VP, Chief Development Officer

Overview:

The Angeletti Group invites nominations and applications for the position of Vice President/Chief Development Officer (VP/CDO) for Bassett Healthcare Network (Bassett). Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated healthcare system serving communities throughout Central New York through five hospitals, health centers, physician practices, and a broad network of community based services. Through Friends of Bassett, its philanthropic partner, Bassett advances philanthropy in support of exceptional patient care, medical education, research, and community health. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead philanthropy for a leading independent rural healthcare system. Working closely with executive leadership, the Friends of Bassett Board, physicians, volunteers, donors, and community leaders, the VP/CDO will strengthen a comprehensive fundraising program while helping advance Bassett’s strategic priorities and mission. As Bassett continues to invest in workforce development, expanded access to care, technology, medical education, and clinical excellence, the next Vice President/Chief Development Officer will have the opportunity to build upon a strong philanthropic foundation while advancing strategic fundraising initiatives that support Bassett's mission and long-term priorities.

 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. To be considered, candidates should submit a statement of interest and CV/resumé to The Angeletti Group at search@theangelettigroup.com. Nominations and confidential inquiries can be made to: Suzanne Albin The Angeletti Group (973) 540-1400 search@theangelettigroup.com

Department Overview (Text Only): For more than a century, Bassett Healthcare Network has been a trusted healthcare leader serving  the communities of Central New York. Recognized for delivering high-quality care in a rural setting,  Bassett has built a reputation for combining clinical excellence, medical education, research, and  compassionate, patient-centered care with a deep commitment to the communities it serves.  A longstanding affiliation with Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons  enhances Bassett's role as a leader in physician education and academic medicine, while fostering  innovation and collaboration across the Network. This commitment to excellence is reflected in  recent achievements, including Magnet® designation for nursing excellence, one of the  profession's highest honors.  Guided by a mission to improve the health of the people and communities it serves, Bassett fosters  a culture rooted in collaboration, compassion, innovation, and service. Employees and physicians  are drawn to the organization by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, build lasting  relationships with patients and colleagues, and help shape the future of healthcare in rural  communities.  Beyond its role as a healthcare provider, Bassett Healthcare Network is a significant economic and  civic force throughout Central New York. The Network supports approximately 7,500 jobs,  generates an estimated $1.75 billion in economic activity, and provides $156 million in community  benefits and investments, underscoring its broad impact on the health and vitality of the region.    The Vice President/Chief Development Officer serves as Bassett Healthcare Network’s senior fundraising executive, leading a comprehensive philanthropy program through Friends of Bassett. Reporting to senior leadership, the VP/CDO provides strategic direction for fundraising while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Friends of Bassett Board. The VP/CDO will lead the development team, maintain an active portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and position philanthropy as a strategic partner in advancing Bassett's mission and long-term priorities. Responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Provide Strategic Leadership for Philanthropy 
• Develop and execute a comprehensive philanthropy strategy that advances Bassett 
Healthcare Network's priorities in patient care, medical education, clinical research, 
workforce development, physician recruitment, technology, and community health.  
• Position philanthropy to accelerate Bassett’s strategic initiatives by aligning donor interests 
with the organization’s highest priorities.  
• Build and strengthen a culture of philanthropy throughout the network by helping 
leadership, physicians, clinicians, directors, volunteers, and staff recognize opportunities 
to engage donors and connect philanthropic investment with institutional priorities. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Friends of Bassett Board on 
philanthropic opportunities, emerging trends, and fundraising strategy.  

Lead Comprehensive Fundraising Efforts 
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all fundraising activities, including major 
gifts, principal gifts, planned giving, annual giving, grateful patient philanthropy, corporate 
and foundation relations, special events, and future campaign initiatives.  
• Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 30 to 50 leadership and principal gift 
prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding transformational philanthropic 
investments.  
• Partner with executive leadership, physicians, trustees, and volunteers to develop and 
implement strategies for significant gift opportunities.  
• Translate Bassett's strategic priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities that 
inspire donor investment and long-term engagement.  

Partner with Physicians, Leadership, and Friends of Bassett Board 
• Build strong relationships with physicians, clinical leaders, researchers, administrators, 
and other key stakeholders to identify philanthropic priorities and align donor interests with 
Bassett’s strategic priorities.  
• Serve as the primary staff partner to the Friends of Bassett Board, ensuring trustees are 
informed, engaged, and equipped to serve as effective ambassadors and philanthropic 
leaders.  
• Support Board recruitment, orientation, committee work, quarterly meetings, and ongoing 
trustee development.  
• Foster productive collaboration among physicians, leadership, trustees, volunteers, and 
development staff to strengthen philanthropic support throughout the organization. 

Cultivate Meaningful Donor Relationships 
• Ensure exceptional stewardship practices that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy 
through meaningful donor communications, recognition, reporting, and engagement.  
• Strengthen grateful patient philanthropy and other donor engagement initiatives that 
connect supporters with Bassett's mission and the lives their generosity changes.  
• Represent Bassett Healthcare Network and Friends of Bassett at community events, donor 
gatherings, and professional functions, serving as a visible ambassador for the 
organization.  
• Build and sustain relationships with donors, prospects, community leaders, foundations, 
corporations, and professional advisors to expand philanthropic support.

 
Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team 
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and retain a talented development team while fostering a culture 
of collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous learning.  
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and performance measures that support professional 
growth and organizational success.  
• Encourage innovation and continuous improvement while ensuring alignment with 
Bassett's mission, values, and strategic priorities.  

Strengthen Operations and Stewardship 
• Establish departmental priorities and oversee the annual operating budget to ensure the 
effective use of resources.  
• Oversee fundraising operations, including donor data management, CRM strategy, 
prospect management, reporting, gift administration, and fundraising analytics.  
• Ensure all philanthropic activities comply with applicable laws, privacy regulations, ethical 
fundraising standards, and organizational policies.  
• Continuously evaluate and strengthen development systems, processes, and performance 
metrics to support long-term fundraising success. 

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will bring many of the following qualifications and attributes: 

• Bachelor's degree required; degrees in business, nonprofit management, communications, 
organizational leadership, or a related field are preferred. An advanced degree and/or 
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is desirable.  
• At least seven years of progressively responsible fundraising leadership experience, 
preferably within healthcare or another complex nonprofit organization. 
• Demonstrated record of securing major gifts and leading comprehensive fundraising 
programs that include planned giving, annual giving, grateful patient philanthropy, 
fundraising events, operations, and financial management.  
• Experience leading a capital campaign is highly desirable.  
• Demonstrated success partnering with executive leadership, governing boards, physicians, 
clinicians, and other key stakeholders to advance organizational priorities and 
philanthropic initiatives.  
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-performing teams while fostering a culture 
of collaboration, transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.  
• Strategic, data-informed leader with the ability to translate organizational priorities into 
compelling philanthropic opportunities and measurable results, while effectively managing 
complexity and driving execution.  
• Collaborative leadership style with the judgment, executive presence, and diplomacy to 
build trust, lead through influence, and thoughtfully advance organizational change.  
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with the integrity, emotional 
intelligence, and professionalism needed to engage sophisticated donors, volunteer 
leaders, physicians, and community partners. 

Total Rewards:

Bassett Healthcare Network’s commitment to our employees includes benefit programs carefully designed with the needs and values of all our employees in mind. Many of the benefits we offer are paid fully or in large part by Bassett. Our generous benefits offerings include:  

• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability protection
• Retirement benefits including an employer match 
• And more!

Specific benefit offerings may vary by location and/or position.

Pay Transparency Statement (Text Only): Salary is based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and fair market evaluation based on industry standards. The above compensation range represents a good faith belief of the compensation range by Bassett Healthcare Network, and its entities and affiliates, at the time of this posting or advertisement. Min: USD $190,112.00/Yr. Max: USD $285,168.00/Yr. EEO Statement (Text Only): We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related condition), age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), genetic predisposition or carrier status, military or veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status protected by law.