Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy

Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy

Summary


The Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives team is dedicated to securing transformational gifts in support of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's initiatives of highest value and priority. Gifts are secured and supported in partnership with Presidential and institutional leadership, as well as in collaboration with MD Anderson's network of committed Board of Visitors, faculty, major and planned gifts officers, and other volunteers that engage individuals in gifts of significance for the institution's initiatives. An integral part of the Principal Gifts Team is implementing and planning cultivation strategies for ultra-high net-worth constituents and stakeholders (new and established) for the purpose of securing philanthropic gifts of $5 million and more.


Reporting to the Sr. Director, Philanthropy (Institutional Fundraising Review Process), the Sr. Associate Director, Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing principal gift-level donor engagement and major philanthropic partnerships within an academic medical center fundraising environment. This position is responsible for leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects that support strategic cultivation and stewardship efforts. The Sr. Associate Director collaborates across departments to coordinate timelines, manage competing priorities, and ensure alignment with institutional goals.


Key responsibilities include overseeing priority development and management activities of multiple fundraising priorities, preparing materials for high-profile committee meetings and leadership presentations, and tracking key performance indicators to monitor progress toward fundraising objectives. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience in project management, exceptional organizational skills, and a strategic mindset to support transformative philanthropic initiatives.


Ideal candidate Statement

This position is designated as a remote role, allowing the selected candidate to perform their responsibilities from any location. While remote, the role requires reliable virtual connectivity, active collaboration with team members across digital platforms, and adherence to standard business hours as applicable. Occasional in person meetings or travel may be requested with advance notice.

The ideal candidate for the Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy is a highly strategic and organized fundraising professional with experience supporting principal and major gift initiatives in a complex academic or healthcare environment. They bring strong project management expertise and a collaborative approach to leading multi-stakeholder efforts involving gift officers, faculty, executive leadership, and institutional partners, with a focus on advancing transformational gifts of $5 million or more. This individual excels at managing competing priorities, tracking KPIs, and translating institutional priorities into effective donor engagement strategies, while demonstrating exceptional communication skills, cultural and institutional awareness, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. Driven by mission and outcomes, they combine strategic insight with operational rigor to enhance team effectiveness and advance high-impact philanthropic partnerships.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Leadership and Project Management (45%)


Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision making around stakeholder relationships, special projects and initiatives and the orchestration of strategic approaches. Continuously capture and collect significant data points, execute on deliverables with precision, develop actionable strategies and allocate appropriate resources to execute work functions. Serve as a coach, mentor and sponsor, enabling others to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.

• Manage projects for principal and major gift-level donor engagement initiatives.

• Coordinate complex priority (both signature and institutional) development and management activities involving high-net-worth individuals and institutional partners, including a strong focus on gift officer enablement and education.

• Manage timelines and deliverables across multiple departments to support major philanthropic partnerships.

• Participate in strategic planning, outcomes development, and project execution as it relates to principal gift team operations.

• Develop and implement strategies, tools, and resources that enhance the efficiency of team operations.

Programmatic Project Execution (35%)


Consistently deliver skillful execution of team-specific work with an eye toward continuous improvement, while being aware of the impact of the team's work on and in partnership with others.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including gift officers, faculty, and executive leadership, to advance fundraising goals.

• Prepare and coordinate materials for high-profile committee meetings, donor-initiated events, and leadership presentations.

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and maintain dashboards to monitor progress toward strategic fundraising goals; utilize institutional CRM software for data management, tracking, and reporting responsibilities.

• Work co-operatively with all stakeholders, contribute to the success of collaborative work teams and support completion of initiatives or projects to achieved stated goals, with an eye toward continuous improvement, while being aware of the impact of work on and in partnership with others.

Perception and Attentiveness (20%)


Accurately assess interests, organize and present information in thoughtful and engaging ways, constantly shifting between multiple activities and sources of information, maintain situational awareness, cultural awareness, institutional awareness and adeptly navigate cross-functional teams in support of team and division plans.

• Navigate competing priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced fundraising environment.

• Ensure alignment of donor engagement strategies with fundraising priorities and campaign objectives.

• Facilitate cross-functional communication to ensure seamless execution of donor-related projects.

• Organize and present information in thoughtful and engaging ways, constantly shifting between multiple activities and sources of information, while maintaining situational awareness, cultural awareness, institutional awareness and adeptly navigating cross-functional teams in support of division plans.

EDUCATION
• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Preferred: Master's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: Six years or more experience in fundraising/non-profit, government agency, marketing, advertising, or public relations, law, healthcare or related industry. Demonstrated experience synthesizing complex information and engaging stakeholders in complex strategy discussions. and required two years Supervisory experience.
• Preferred Experience: Preferred experience includes project management for principal gift-level donor engagement, with a focus on development and management of fundraising priorities and collaborating across departments to advance major philanthropic partnerships. Demonstrated experience in an academic medical center or fundraising environment, managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and tight deadlines. Experience preparing and coordinating materials for high-profile meetings and leadership presentations. Experience tracking key performance indicators, managing dashboards and monitoring progress toward goals.
• 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 113.001(2) 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.