Program Director - Principal 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 Principal Gifts 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.  

The Program Director will provide highly organized, coordinated and collaborative project management and program direction for the Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives Team.  The position provides a fascinating window into the inner workings of principal and major gift initiatives aimed at maximizing lifetime donor engagement for the benefit of MD Anderson.   

The Program Director will serve as a partner to the Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives team and will lead and operationalize administrative and project coordination to support the high-functioning performance of principal gift activities and strategies across the division and institution.  This team member interacts collaboratively with the Office of the Chief Philanthropy Officer (OCPO), senior leadership team (SLT) members and staff across Philanthropy, as well as the institution to track, facilitate and ensure the accuracy and quality of generated data reflecting principal gift management, ultimately informing the team on measures that impact campaign targets and objectives.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Fundraising Business Operations (50%)

Management of fundraising business operations which may include communication dissemination, management of the accuracy and quality of program data, proposal activity and forecast coordination for campaign alignment, individual gift officer performance tracking for portfolio optimization.

·         Establish, maintain and cascade standard operating procedures for collaborative principal gift prospect management and presidential and executive leadership engagement.

·         Drive systems for tracking and monitoring advancement of fundraising priorities, as well as required PGT briefings developed for the Presidents’ Office, OCPO, and other faculty according to Philanthropy procedures and processes.  

·         Proactively coordinate the agenda preparation for PGT meetings with the CPO, Senior Leadership Team and collaborative development staff (prospect development, donor relations, communications), as well as collaborate on related Campaign and BOV Committee meetings. 

·         Proficiency in complex fundraising operation and donor life cycle.

·         Oversee adherence to team communication channel management.

Leadership & Project Direction (25%)

Lead and direct projects for various team initiatives that improve performance or increase operational efficiencies.  Knowledge of divisional goals and how they relate to the institution’s strategic plan. Ability to recognize gaps, alert key stakeholders and collaborate to create solutions. Ability to explain concepts and ideas to various divisional staff levels. Possesses basic project management skills. Ability to see a project to fruition. Acknowledge setbacks and redirect course. Accepting and responsive to feedback.  Passion for continual improvement and approaches work with a growth mindset.

·         Drive alignment and completion of principal gift donor strategy and /or developing campaign initiative work plans across Philanthropy, prioritizing action items and creating timelines and monitoring practices.

·         Drive, facilitate, monitor and track strategy and analytics related to PGT activities and advancement of principal gift constituents, inclusive of PGT top prospects, signature priority, alignment, and targeted proposals. 

·         Lead prioritization and coordination of principal gift prospect engagement for Presidential meetings/trips.

·         Oversee the advance development of all team presentations and associated materials submitted to the OCPO, SLT, and other PGT related meetings with divisional staff. 

·         Oversee principal gift proposal activity and rolling forecast (measurement/progress to campaign metrics).

·         Decision-making and execution with consideration to divisional/institutional impact.

·         Lead metrics oversight for portfolio optimization.

Consultation with Critical Evaluation (25%)

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 Philanthropy resource related to operations of the Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives team.

·         Oversee and evaluate the quality of all briefing correspondence and communication materials with the President’s Office, OCPO, SLT and PGT constituents.