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.
Position Overview
This position is considered remote, 0-1 days onsite at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA each week. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director is a collaborative member of the Division of Philanthropy team, drafting compelling and meaningful communications to convey impact, inspire action, and relay gratitude on behalf of individuals across the Institute. The core responsibilities of the role focus on project management for strategic content deliverables, the Lubin Family Foundation Scholar Award program, and emerging Division priorities. Responsible for assisting the entire Division with reaching financial goals.
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.
Dana-Farber is currently undertaking an ambitious fundraising effort to change the future of cancer research and care: The Dana-Farber Campaign. This multibillion-dollar 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 focused on accelerating the Institute’s strategic priorities by supporting revolutionary science, extraordinary care, exceptional expertise, and essential opportunities—helping us prevent, treat, and Defy Cancer.
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.
Responsibilities
Lubin Family Foundation Scholar Award (LFFSA) (33%)
- Serve as primary administrator for this internal funding mechanism, working with Institute staff, faculty, and external constituencies on day-to-day programmatic, operational, and administrative matters; assist with meetings, special projects, and/or general problem resolution.
- Serve as primary contact to the foundation donor, awarded Lubin Scholars and Mentors, LFFSA Scientific Director, Selection Committee, and Greater Boston institutions with eligible applicants.
- Staff donor and faculty meetings, including preparing agendas, following up on action items, and supporting related initiatives.
- Keep all members of the team up to date with relevant program information.
- Facilitate internal and external LFFSA communications; coordinate with DFCI Communications on program publicity.
Donor Experience & Engagement (67%)
- Serve as a strategic partner with colleagues raising transformational, principal, major, foundation, planned, and corporate gifts, with an emphasis on project management.
- Thoroughly research and understand all aspects pertaining to a specific portfolio of reports and proposals, including basic science, research programs, and cancer treatment centers at Dana-Farber. This includes reading, analyzing, and interpreting press releases, scientific papers, results from clinical trials, and content from technical lectures.
- Skillfully conduct interviews with clinicians, investigators, and cancer care professionals to elicit new perspectives, scientific context, specific accomplishments, incremental and major results, direct quotes, ideas on how to approach strategic content materials, names and contact information of other people to interview, and more.
- Plan and write compelling long form reports and proposals that convey the impact of philanthropic giving. Work closely with philanthropy colleagues to develop appropriate tone, content, and donor approach.
- Write and edit materials in a timely fashion to meet specified deadlines.
- Contribute as a member of the writing team. Thoughtfully participate in team meetings and share knowledge related to research findings, scientific writing trends, and learning opportunities.
- Assume other duties as necessary.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of Philanthropy and writing experience required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Superb project management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in engaging with faculty, researchers, and leadership.
- Strong organizational and time management abilities.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
- Strong technical skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, SharePoint experience preferred.
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.
Inclusive interview practices are a priority in the Division of Philanthropy. We incorporate an Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E) Interview Panel in all searches. In this 30-minute interview, we connect with candidates on four main ID&E competencies: empathy, collaboration, inclusivity, and compassion.
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
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.
