Vice President, Development
Sepsis Alliance
Location: Remote

Reports To: President and CEO

Employment Type: Full-time

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Sepsis Alliance
Sepsis Alliance, a leading patient advocacy organization, is saving lives and reducing suffering by improving sepsis awareness and care. Through Sepsis.org, Sepsis Alliance Institute, Sepsis Alliance Voices, and Sepsis Alliance Connect, Sepsis Alliance is providing healthcare professionals, the general public, and those touched by sepsis with the education, support, and advocacy to save lives and limbs. Sepsis Alliance is enacting and influencing positive change for the 1.7 million people diagnosed with sepsis each year, including the 350,000 adults and 6,800 children who die in the U.S. Infection prevention is sepsis prevention™. For more information on Sepsis Alliance, a GuideStar Platinum Rated and Charity Navigator Four-Star rated 501(c)(3) charity, visit www.sepsis.org.

Position Summary
Sepsis Alliance seeks an entrepreneurial, visionary, and results-driven Vice President, Development to lead and expand all aspects of fundraising, partnerships, and revenue generation during an exciting period of organizational growth. This senior executive will design and execute a comprehensive strategy that fuels Sepsis Alliance’s mission through individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation and government grants, and event-based fundraising.

Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Vice President, Development serves as a key member of the executive leadership team and manages a talented development staff, including a Senior Development Associate and a Senior Research Grants Manager. This leader will play a pivotal role in shaping Sepsis Alliance’s future, driving both short-term revenue and long-term sustainability, while elevating the organization’s national presence and philanthropic partnerships.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience across all major areas of development, from cultivating high-net-worth donors and building multi-year corporate partnerships to securing institutional funding and producing mission-driven events that inspire giving and awareness. They are equally comfortable crafting big-picture strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute it.

This is an opportunity to join a high-performing, mission-driven team at a transformative moment in the organization’s trajectory. The Vice President, Development will partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to grow impact, expand reach, and ensure Sepsis Alliance continues to save lives through education, advocacy, and awareness.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Development

• Lead and grow all aspects of revenue generation, including major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government support, and planned giving.
• Build a diversified fundraising portfolio with measurable short- and long-term goals to ensure financial sustainability.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and other strategic funders.
• Oversee prospect research, proposal development, and reporting to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and funding opportunities.
• Expand event-based fundraising, including national campaigns, signature events, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen engagement, grow networks, and advance philanthropic initiatives.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking for all development initiatives, including quarterly and annual projections.
• Manage fundraising systems and software (CRM, donor management, wealth screening tools) to track donor engagement, analyze performance, and enhance efficiency.
• Communicate fundraising goals and progress across the organization and empower staff to contribute to development success.
• Provide regular progress reports and strategic updates to the CEO, Committees, and the full Board of Directors.

Leadership and Strategy

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO and senior leadership in setting and executing Sepsis Alliance’s organizational and revenue strategy.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, integrated development plan that aligns with the organization’s strategic priorities and growth objectives.
• Build and maintain a strong, consistent national brand identity that elevates Sepsis Alliance’s visibility and credibility across audiences.
• Collaborate closely with program, communications, and advocacy teams to ensure development initiatives support mission impact and amplify organizational storytelling.
• Drive innovation by identifying new opportunities for partnerships, campaigns, and donor engagement.
• Represent Sepsis Alliance externally at conferences, donor meetings, and strategic events, serving as a visible ambassador for the organization.

Team Management and Culture

• Manage, mentor, and support a high-performing development team, including a Senior Development Associate and Senior Research and Grants Manager, fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Promote a culture of innovation, excellence, and collaboration within the development department and across the organization.
• Align team structure and resources to ensure effective execution of fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.
• Partner with HR and leadership to ensure development staffing and skill-building align with evolving organizational needs.
• Champion a culture of philanthropy across all departments, encouraging organization-wide participation in fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will possess:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a minimum of 3 years at a senior leadership level.
• Demonstrated success in individual giving, corporate partnerships, grant development, and event fundraising.
• Proven record of securing and managing six- and seven-figure gifts and grants.
• Expertise in building and soliciting a portfolio of high-net worth individuals.
• Experience managing and motivating a high-performing team; direct supervisory experience required.
• Expertise in corporate fundraising and cause-marketing strategy.
• Strong background in grants management and institutional fundraising.
• Skilled in event design, sponsorship, and donor engagement strategies.
• Experience managing budgets of $3M+ and leading multi-channel fundraising efforts.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into measurable results.
• CFRE and/or MBA preferred.
• Deep commitment to Sepsis Alliance’s mission and values, with integrity, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the values of Sepsis Alliance.

Workplace Culture and Benefits

Sepsis Alliance is committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and flexible workplace that values the well-being of all team members.

Compensation and Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $120k to $150k annually, commensurate with experience, responsibilities, and geographic location.

Health and Financial Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees

• 403(b) retirement plan with immediate eligibility

• Tuition assistance for eligible full-time employees after one year of service

• Monthly remote work stipend (currently $100/month)

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) through our 501(c)(3) status

Time Off and Wellness

• 15–20 vacation days per year based on tenure

• Paid sick and safe leave (40 hours annually)

• 10+ paid holidays per year including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Juneteenth

• Monthly Team Wellness Days (last Friday of each month, January–October)

• PTO day on your birthday

• Paid bereavement leave

• Paid time off for jury duty and voting as required by law

• Office closure between Christmas and New Years

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sepsis Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the hiring process in accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws