Senior Director, Major Gifts

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Brookline, MA

Overview

The Senior Director, Major Gifts raises funds from individuals, families, and family foundations for priorities in research and care across Dana-Farber. The position is responsible for 1.) the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and close gifts of $100,000+ in support of research, care, and Institute priorities and 2.) management of 2-4 fundraisers at the Director and/ or Associate Director level. Responsible for assisting the entire Division reach financial goals. Reports to the Assistant Vice President of Major Gifts.

The onboarding of this role will include a comprehensive training process which includes completion of online modules, shadowing colleagues, as well as hands-on learning experiences throughout the first calendar year in the role.

Embody Dana-Farber’s Core Values: Impact; Excellence; Compassion & Respect; Discovery; and Equity and Inclusion every day. Add value to the Dana-Farber community by seeking opportunities to collaborate across the Institute. Foster an ethical, positive, results-oriented culture founded on open communication.

This position is considered remote, 0-1 days onsite each week at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Resume and cover letter required with application submission. If you wish to disclose your personal pronouns, please include them within your resume and cover letter submission.

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.

Responsibilities

  • Meet quarterly and annual key performance indicators and fundraising goals as determined by the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Major Gifts;
  • Manage 2-4 fundraisers at the Director and/ or Associate Director level;
  • In partnership with Faculty Engagement team, identify, cultivate, solicit, and manage portfolio of approximately 50-60 prospects with capacity ratings of $250K-$1M;
  • Conduct 5-7 donor visits monthly; complete 8-10 solicitations annually;
  • Work strategically with faculty, staff, Trustees, and Division colleagues to expand pipeline and steward major gift prospects and donors;
  • Collaborate with colleagues on other teams, including Individual Giving, Planned Giving, Corporate Partnerships, Donor Experience & Engagement, The Jimmy Fund, and Prospect Research, to maximize donor engagement and philanthropic commitment;
  • Track prospect and donor activity in ClearView database; provide activity and revenue reports as requested;
  • Develop policies and recommendations to enhance fundraising to AVP of Major Gifts;
  • Travel to represent Dana-Farber as needed; assist in planning of special events and forums as needed
  • Complete other special projects as assigned by AVP of Major Gifts.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage 2-4 fundraisers at the Director and/ or Associate Director level ; will share supervision of one Assistant.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalency required; bachelor’s degree preferred. 8+ years’ relevant experience preferably with a track record of successful major gifts solicitations in $100,000+ donor category. Management of fundraising staff strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational and managerial capabilities, ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks also required. Fundraising experience in a healthcare setting a plus. Public speaking experience and effectiveness necessary, along with the ability to communicate and work with people of all levels. Must exercise significant judgment and confidentiality in working with prospects, volunteers and Institute staff. Some travel and evening and weekend work may be required. Microsoft Office Suite familiarity necessary.

PATIENT CONTACT:

No.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position is considered remote, 0-1 days onsite each week at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA.

DIVISION OF PHILANTHROPY INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, & EQUITY COMMITMENT STATEMENT:

We’re stronger together. In the Division of Philanthropy, we believe in the power of different voices. We encourage authenticity and diversity of every individual within our community. Our collective voices – donors, volunteers, staff, and patients alike – allow us to work together towards a world without cancer. Committed to being a place of inclusivity, belonging, and change, these are our core values.

DFCI DISCLAIMER:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

DFCI offers a competitive benefits package including generous healthcare and retirement plans, at minimum 3-weeks’ vacation time in addition to 10 paid holidays, a flexible work environment, and work/life balance. Dana-Farber offers a variety of personal, professional, and leadership development opportunities to all members of its workforce through Institutional programming. Division of Philanthropy offers 75+ specialized professional development sessions designed for staff each year through its in-house learning program, the Center for Advancement Training.*

*All benefits subject to Institute changes

We’re hiring! Learn more about working in the Division of Philanthropy and view all open positions.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

#LI-Remote

Posted 2025-09-27

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