Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy ( Donor Communications )

MISSION STATEMENT 

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. Our mission is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public. With a vision to be the premier cancer center in the world — based on the excellence of our people, our research-driven patient care and our science — we are Making Cancer History^®. 

MD Anderson has more than 26,000 employees including over 1,900 faculty members and approximately 1,500 onsite and offsite volunteers. 

SUMMARY 

The Senior Associate Director, Donor Communications is charged with advancing MD Anderson’s fundraising efforts by providing a range of donor communications support, including project planning and execution, donor strategy guidance, writing, editing, formatting and fundraising priority education. This includes initiating and managing complex projects, working independently, collaborating with other teams in Institutional Affairs and Philanthropy, acting as a liaison with faculty experts and campus leaders, and advancing the success of the Donor Communications team through ongoing mentoring and/or management/supervision. 

A central focus of the role is leading the development of compelling proposals that align donor interests with institutional priorities. This requires differentiating MD Anderson from other cancer centers, translating complex research into lay language, conveying the impact of patient support programs, and personalizing content to inspire donors and reflect their values in the institution’s work. 

The ideal candidate will have experience with writing fundraising proposals, as well as be skilled in writing. Additionally, communications experience in fundraising is also preferred. 

JOB-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES 

1. Writing/editing/quality control – Write, edit, format and customize creative, concise and compelling fundraising and other donor engagement materials, including proposals, summaries, letters, impact reports, event collateral, video scripts and publications content in lay terms as needed by gift officers, other Philanthropy staff and the President’s Office. Protect and promote the brand and graphic standards of MD Anderson

    

    

    

2. Project management – Use institutional knowledge, experience and expertise to contribute to overall donor strategy (including campaign strategy) and lead/assist with team and division-wide projects as needed. Serve as content expert for institutional fundraising priorities, collaborating with Philanthropy leaders, priority faculty/executive leaders and others as needed to ensure consistent messaging in creation of principal-gift proposals and other collateral for donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Provide support for Philanthropy staff through materials shared in the Donor Communications Library. 

    

    

    

3. Innovation – Help develop and implement new ideas for the creation and ongoing improvement of campaign and other fundraising materials. 
    

    

    

4. Management/mentoring – Participate in overall team leadership/mentorship. Formally assist in training and mentoring of new team members; supervise and develop direct reports as applicable. Complete people leadership curriculum and continuing education. 

 Additional duties as assigned.

CORE VALUES 

Caring: By our words and actions we demonstrate caring toward everyone.  

• We are sensitive to the concerns of our patients, their loved ones and our colleagues.   

• We are respectful and courteous to each other and practice cultural humility.   

• We promote and reward teamwork.  

Integrity: We work together with professionalism to merit the trust of our colleagues and those we serve in all that we do.  

• We hold ourselves, and each other, accountable for our work – decisions and data – and for practicing our values and ethics.   

• We advocate for belonging for our workforce, for those we serve and for our community.   

• We communicate frequently, honestly, openly and responsibly.  

Discovery: We embrace creativity and seek new knowledge from different perspectives.  

• We encourage continuous learning, seeking out information and new ideas.   

• We team with each other to identify and resolve problems.   

• We seek personal growth and enable others to do so.  

Safety: We provide a safe environment – physically and psychologically – for our patients, for our colleagues and for our community.  

• We create a sense of security and empowerment and are committed to keeping one another free from harm.   

• We embrace a framework and best practices for the highest quality of care and service.   

• We inspire trust by modeling excellence in our work and acceptance of each person’s contributions.  

Stewardship: We protect and preserve our institutional reputation and the precious resources – people, time, financial and environmental – entrusted to us.  

• We prioritize the health and well-being of each other.   

• We act responsibly to safeguard the institution’s finances.   

• We ensure the proper care and use of time, data, materials, equipment and property afforded to us.