The Advisor, Programs serves as a strategic and operational leader responsible for the development, management, and execution of a national fundraising program area. This role provides subject matter expertise across strategy creation, risk mitigation, cross‑functional alignment, and continuous improvement. The Advisor drives program excellence through data‑informed decision‑making, relationship cultivation, and consistent application of program standards across all markets.

This position requires strong operational judgment, a deep understanding of peer‑to‑peer fundraising and endurance‑based models, and the ability to influence teams without direct authority while safeguarding organizational brand and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership

• Develop and oversee national program strategies that align with ALSAC’s long‑term strategic plan and fundraising objectives.
• Identify and advance key initiatives that elevate program performance and deepen impact for St. Jude.
• Lead continuous improvement through performance analysis, test‑and‑learn opportunities, market insights, and post‑program evaluation.

Program Management & Operational Execution

• Oversee day‑to‑day management of the assigned program area, ensuring adherence to core standards, fiscal guidelines, and timeline controls.
• Train market teams on measurable strategies, emerging trends, and priority focus areas designed to strengthen market penetration.
• Lead critical operational elements of national endurance partnerships, providing hands‑on guidance for high‑impact or complex program components.

Risk, Policy & Compliance Oversight

• Proactively identify, monitor, and mitigate legal, financial, and brand risk across the program portfolio.
• Partner with Legal to ensure regulatory compliance in all applicable states and counties.
• Own and define program‑level policies related to fundraising structures, participant benefits, recognition, eligibility, and participant experience.
• Approve or guide precedent‑setting exceptions that may impact long‑term program integrity.

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Serve as the connective strategic partner across Marketing, Operations, ECC, ITS, Finance, Supply Chain, and Territory teams.
• Align cross‑functional teams to program strategy, policies, timelines, and expected outcomes.
• Communicate insights, trends, and opportunities to internal stakeholders to drive organizational learning and future growth.

Stakeholder & Market Engagement

• Build and sustain relationships with internal and external partners to support program success.
• Develop market mailing schedules and determine selects using data segmentation, partner insights, and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with Marketing on the creation of campaign assets, printed materials, and communication strategies.
• Represent ALSAC/St. Jude at industry events, enhancing organizational reputation and building awareness of program impact.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Requires Travel at least 50% of the time including nights and weekends
• Strong operational judgment in complex, fast‑moving environments.
• Deep understanding of peer‑to‑peer fundraising and endurance event models.
• Ability to influence outcomes across teams without direct authority.
• Exceptional synthesis, prioritization, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing contracts, vendors, and cross‑functional execution.
• Knowledge of special events fundraising, budgeting, and internal communications.
• Familiarity with the active lifestyle industry preferred.
• Ability to understand complex instructions and data processing applications.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels.