Director, Major Gifts

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. It was named the nation's No. 1 hospital for cancer care in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-2023 rankings. It is one of the nation's original three comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The Major Gifts team is dedicated to securing sustained transformational philanthropic support for MD Anderson Cancer Center by engaging with new and existing donors across the United States.  Major Gift officers heavily prospect for new donor opportunities and plan/execute on deeply meaningful cultivation strategies for high net-worth constituents and stakeholders (new and established) for the purpose of soliciting and closing high six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts.  The division carries forth all fundraising efforts with a donor-centric focus and gift officers are empowered to maximize the donor’s engagement experience through meaningful moves along carefully planned strategies that align donor passions with areas in need of philanthropic support.   

In advancement of the institution’s largest philanthropic campaign in history, MD Anderson is seeking a Director, Major Gifts to join the Individual Giving team.  The Director, Major Gifts will heavily prospect for major gift donors in a designated travel territory, conceptualizing highly customized cultivation strategies for individual constituents and stakeholders to personally solicit and secure philanthropic gifts in excess of $100,000 for the institution’s fundraising priorities.  In partnership with Planned Giving colleagues, this gift officer will also qualify for and present opportunities for planned gifts.  This development professional will be highly adept in matching donor interests with institutional fundraising priorities.  This professional will work alongside institution Faculty, volunteers, and leadership as part of cultivating prospective donors and grateful families.  The Director will pursue growth and sustainability of an individual portfolio comprised of approximately 75 constituents, meaningfully engaging all donors in his/her/their accountability and establishing a constituent portfolio that generates a minimum of $5-6 million in gift revenue annually.   

In addition to personal accountability to donors under assignment, the Director may also serve as a Squad Leader, offering supervision and management to a team of Individual Giving officers.  The Director may provide supervision and management to a squad of major gift officers and serve as an inspirational leader to the team.  Leading by example, this collaborative fundraising partner will model MD Anderson’s Core Values in all aspects of securing funds in support of the institution.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Consultation with Critical Evaluation (40%)

Provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders utilizing subject matter expertise. Use critical evaluation skills to interpret information and make business decisions and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders. Serve as a strategy expert for Major Giving.

Stakeholder Engagement (40%)

Display the ability to qualify, cultivate and solicit high net worth donors ($1-5M; multiple Board of Visitor members) to the institution.  Display social awareness, professional etiquette, and the ability to interact and build rapport with donors, faculty and institutional leaders. Engage with diverse constituencies with social fluency and garner their trust as to influence donor behavior.  Appropriately align donors to giving opportunities and orchestrate and facilitate meaningful engagements.

Leadership and Project Management (20%)

Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision making around donor 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. Manages people managers, staffs divisional and institutional projects.