Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
- Requisition #: 178400
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 1/24/2026
Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts
The Major Gifts team is dedicated to securing sustained transformational philanthropic support for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center by engaging with new and existing donors across the United States. Major Gift officers heavily prospect for new donor opportunities and plan/execute on deeply meaningful cultivation strategies for high net-worth constituents and stakeholders (new and established) for the purpose of soliciting and closing six and seven-figure philanthropic gifts. Philanthropy carries forth all fundraising efforts with a donor-centric focus and gift officers are empowered to maximize the donor's engagement experience through meaningful moves along carefully planned strategies that align donor passions with areas in need of philanthropic support.
In advancement of the institution's largest philanthropic campaign in history, MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Sr. Associate Director, Major Gifts to join the Individual Giving team. The Sr. Associate Director, Major Gifts will heavily prospect for major gift donors in a designated travel territory, conceptualizing highly customized cultivation strategies for individual constituents and stakeholders to personally solicit and secure philanthropic gifts in excess of $100,000 for the institution's fundraising priorities. In partnership with Planned Giving colleagues, this gift officer will also qualify for and present opportunities for planned gifts. This development professional will be highly adept in matching donor interests with institutional fundraising priorities. This professional will work alongside institution Faculty, volunteers, and leadership as part of cultivating prospective donors and grateful families. The Sr. Associate Director will pursue growth and sustainability of an individual portfolio comprised of approximately 75 constituents, meaningfully engaging all donors in his/her/their accountability and establishing a constituent portfolio that generates a minimum of $4.5 million in gift revenue annually.
Ideal Candidate Statement
The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished major gifts fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts through deeply personalized, donor-centric strategies. They bring strong experience prospecting, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting high-net-worth donors within complex, mission-driven institutions, and demonstrate the ability to thoughtfully align donor interests with institutional priorities. This individual shows exceptional perceptiveness and situational awareness, effectively navigating cross-functional teams, faculty partnerships, and leadership collaboration while managing multiple priorities with discipline and precision. They excel in stakeholder engagement, building trust and rapport with diverse constituents nationwide, and are comfortable personally soliciting gifts of $100,000 to $1 million or more, including identifying planned giving opportunities. The ideal candidate also brings strong leadership and project management skills, driving strategy execution across a robust portfolio, consistently achieving revenue goals, and serving as a collaborative, values-driven leader who models excellence, accountability, and professionalism in support of MD Anderson Cancer Center's transformational campaign goals.
Salary - $121,000 (minimum), $138,000 (midpoint), and $155,000 (maximum)
MD Anderson offers our employees:
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.
In addition to personal accountability to donors under assignment, the Sr. Associate Director may also provide supervision and management to a squad of major gift officers and serving as an inspirational leader to team. Leading by example, this collaborative fundraising partner will model MD Anderson's Core Values in all aspects of securing funds in support of the institution.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Perception and Attentiveness (40%)
Accurately assess interests of prospective donors; organize and present information in thoughtful and engaging ways, constantly shift between multiple activities and sources of information, maintain situational awareness, institutional awareness and adeptly navigate cross functional prospect teams in support of donor engagement, solicitation and stewardship plans.
Stakeholder Engagement (40%)
Display the ability to investigate, qualify and solicit new donors ($500K to $1M in a national territory) to the institution. Display social awareness, professional etiquette, and the ability to interact and build rapport with donors, faculty, and institutional leaders. Engage with varied constituencies with social fluency and garner their trust as to influence donor behavior. Appropriately align donors to giving opportunities and orchestrate and facilitate meaningful engagements.
Leadership and Project Management (20%)
Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision making around donor relationships, special projects and initiatives and the orchestration of strategic approaches. Continuously capture and collect significant data points, execute on deliverables with precision, develop actionable strategies and allocate appropriate resources to execute work functions. Manages professional staff, staffs team and division projects.
EDUCATION
WORK EXPERIENCE
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
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
Additional Information
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The Major Gifts team is dedicated to securing sustained transformational philanthropic support for the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center by engaging with new and existing donors across the United States. Major Gift officers heavily prospect for new donor opportunities and plan/execute on deeply meaningful cultivation strategies for high net-worth constituents and stakeholders (new and established) for the purpose of soliciting and closing six and seven-figure philanthropic gifts. Philanthropy carries forth all fundraising efforts with a donor-centric focus and gift officers are empowered to maximize the donor's engagement experience through meaningful moves along carefully planned strategies that align donor passions with areas in need of philanthropic support.
In advancement of the institution's largest philanthropic campaign in history, MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Sr. Associate Director, Major Gifts to join the Individual Giving team. The Sr. Associate Director, Major Gifts will heavily prospect for major gift donors in a designated travel territory, conceptualizing highly customized cultivation strategies for individual constituents and stakeholders to personally solicit and secure philanthropic gifts in excess of $100,000 for the institution's fundraising priorities. In partnership with Planned Giving colleagues, this gift officer will also qualify for and present opportunities for planned gifts. This development professional will be highly adept in matching donor interests with institutional fundraising priorities. This professional will work alongside institution Faculty, volunteers, and leadership as part of cultivating prospective donors and grateful families. The Sr. Associate Director will pursue growth and sustainability of an individual portfolio comprised of approximately 75 constituents, meaningfully engaging all donors in his/her/their accountability and establishing a constituent portfolio that generates a minimum of $4.5 million in gift revenue annually.
Ideal Candidate Statement
The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished major gifts fundraising professional with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure philanthropic gifts through deeply personalized, donor-centric strategies. They bring strong experience prospecting, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting high-net-worth donors within complex, mission-driven institutions, and demonstrate the ability to thoughtfully align donor interests with institutional priorities. This individual shows exceptional perceptiveness and situational awareness, effectively navigating cross-functional teams, faculty partnerships, and leadership collaboration while managing multiple priorities with discipline and precision. They excel in stakeholder engagement, building trust and rapport with diverse constituents nationwide, and are comfortable personally soliciting gifts of $100,000 to $1 million or more, including identifying planned giving opportunities. The ideal candidate also brings strong leadership and project management skills, driving strategy execution across a robust portfolio, consistently achieving revenue goals, and serving as a collaborative, values-driven leader who models excellence, accountability, and professionalism in support of MD Anderson Cancer Center's transformational campaign goals.
Salary - $121,000 (minimum), $138,000 (midpoint), and $155,000 (maximum)
MD Anderson offers our employees:
- Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
- Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
- Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
- Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
- Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
- Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
- Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
- Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups.
In addition to personal accountability to donors under assignment, the Sr. Associate Director may also provide supervision and management to a squad of major gift officers and serving as an inspirational leader to team. Leading by example, this collaborative fundraising partner will model MD Anderson's Core Values in all aspects of securing funds in support of the institution.
JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
Perception and Attentiveness (40%)
Accurately assess interests of prospective donors; organize and present information in thoughtful and engaging ways, constantly shift between multiple activities and sources of information, maintain situational awareness, institutional awareness and adeptly navigate cross functional prospect teams in support of donor engagement, solicitation and stewardship plans.
Stakeholder Engagement (40%)
Display the ability to investigate, qualify and solicit new donors ($500K to $1M in a national territory) to the institution. Display social awareness, professional etiquette, and the ability to interact and build rapport with donors, faculty, and institutional leaders. Engage with varied constituencies with social fluency and garner their trust as to influence donor behavior. Appropriately align donors to giving opportunities and orchestrate and facilitate meaningful engagements.
Leadership and Project Management (20%)
Drive execution of strategic plans and lead decision making around donor relationships, special projects and initiatives and the orchestration of strategic approaches. Continuously capture and collect significant data points, execute on deliverables with precision, develop actionable strategies and allocate appropriate resources to execute work functions. Manages professional staff, staffs team and division projects.
EDUCATION
- Required: Bachelor's Degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Required: Seven years Direct fundraising experience and
Required two years Supervisory experience.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
- Preferred: CFRE - Cert Fundraising Executive
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Must pass pre-employment skills test as required and administered by Human Resources.
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
Additional Information
- Requisition ID: 178400
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 121,000
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 138,000
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 155,000
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Hard
- Work Location: Remote
- Pivotal Position: Yes
- Referral Bonus Available?: No
- Relocation Assistance Available?: No
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