corporate growth through cause marketing initiatives, advancing opportunities that align corporate partners with RMHCSC programs, campaigns, and brand values.
- Act as a brand steward, upholding RMHC Global brand standards and ensuring consistency in messaging and donor experience.
- Participate in the leadership team’s cohesive partnership coordination.
Who Will Thrive in This Role
The ideal candidate will:
- Be a seasoned major gifts professional who enjoys partnering with a high-performing CEO and volunteer leaders.
- Be comfortable navigating complexity, shared ownership, and ambiguity in a federated nonprofit environment.
- Bring strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and a relationship-centered fundraising approach.
- Have experience working with boards and senior leaders in donor cultivation and solicitation.
- Be motivated by mission, impact, and collaboration.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of experience in major gifts or senior-level fundraising, preferably in a multi-site or complex nonprofit organization.
- Proven track record of closing five- and six figure gifts.
- Experience working closely with CEOs and boards in fundraising.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or comparable CRM systems.
Compensation
This position offers a base salary of $120,000 to $140,000 plus bonus and comprehensive benefits, based upon qualifications and experience.
Please send resumes to:
Maven Executive Search
For a confidential conversation email/call:
Nicole Seipel
[email protected]
(310) 948-2535
Direct all correspondence to Maven Executive Search. Any correspondence made to RMHCSC will be redirected to Maven Executive Search.
RMHCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
