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. We secure gifts in partnership with institutional leadership and the MD Anderson network of Board of Visitors, faculty, major and planned gifts officers, and volunteers. The team plans cultivation strategies for ultra‑high net‑worth constituents to secure philanthropic gifts of $5 million or more.

The Sr. Associate Director reports to the Sr. Director, Philanthropy and plays a critical role in advancing principal‑gift‑level donor engagement and major philanthropic partnerships within an academic medical center fundraising environment. Responsibilities include managing complex multi‑stakeholder projects, coordinating timelines, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.

• Oversee priority development and management activities of multiple fundraising priorities.
• Prepare materials for high‑profile committee meetings and leadership presentations.
• Track key performance indicators to monitor progress toward fundraising objectives.
• Manage projects for principal and major gift‑level donor engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate complex priority development and management activities with high‑net‑worth individuals and institutional partners.
• Support gift officer enablement and education.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to advance fundraising goals.
• Maintain dashboards and use institutional CRM software for data management and reporting.
• Facilitate cross‑functional communication and ensure seamless execution of donor‑related projects.

Leadership & Project Management (45%)

• Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision‑making around stakeholder relationships.
• Allocate resources and coach team members.

Programmatic Project Execution (35%)

• Consistently deliver team‑specific work with focus on continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with faculty and executive leadership.
• Track KPIs and maintain dashboards.

Perception & Attentiveness (20%)

• Navigate competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Align donor‑engagement strategies with fundraising priorities.
• Facilitate communication across teams.

• Education –
  
  Required:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree;
  Preferred:
  Master’s Degree
• Work Experience –
  
  Required:
  
  Six years or more in fundraising/non‑profit, government, marketing, advertising, public relations, law, healthcare, or related industry; plus two years supervisory experience.
• Preferred:
  Experience in academic medical center or fundraising environment managing complex projects and coordinating high‑profile meetings.

• Must pass pre‑employment skills test as required by Human Resources.
• Knowledge of security and infrastructure requirements per Texas Business and Commerce Code section 113.001(2) may be required.

• Medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual/team recognition.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center provides 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 or federal, state, or local law.

• Requisition
• Employment Status:
  Full‑Time
• Employee Status:
  Regular
• Work Week:
  Days
• Minimum Salary: USD 77,500
• Midpoint Salary: USD 97,000
• Maximum Salary: USD 116,500
• FLSA:
  Exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
• Fund Type:
  Hard
• Work Location:
  
  Remote
• Pivotal Position:
  Yes
• Referral Bonus Available:
  No
• Relocation Assistance Available:
  Yes