The Organization
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is searching for a passionate, experienced, and progressive marketing communications executive to join its philanthropy team as Vice President of Philanthropy Marketing.
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 a leader to leverage a successful track record of professional experience in driving marketing communications 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.
Position Overview
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute seeks candidates for Vice President of Philanthropy Marketing (Vice President). The Vice President oversees and sets strategic direction for all marketing, branding, advertising, communications, media relations, publications, web/digital, social media, and donor relations activities for the Division of Philanthropy’s 295 staff and more than $400 million raised annually. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the Division of Philanthropy with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Vice President 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; identify innovative ways to enhance or reimagine existing donor pathways and/or create new ones; and develop and execute approved plans to expand and diversify donors and event participants to broaden the donor base and create even more inclusive events.
The Vice President directly manages three Assistant Vice Presidents and an overall staff of approximately 80 full-time employees assigned to the respective areas of Philanthropy Communications, Digital Marketing, and Donor Relations. Administrative support is available to the Vice President. They work in close partnership across the Division of Philanthropy and many other Institute departments including DFCI Communications, the Office of General Counsel, Facilities, and the Office of the President. The Vice President will join the Division of Philanthropy Marketing group amid a deepened spirit of collaboration with DFCI Communications and its corresponding new leadership.
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 marketing, communications, public relations, donor relations, digital/web, social media, mobile, or fundraising marketing, preferably in fast-paced, high-performing, matrixed organizational environments such as medical centers and free-standing research institutes.
- Comprehensive skills in marketing communications, including the creation and refinement of compelling storytelling, digital fluency, social media content development, leveraging of multi-channel marketing approaches to accomplish goals and objectives, and the interpretation and application of data to drive strategies. Effective in working with a variety of audiences (including the highest level of Dana-Farber constituencies) and excellence in customer service.
- Minimally, a working understanding of fundraising strategy and the components of a comprehensive fundraising program, as well as the ability to achieve results in a fundraising environment.
- Strong leadership and management capacity with 15 or more years of experience in senior management with the 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. Outstanding strategic planning and budget management skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of how to build diversity, equity, and inclusion in marketing communications; culturally competent with respect to issues such as racial, cultural, religious, sexual, and gender identity. Experience with diverse constituencies is a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree, with an advanced degree preferred.
*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.
How To Apply
Download the full position description via the following link: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20097-dfci-vp-philanthropy-mktg
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/v2/20097 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.