Job Description

For over 35 years, the Children’s Inn at NIH has provided a free, family-centered “Place Like Home” for young patients participating in groundbreaking clinical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Transformative advancements in treating childhood leukemia, sickle cell disease, HIV/AIDS, rare genetic disorders, and serious pediatric mental health conditions have been made possible, in part, because children who might not otherwise be able to join clinical trials could stay at The Inn throughout treatment. The Inn’s mission and its proximity to the NIH campus have made it a vital partner in advancing medical discoveries that inform and improve global public health.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and serving as a key member of the Executive Team, the Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer (CPCO) will be a strategic partner to the CEO and Board, shaping the vision, strategy, and execution of all fundraising and related communications initiatives. Leading a team of 13, including six direct reports, you will oversee an established $6M annual portfolio spanning individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, and events, supported by a communications strategy that amplifies philanthropic priorities and conveys impact through family-centered storytelling and scientific partnership. Building on a record of consistent growth and campaign momentum, The Inn is poised to expand both the reach and sophistication of its fundraising enterprise.

The Inn is entering an exciting period of transformation with the anticipated 2027 completion of the Inn of Tomorrow, a $55 million capital campaign that will expand capacity and services for up to 3,000 children, teens, and young adults each year. As The Inn prepares for its next strategic planning cycle, the CPCO will play a central role in defining the future of philanthropy and engagement, leading the final public phase of the campaign, stewarding long-term relationships, and ensuring donor communications and messaging continue to inspire sustained investment well beyond campaign close. Looking ahead, you will build on this momentum to position The Inn for its next chapter of growth, visibility, and impact.

How You’ll Make an Impact

You’ll be stepping into a mature philanthropic program with strong donor loyalty, disciplined portfolio management, and an updated communications roadmap already underway. Your challenge will be to build on this foundation with data-informed, relationship-centered strategies that meet donors and funders where they are today.

Development and Fundraising

• Philanthropy Strategy. Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports short- and long-term revenue goals. Strengthen donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement to deepen relationships and increase giving, including donor club strategies that support retention and upgrading. Manage fundraising events that contribute to annual support and special programs.
• Philanthropic Partnerships and Pipeline Growth. Strengthen and grow giving pipelines across high-profile individuals, corporations, foundations, and other institutional partners. Oversee the development of compelling proposals for local and national funders. Guide strategies to significantly expand planned giving participation, ensuring policies, training, and infrastructure support bequests and deferred gifts.
• Special Campaign Initiatives. Lead the planning and execution of capital and endowment campaigns, including feasibility studies, case for support development, and campaign staffing and volunteer engagement.

Communications

• Strategy and Brand Alignment. Lead a communications strategy that advances fundraising goals, strengthens donor engagement, and emphasizes The Inn’s dual role as a family-centered support and partner in scientific advancement. Ensure consistent messaging across all channels. Coordinate with the NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison to align on shared priorities.
• Development Communications and Materials. Oversee the development of promotional and fundraising materials, including newsletters, annual reports, brochures, and press releases, ensuring stories and messaging highlight The Inn’s mission and the impact of philanthropic support.
• Digital Engagement and Outreach. Oversee a digital presence that reflects development priorities and meets donors where they connect and give today. Guide content strategy across the website and social media platforms to support donor cultivation and raise awareness.
• Media Relations and External Representation. Cultivate relationships with local and national media outlets and pursue opportunities for earned media coverage. Represent The Inn at community and fundraising events.

Executive and Team Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Resource Development Committee to engage Board members and volunteers in cultivation and solicitation. Ensure systems and policies uphold regulatory, reputational, and ethical standards, and monitor risk in alignment with The Inn’s risk management frameworks.
• Provide supportive leadership, clear expectations, and systems for accountability to an experienced development and communications team. Ensure team members leverage available tools effectively.
• Mentor team members and support professional development, skill-building, and advancement. Recruit and train new staff as needed.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This position offers a hybrid work environment with regular, structured on-site engagement at The Inn. Because this leader shapes our philanthropic strategy and institutional narrative, direct presence with the families, programs, and colleagues at the heart of our mission is essential to authentic storytelling and effective collaboration. On-site engagement is structured with flexibility based on role needs and organizational priorities.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $235K - $250K with an outstanding benefits package that includes 20 days of vacation leave; personal, sick, and volunteer leave; 11 paid company holidays; medical, dental, and vision coverage with an FSA option; life and AD&D insurance; long- and short-term disability insurance; a 401(k) with a Safe Harbor contribution, discretionary match, and discretionary profit-sharing contribution; tuition reimbursement; and a home office stipend.
• You will be joining a high-energy, collegial, mission-driven team that keeps processes streamlined so we can focus on what matters most. You will have both the autonomy and the support to make an immediate and meaningful impact. For the children and families we serve, each day holds the possibility of moving from hope to healing. Every member of our staff plays a role in making that possible.

Qualifications

• Experience and Leadership. At least 15 years of progressive fundraising and development leadership experience, including oversight of individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, planned giving, and special events, plus five years leading and developing professional staff. Demonstrated success engaging and influencing volunteers, Board members, consultants, and campaign leaders.
• Strategic and Functional Expertise. Proven ability to lead an integrated development and communications function that includes messaging, case for support development, digital fundraising, and board and donor impact reporting. Strong record of building data-informed, relationship-centered strategies that deepen donor loyalty and expand giving pipelines across individuals, corporations, foundations, and other institutional partners.
• Communication and Mission Alignment. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey vision, impact, and urgency to diverse audiences clearly, persuasively, and with empathy. Deep personal commitment to the mission, values, and community of The Children’s Inn. Experience in health care or children’s services preferred, with an understanding of mission-centered storytelling and multi-stakeholder environments.

About The Children’s Inn

The Children’s Inn’s mission is to provide a free “Place Like Home” to children and young adult NIH patients while they participate in life-changing clinical research studies at the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center. Everything we do strives to reduce the burden of illness on families, make childhood possible and help advance NIH clinical research.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.

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