Creative Director

The Creative Director role leads the creative team that translates Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's philanthropic mission into compelling storytelling, brand expression, and integrated creative campaigns supporting the division's fundraising and donor engagement goals. Partnering with Philanthropy Communications and Integrated Marketing leadership, this role shapes the creative and narrative direction of that work, sets the standard for craft and storytelling across disciplines, and directs, develops, and structures the team behind it.

The role demands as much rigor in building the team as in the work itself. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Philanthropy Brand Communications.

This position's work location is fully remote with occasional time on-campus in Brookline, MA. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations.

We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the creative lead for the Division of Philanthropy, shaping how Dana-Farber’s mission and impact are communicated through brand storytelling and integrated campaigns. Partner with senior marketing leadership to align creative strategy with fundraising priorities and institutional goals.
• Develop and lead creative strategies for major fundraising initiatives, including donor communications and integrated marketing across the Division. Translate institutional priorities, fundraising objectives, and audience insights into compelling creative approaches and storytelling frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end creative development across channels, from concept through execution for print, digital, video, social, photography, and experiential donor engagement. Ensure integrated creative approaches connect platforms and touchpoints into a cohesive narrative.
• Use insights to strengthen performance and engagement, applying audience research, performance data, and campaign learnings to refine strategy and improve storytelling and design effectiveness. Balance creative intuition with data-informed decision-making to drive measurable impact.
• Steward and evolve brand standards within philanthropic communications, maintaining consistency for Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund while encouraging thoughtful innovation. Review and guide creative work to uphold high standards of design quality, storytelling, and brand alignment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver cohesive campaigns, partnering with Integrated Philanthropy Marketing, Philanthropy Communications, fundraising teams, writers, strategists, and digital teams. Serve as a creative advisor across the Division, including reviewing results with partners and applying learnings to future work.
• Lead, mentor, and strengthen the creative function and operations, guiding designers and art directors through clear direction, feedback, and development. Improve processes and workflows, ensure on-time/on-budget delivery, manage freelance/vendor relationships, and contribute to planning and strategic discussions that shape philanthropy marketing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

REQUIRED:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across a People leadership:
  Mentoring and growing creative teams, setting direction and standards, managing budgets/timelines/vendors, and improving workflows.
• Industry and design knowledge:
  Expertise in design thinking, typography, and layout, as well as other forms of marketing.
• Data and…