Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is searching for a passionate, experienced, and progressive fundraising executive to join its philanthropy team as inaugural Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer.
The Division of Philanthropy at Dana-Farber has a tradition of excellence and is regarded as one of the best programs in the country, replete with an amazing team and leaders, and millions of donor records representing every state in the country as well as international sources. With The Dana-Farber Campaign, publicly launched in May 2021, the Division is elevating philanthropy to remarkable new levels in order to change the future of cancer research and care. The $2 billion campaign is the largest in the Institute’s history and one of the largest ever in the U.S. focused solely on cancer. Philanthropy raised through The Dana-Farber Campaign is accelerating the Institute’s strategic priorities by supporting revolutionary science, extraordinary care, exceptional expertise, and essential opportunities – helping us prevent, treat, and Defy Cancer. The Campaign is currently ahead of schedule in achieving its ambitious goal.
This is a unique opportunity for an advancement leader to leverage a successful track record of professional experience in driving philanthropic growth and talent management to make an indelible impact on the future of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute continues to evolve in how it supports and champions the groundbreaking professionals driving new paradigms of discovery and treatment. The Institute is brimming with excitement given the powerful combination of revolutionary science, the infusion of new strategic leadership throughout the organization – including among the most senior leaders of the Division of Philanthropy, and the growing momentum of various philanthropic initiatives. Building on a successful past, the Division of Philanthropy is embracing a culture of change and calculated risk-taking consistent with the pioneering spirit of scientific colleagues, while bringing greater rigor and innovation to its work. The Division is adding new resources and adapting its structure to match a sophisticated and growing donor base, including optimizing analytics, enhancing responsivity to consumer behaviors, and honing skillsets that will help support the philanthropy program well into the future. The Division of Philanthropy is indeed taking its program to new levels of achievement in service to patients and families, now raising a total of more than $400 million annually.
The Division of Philanthropy currently comprises 295 full-time positions and 22 teams.
The Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer (Deputy CPO) role was strategically established to be a key figure in leading the ongoing evolution of the Division of Philanthropy. The Deputy CPO serves as the Division’s No. 2 leader and is a strategic partner to the Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, among other Institute and Division leaders, in setting Division strategy, annual and multi-year Division goals, and identifying and refining giving priorities. The Deputy CPO will be a key figure in the ongoing evolution of the Division, championing a culture of change, calculated risk-taking, and new levels of achievement in service to patients and families. This position will evaluate current programs and create and execute approved plans to expand and diversify donors and event participants to broaden the donor base and create even more inclusive events. The Deputy CPO is responsible for assisting the entire Division with reaching annual goals and key performance indicators. This individual will possess the leadership stature and strategic decision-making ability to serve as proxy for the Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, to whom the role reports, as necessary.
The Deputy CPO holds significant responsibility for the overall Division of Philanthropy, overseeing six direct reports and 20 respective teams related to fundraising, operations, and marketing with corresponding responsibilities ranging from focusing on direct gift solicitation to events, marketing, fiscal analysis, and donor management.
While Dana-Farber will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience:
- Passionate about the mission of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and able to authentically engage and inspire others as a senior leader of the organization.
- Fifteen or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in philanthropy with a proven track record of delivering growth in contributed revenue, preferably in fast-paced, high-performing, matrixed organizational environments such as academic medical centers and free-standing research institutes. Deep experience in overseeing a range of fundraising programs, the creation and execution of development strategies, corresponding operations, and marketing in support thereof, as well as leadership in a major fundraising campaign. An established track record of increasing philanthropic revenue.
- Broad knowledge of all functional areas comprising a comprehensive fundraising program (individual, institutional, major, principal, planned, and annual giving; stewardship; operations; related marketing and communications) and of best practices and emerging trends in philanthropy, including the optimal integration of various giving programs to diversify the funding base and cultivate greater donor commitments.
- Experience managing teams responsible for philanthropy and related functions, including handling all aspects of talent management. Ability to lead, recruit, evaluate, and develop professionals and contribute to the ongoing fostering of a results-oriented, multiracial/multicultural workforce. Track record of maintaining best practices, clear goals, and shared accountability, as well as working across departmental or divisional lines when necessary to achieve results. Experience managing budgets and revenue forecasts.
- Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of how to build diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy, including among colleagues, supporters, and other stakeholders; culturally competent with respect to issues such as racial, cultural, religious, sexual, and gender identity. Experience with diverse donors is a plus.
- Demonstrated success in developing the case for support, aligning organizational needs with funder interests, and developing and executing strategic, innovative fundraising plans to grow revenue and exceed goals. Demonstrated experience cultivating, training, building relationships with, and working in collaboration with executives, senior staff, and volunteer leaders on fundraising-related activities, providing them with quality support and intelligence and increasing their comfort with and success in fundraising. Track record of strategically moving individuals and institutions across the spectrum of prospect development, with a history of securing seven-figure gifts and above, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship.
- Excellent analytical and decision-making skills, with proven experience in interpreting data to drive strategies. Strong financial and business acumen and application, including experience with revenue forecasts.
- Mastery of technology, video meeting platforms (Zoom), and MS Office Suite (SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel).
- Bachelor’s degree.
*Partial Remote – This position is considered partially remote, with 2-3 days in the office at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, Massachusetts each week. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, or Vermont. Exceptions can be requested.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of the Diversified Search Group to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted at https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/20096, or directed to:
Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director and DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
gerard.cattie@divsearch.com | 212.542.2587
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Commitment Statement
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 groups as protected by law.
Division of Philanthropy Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Commitment Statement
We’re stronger together.
In the Division of Philanthropy, we believe in the power of different voices. We encourage the authenticity and diversity of every individual within our community. Our collective voices – donors, volunteers, staff, and patients alike – allow us to work together toward a world without cancer. Committed to being a place of inclusivity, belonging, and change, these are our core values.
Benefits Package
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 hybrid work environment, and a work/life balance. The Institute also provides an array of professional development opportunities. All benefits subject to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute changes.