Associate Director, Major Gifts

Associate Director, Major Gifts

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is dedicated to advancing cancer care, research, education, and prevention through world-class clinical expertise and innovative discovery. The Major Gifts team is focused on securing transformational philanthropic support by engaging new and existing donors across the United States, aligning donor passions with institutional priorities, and cultivating meaningful long-term relationships.

The Associate Director, Major Gifts plays a critical role in expanding philanthropic support through strategic donor engagement, customized cultivation plans, and successful solicitation of six and seven-figure gifts. The Associate Director, Major Gifts will manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects while collaborating with institutional leaders, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues to advance fundraising goals. The Associate Director, Major Gifts may also provide leadership and supervision to team members while modeling UT MD Anderson’s core values.

The ideal candidate will have current experience in the Division of Philanthropy and has demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors; experience managing complex donor portfolios and fundraising strategies; strong relationship-building and communication skills; and the ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues. Experience with planned giving discussions, donor qualification, and securing six and seven-figure philanthropic gifts is highly desirable. Education, experience, and licensure preferences were not provided.

Position Information Salary Range: Minimum $100,000 ($48.08/hour) – Midpoint $114,000 ($54.81/hour) – Maximum $128,000 ($61.54/hour)

Work Location: Remote 

Typical Work Schedule: Days

Why Us? At UT MD Anderson, philanthropy directly supports groundbreaking cancer research, patient care, education, and prevention initiatives. This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful donor relationships, contribute to transformational fundraising outcomes, collaborate with renowned institutional leaders and faculty, and grow professionally while supporting a mission that impacts patients and families worldwide. • Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance. • Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options. • Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups. • Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.  

Responsibilities Stakeholder Engagement • Qualify, cultivate, and solicit new donors for the institution through strategic relationship-building activities. • Build rapport and credibility with donors, faculty, institutional leaders, and stakeholders. • Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 75 individual donors and prospects. • Pursue donor prospects with capacity for six and seven-figure philanthropic support. • Conduct ongoing donor investigation and qualification activities to identify giving opportunities. • Generate new donor engagement through grateful patient, annual fund, volunteer leadership, and other referral sources. • Foster relationships with Board of Visitors members, campaign volunteers, Advance Team members, and institutional colleagues. • Expand the donor base throughout Houston, Texas, and across the nation. • Network regularly with donors and prospective donors to strengthen engagement and identify new opportunities. • Solicit and secure six and seven-figure gifts that generate significant new revenue for the institution.  

Perception and Attentiveness • Assess prospective donor interests and align them with institutional fundraising priorities. • Organize and present information in thoughtful and engaging ways. • Maintain awareness of donor activity, institutional priorities, and cross-functional initiatives. • Navigate and collaborate with prospect teams to advance donor cultivation and stewardship efforts. • Develop cultivation, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned donors within a designated geographic territory. • Execute customized donor engagement strategies that strengthen donor relationships and maximize giving opportunities. • Partner with Planned Giving colleagues to identify opportunities involving complex assets, trusts, and estate gifts. • Provide accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual gift revenue forecasts. • Identify opportunities to increase donor investment while understanding donor timelines and readiness.  

Collaboration & Teaming • Partner with donors, peers, faculty, leadership, and volunteers on fundraising strategy development and execution. • Build productive networks and participate in cross-functional activities that support stakeholder engagement. • Earn the trust and confidence of prospects, researchers, faculty, academic leaders, senior staff, and volunteers. • Support stakeholders throughout the fundraising and engagement process. • Provide supervision and management for Senior Administrative Assistants, Philanthropy Specialists, and/or Assistant Directors, Major Gifts, when assigned. • Model UT MD Anderson’s core values in all aspects of fundraising and professional conduct. • Contribute to collaborative work teams and support initiatives that achieve organizational objectives.  

Performance Expectations • Establish and sustain a high-performing donor portfolio generating a minimum of $3 million in annual gift revenue. • Personally engage all assigned donors through meaningful and strategic interactions. • Match donor interests with institutional priorities to maximize philanthropic impact. • Support the institution’s historic fundraising campaign through effective donor development and stewardship activities.

EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 5 years Direct fundraising experience.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition. This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment. It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Bachelor's degree required; 5 years direct fundraising experience; ability to manage a portfolio generating $3M annually; must maintain security and integrity of critical infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• cultivating donors
• soliciting gifts
• managing portfolio

Job Details

• Category: Business Development
• Seniority: Senior Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — United States
• Salary: USD 100,000 – 128,000 / year
• Languages: English

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan

About The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

A cancer center dedicated to advancing cancer care, research, education, and prevention through world-class clinical expertise and innovative discovery. — Industry: Healthcare