Philanthropy Director

We are partnering with a leading international institution in Lausanne seeking a:

Director of Philanthropy

This is a leadership position responsible for building a high-impact development function, strengthening donor relationships, and significantly increasing private funding streams. You will play a key role in positioning the organization as a compelling cause for investment among alumni, foundations, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership

Define and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy (short-, mid-, and long-term)

Identify strategic funding priorities

Develop compelling value propositions and cases for support aligned with organizational goals

• Major Donor Engagement

Build and manage a portfolio of key donors and prospects

Lead end-to-end major gift initiatives (identification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure)

Establish long-term, high-value relationships with donors and partners

• Community & Alumni Activation

Leverage alumni and community networks to strengthen engagement and giving

Design and deliver targeted fundraising campaigns and initiatives

Foster a strong culture of philanthropy and belonging

• Governance & Performance

Define KPIs and track fundraising performance (pipeline, conversion, revenue)

Implement tools and processes to manage donor relationships effectively

Report regularly to senior leadership on progress and impact

• Leadership & Collaboration

Build, lead and develop a team of 4

Work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders

Act as a key ambassador at events and in external engagements

Profile

-Minimum 10 years of professional experience in fundraising, philanthropy, or strategic business development

-Strong ability to design and execute high-impact strategies

-Experience managing senior stakeholders within complex ecosystems

-Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong results orientation

-Excellent communication and influencing skills

Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities

-Strategic thinking combined with execution excellence

Experience with CRM tools and performance tracking

-Fluent in French and English (written and spoken). German is an asset.

Why join?

Opportunity to shape and scale a strategic function from a leadership position

High-visibility role with direct impact on organizational growth and influence

International environment with diverse stakeholders

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