Our mission is to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects by funding the most promising research.

To date, through 2023, The Children’s Heart Foundation has funded nearly $18 million of CHD research and scientific collaborations— driving breakthroughs that have improved survival rates, longevity, and quality of life for individuals living with CHDs in dramatic and life-changing ways. In many cases, we’ve provided start-up funding for research that have gone on to earn support from larger entities such as the National Institutes of Health or the U.S. Department of Defense, along with pharmaceutical and/or medical device industries. The research we fund is truly moving the needle.

CHD Research

The Children’s Heart Foundation exists for one reason: to fund the most promising congenital heart defect (CHD) research. Our vision is a world in which everyone born with a congenital heart defect has the chance to live a long, healthy life, and that eventually, CHDs will be eradicated altogether. CHF has four prongs of funding research including independent research funding, partnerships with the American Heart Association and Cardiac Networks United and a commitment to fund early career researchers. With the help of our volunteers and supporters, we are making great progress. Successful examples of CHF’s research funding include the Fontan pump, chest tube research, CPR research and a significant number of other initiatives. CHD research is heavily underfunded, particularly in children, and CHF works to illuminate the need for pediatric and underrepresented population research. More information on CHF’s almost $18M of funding support to 160 research projects and collaborations can be found here – Children’s Heart | Research & Impact | Funded CHD Research.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

The mission of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of CHDs by funding the most promising research. Our hope is that all children impacted by CHDs can live long, healthy lives. The Children’s Heart Foundation recognizes that CHD families span across all races, ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, languages, sexual orientations, national origins, and physical and cognitive abilities. We proudly celebrate diversity and recognize the need for representation and anti-racist efforts to achieve equity within The Children’s Heart Foundation and the field of CHD research. We pledge to work to create a more inclusive and equitable foundation for CHD patients, their families and caregivers, and CHD researchers

Purpose of the Position

The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization and its primary objective to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects (CHD) by funding the most promising research. This executive with be CHF’s primary spokesperson to all external and internal stakeholders, while focused on the continued growth and diversification of partnerships. The Chief Executive Officer will report to the Board of Directors and manage a leadership team including a Director of Executive, Region, and Volunteer Services, Director of Marketing and Communications, National Director of Development, and a Senior Director of Finance and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Establish current and long-range objectives, plans and policies, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, with special focus on funding research.
• Advises, guides, directs and authorizes major plans and organization procedures, consistent with established policies and Board approval.
• Oversee the adequacy, accuracy and sustainability of the organization’s financial structure.
• Reviews the operating results of the organization, compares them to established objectives and takes steps to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to correct unsatisfactory results.
• Establishes and maintains an effective system of communication throughout the organization.
• Ensure ongoing national programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, governance, and systems.
• Grow and develop an exceptional staff team, providing oversight, management, and professional development opportunities, and a spirit of engagement and work in learning and helping with specific staff functions.
• Perform staff reviews and monthly coaching sessions with an eye towards the discussion of professional goals and process improvement.

Revenue Generation and Disbursement

• Plans and directs all fundraising and operational activities providing income to the organization.
• Directs the day-to-day financial stability of the organization by managing income and expenses to result in funds to be used for research grants.
• Plans and directs the process for the Medical Advisory Board to receive, review and issue research grants in line with the organization’s mission.
• Represents the organization with major donors, volunteers, the financial community, and the public.
• Lead all high‐level fundraising for CHF, cultivating and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors and sponsors.
• Guide the growth and sustainability of CHF and oversee the development of systems and policies to support this structure.
• Establish our % per $ raised / $ to research goal within 5 years to continue the focus on funding as much research as possible. CHF currently sits at 45% $ raised / $ to research and is hoping to moving to 50% by the end of 2025

Board Relations

• Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; serve as ex‐ officio of the Board and its committees; seek and build board engagement with strategic direction.
• Ensure the fiscal integrity of CHF, including annual budgeting and regular financial reporting to the Board.
• Lead the staff and the Board in the establishment of new and sustainable sources of revenue for the organization, with a particular focus on developing strategic partnerships nationally.
• Ensure positive staff interaction and support among all members, provide opportunities for open communication and time for brainstorming.
• Work with the Board on Program expenses, and the best mix of those combined with research funded.

The Candidate

Qualifications

The Children’s Heart Foundation seeks an enthusiastic leader who values and embodies CHF’s mission to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of congenital heart defects by funding the most promising research. The ideal leader is dynamic, outgoing, and has extensive executive experience in the non-profit sector. The Chief Executive Office will be the primary ambassador of CHF, bringing vision and strategy to guide the organization forward, coupled with the business acumen and cultural awareness to further develop the organization.

Specific experience, qualifications and characteristics sought include:

• At least 7-10 years of senior leadership experience with oversight across multiple functional areas.
• Proven track record in non-profits across any thematic area. Healthcare and/or research experience is highly desired.
• Demonstrated track record of individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising.
• Strong fiscal management experience, including budgetary oversight and ideally, prior experience working with an organization’s finance/audit/investment committee.
• Comfort and track record providing interviews to news outlets, campaigning at events, and pushing policy initiatives forward at the local, state, and federal level.
• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills. Excitement for the mission and potential of Children’s Heart Foundation and the desire to develop its relationships across a broad range of stakeholders.
• A track-record of strategic development and deployment, integrating creative and new ideas to an organization.
• Energy, drive, and passion for continuous improvement, both personal and at an enterprise level. Commitment to staff development.
• Unquestionable professional ethics.

Education and/or Experience

• A master’s degree in related thematic area is preferred. A bachelor's degree or significant translatable experience will be considered.

Compensation

• A competitive compensation package will be provided to the finalist candidate. The estimated base compensation range is $175,000 - $200,000 plus bonus opportunity.

Click here to apply for this position and for additional information.

Children’s Heart Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.