Director, Philanthropy - Houston, TX

At MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are relentless in our mission to end cancer. Every word we share with our donors helps drive life-saving discoveries, compassionate care, and bold innovation. As Associate Director, Donor Communications, you'll play a pivotal role in crafting the ...

Job description

At MD Anderson Cancer Center, we are relentless in our mission to end cancer. Every word we share with our donors helps drive life-saving discoveries, compassionate care, and bold innovation. As Associate Director, Donor Communications, you'll play a pivotal role in crafting the proposals and narratives that inspire major philanthropic investment in the world's leading cancer center. Your talent is more than valued, it's vital. Together, we can make cancer history, which is Only Possible Here .

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The Director, Philanthropy (Donor Communications) advances MD Anderson's fundraising efforts by providing comprehensive donor communications support. This position guides gift officers and institutional leaders on strategic donor engagement across print and digital channels; leads the planning and execution of complex communication projects; and writes, edits, and formats donor-facing documents.

The role includes extensive collaboration with teams across Institutional Affairs and Philanthropy, acting as a liaison with faculty experts and campus leaders, and contributing to the success of the Donor Communications team through management and/or mentoring of staff.

A significant focus of this position is the development of materials that support key touchpoints throughout the donor engagement timeline-from cultivation and solicitation to impact reporting. The director must understand institutional fundraising priorities and partner with team members to create innovative, compelling ways to present these priorities to donors. Particular emphasis will be placed on strategy and execution for principal-level ($5 million and above) cultivation, solicitation, and reporting. This includes ensuring a consistent narrative arc and adherence to brand standards across all documents.

The ideal candidate will be a strong project manager with demonstrated ability to build productive relationships and produce high-quality written and edited communications.

At MD Anderson, we offer careers built on care, growth, and balance. Our employees enjoy a benefits package designed to support every stage of life, starting on day one.

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups

Key Functions

Writing, Editing & Quality Control

• Write, edit, format, and tailor creative, concise, and compelling donor engagement materials-including cultivation summaries, proposals, and impact reports-for gift officers, the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and the President's Office.
• Collaborate with Donor Communications team members to elevate the quality of materials and ensure consistency in messaging across all communications.

Project Management

• Apply institutional knowledge and personal experience to contribute to donor strategy (including campaign strategy) and lead or assist with team and division-wide projects as needed.
• Serve as a content expert on institutional fundraising priorities, partnering with Philanthropy leaders and key faculty/executive stakeholders to ensure content accuracy and personalization.
• Support Philanthropy staff through resources maintained in the Donor Communications Library.

Management & Mentoring

• Act as a Donor Communications Lead, helping to shape team best practices around workflow, project management, and the development of cultivation pieces, proposals, and impact reports.
• Supervise and develop direct reports.
• Participate in onboarding, training, and mentoring of new team members.

Innovation

• Contribute to the development and implementation of new ideas that enhance campaign and other fundraising materials.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, and communication strategies to better engage and inspire donors.

Other duties as assigned.

Why Join MD Anderson

• Contribute your talent to a mission that saves lives.
• Shape donor communications that drive transformational philanthropy at a world-leading cancer center.
• Collaborate with visionary faculty, executive leaders, and passionate colleagues across Institutional Affairs and Philanthropy.
• Influence high-level strategy and craft materials for principal-level donors.
• Grow in a culture that values innovation, mentorship, and professional development.
• Do work that is meaningful, mission-driven, and Only Possible Here.

EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor's Degree

Preferred: Master's Degree

Work Experience
Required: Eight years experience in private fund development to include four years in a management role.

Preferred: Experience in fundraising/non-profit, government agency, marketing, advertising, or public relations, law, healthcare or related industry.

Successful completion of the LEADing Self Accelerate and/or LEADing Self Discover programs may substitute for one year of required supervisory or management experience. Completion of both programs can be substituted for a maximum of two years of supervisory or management experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, paid time off , retirement , tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 179039
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Work Week: Days
• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 92,500
• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 115,500
• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 138,500
• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type: Hard
• Work Location: Remote (within Texas only)
• Pivotal Position: Yes
• Referral Bonus Available?: Yes
• Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes