Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy

Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy

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. 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.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Philanthropy (Institutional Fundraising Review Process), the Sr. Associate Director, Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing principal gift-level donor engagement and major philanthropic partnerships within an academic medical center fundraising environment. This position is responsible for leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects that support strategic cultivation and stewardship efforts. The Sr. Associate Director collaborates across departments to coordinate timelines, manage competing priorities, and ensure alignment with institutional goals.

Key responsibilities include overseeing priority development and management activities of multiple fundraising priorities, preparing materials for high-profile committee meetings and leadership presentations, and tracking key performance indicators to monitor progress toward fundraising objectives. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience in project management, exceptional organizational skills, and a strategic mindset to support transformative philanthropic initiatives.

This position is designated as a remote role, allowing the selected candidate to perform their responsibilities from any location. While remote, the role requires reliable virtual connectivity, active collaboration with team members across digital platforms, and adherence to standard business hours as applicable. Occasional in person meetings or travel may be requested with advance notice.

The ideal candidate for the Senior Associate Director, Philanthropy is a highly strategic and organized fundraising professional with experience supporting principal and major gift initiatives in a complex academic or healthcare environment. They bring strong project management expertise and a collaborative approach to leading multi-stakeholder efforts involving gift officers, faculty, executive leadership, and institutional partners, with a focus on advancing transformational gifts of $5 million or more.

This individual excels at managing competing priorities, tracking KPIs, and translating institutional priorities into effective donor engagement strategies, while demonstrating exceptional communication skills, cultural and institutional awareness, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. Driven by mission and outcomes, they combine strategic insight with operational rigor to enhance team effectiveness and advance high-impact philanthropic partnerships.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Leadership and Project Management (45%)

Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision making around stakeholder 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. Serve as a coach, mentor and sponsor, enabling others to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.

• Manage projects for principal and major gift-level donor engagement initiatives.
• Coordinate complex priority (both signature and institutional) development and management activities involving high-net-worth individuals and institutional partners, including a strong focus on gift officer enablement and education.
• Manage timelines and deliverables across…