Executive Director, Institutional and Philanthropic Events Strategy, Execution and Team Leadership

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson 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.

The Executive Director, Institutional and Philanthropic Events Strategy, Execution and Team Leadership, leads a high-performing team responsible for the strategy, planning, and execution of institutional and philanthropic events that advance The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's mission to end cancer. This role oversees a comprehensive portfolio ranging from large-scale campaign launches, signature events, and major fundraisers to smaller, high-touch engagements such as donor-hosted events, institutional groundbreakings, and educational seminars in cities around the country.

Serving as a key leader within External Affairs, this individual drives innovative, high-impact event experiences that inspire stakeholder engagement and support philanthropic efforts, including UT MD Anderson's philanthropic campaigns, goals and objectives. The Executive Director provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and people leadership, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity and collaboration.

This role is responsible for establishing structured processes, ensuring financial rigor, and advancing the integration of event and CRM technologies to optimize engagement, gift processing and stewardship. The position requires both near-term execution and long-term strategic planning, establishing a forward-looking roadmap of at least 18 months.

The Executive Director builds and maintains strong, trusted relationships with institutional leadership, faculty, board members, donors, and cross-functional partners. As a senior advisor to the Vice President of External Affairs and a member of the External Affairs Leadership Team, this leader plays a critical role in shaping engagement strategies that elevate UT MD Anderson's mission and impact. This leader also serves as an important collaborator with other leaders to advance strategic and coordinated event execution through the triad model (External Affairs Events, Philanthropic Engagement and Philanthropy).

Event Strategy & Execution

• Oversee a broad event portfolio, including:
• Large-scale campaign launches, signature events, and major fundraising events
• Smaller-scale engagements such as donor-hosted events, groundbreakings, and seminars
• Design and deliver creative, compelling event experiences that inspire participation and deepen engagement
• Align event strategies with institutional priorities and philanthropic goals
• When appropriate, lead external events agency engagement with focus on high-level execution with stewardship in mind

Philanthropic Campaign Support

• Drive event strategy in support of UT MD Anderson's philanthropic campaigns, goals and objectives.
• Partner with leaders in Philanthropy, Philanthropic Engagement and Marketing to develop robust events strategy that accomplishes broader institutional goals
• Develop high-impact donor engagement events that advance giving priorities and strengthen relationships and deepen connection to our mission

Operational Excellence & Process Development

• Create and maintain structured processes for event planning, execution, and evaluation
• Define team workflows, event standards, and expectations
• Ensure consistent application of best practices across all events

Financial Management & Oversight

• Serve as the primary liaison with finance teams for all event-related budgeting activities
• Oversee budget development, forecasting, allocations, and post-event financial reconciliation
• Ensure financial literacy and accountability across the team

Technology & Systems Integration

• Lead the adoption and integration of event management platforms (e.g., Cvent) and institutional CRM systems
• Partner with Marketing and Philanthropy teams to streamline systems and improve efficiency in engagement tracking and gift processing

Strategic Planning

• Balance immediate event execution with long-term planning, maintaining a forward-looking…