Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
- Requisition #: 178688
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 3/13/2026
The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.
The Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will shape the vision, direction, and culture of all fundraising programs overseen by the Office of Philanthropy's 200-person division. Functional areas include principal, major, and leadership giving; endowments; annual giving; planned giving; corporate and foundation giving; gift operations, finance and compliance; and a cutting-edge research and analytics team. In addition, the CPO will lead the public phase and completion of a historic $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign slated to conclude at the end of Fiscal Year 2028. As of February 15, 2026, $1.98 billion has been raised, ahead of what was forecasted at this point in the campaign and representing 79% progress toward the goal.
Leading by example, the CPO will create a culture of collaboration, excellence, and ingenuity. As a strategic revenue generator and relationship builder, the CPO will cultivate long-term, effective relationships with existing UT MD Anderson donors, while building support from new constituencies and demographic segments. Partnering closely with the President, Executive Vice President (EVP), and other members of the President's Executive Leadership Team, the CPO will serve as an advisor and strategist in setting fundraising priorities, cultivating highest-level donors, soliciting transformational gifts, and operationalizing bold new ideas. In addition, the CPO will lead overall strategic planning efforts, resource analysis and allocation, and organizational development for the Office of Philanthropy in consultation with the President, EVP, and Board of Visitors leadership.
KEY FUNCTIONS
Strategic Leadership and Program Optimization
• Provide executive management and leadership of a best-in-class, comprehensive philanthropic enterprise, assuming responsibility for strategic and financial success.
• Assess the effectiveness and fundraising potential of UT MD Anderson; build upon the existing foundation to further evolve the philanthropy program into a cutting-edge operation that will broaden and strengthen UT MD Anderson's outreach efforts and develop and maintain new strategies to engage broad audiences and supporters through direct fundraising and robust stewardship that is simultaneously donor-centric and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Create and execute new programs and donor strategies to significantly increase funds raised, sustainably elevating average total annual fundraising to $400 million+.
• Oversee the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of both existing and new foundation and corporate giving.
• Build upon the strength of a robust, existing grateful patient program that accounts for roughly 54% of total fundraising; formulate strategies for sustained growth, and continue efforts to train physicians in the fundraising process and practice of reciprocal gratitude between donor patients and providers.
• Serve as an integral member of the greater UT MD Anderson community and participate as an engaging leader, partner, and contributor who leads with understanding, mutual respect, customer service, and responsiveness both internally and externally.
Presidential Support and Internal Engagement
• Support and guide the President to maximize engagement from highest impact prospects; ensure that his philanthropic activities are highly productive, strategic, and a meaningful use of his time and resources.
• Actively partner with the President and executive colleagues in generating, evaluating, and streamlining new ideas for philanthropy, effectively operationalizing, prioritizing, and socializing those most promising.
• Foster relationships with clinical, research, and academic leaders and organizational partners, such as the University of Texas System, to garner financial and collaborative support; create effective partnerships among members of senior leadership, physicians/researchers/faculty members, and philanthropy staff to leverage philanthropic opportunities.
• Participate fully and enthusiastically as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing input and critical analysis at the divisional and organizational level as this executive body shapes and implements UT MD Anderson's strategies across clinical care, research, education, and prevention.
Fundraising, External Engagement and Campaign Leadership
• Craft and implement a strategy to systematically identify new prospects capable of making transformational gifts in support of UT MD Anderson; formulate creative cultivation plans to engage them in institutional activities; and successfully execute effective solicitation strategies that lead to eight- and nine-figure commitments; personally manage a portfolio of top-rated prospects.
• Lead the public phase and completion of a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic campaign that supports UT MD Anderson's signature priorities, in collaboration with the President and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Balance short- and long-term campaign strategies, focusing on the completion of the current effort while planning ahead for future goals and signature priorities in partnership with the President.
• Cultivate, support, and leverage the institution's roughly 300-person Board of Visitors-a cadre of deeply dedicated volunteers, civic and industry leaders, and philanthropists. Support and cultivate the Board of Visitors President's Executive Council, Membership Committee, Philanthropy Committee, and the Philanthropic Campaign Leadership Committee and Signature Priority Committees.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for philanthropy programs, developing a depth and breadth of understanding of MD Anderon's research and clinical programs and funding priorities; represent the institution in fundraising to local, state, national, and worldwide donors and prospective donors; UT System; other UT components; local, state, and federal regulatory and compliance agencies; the community at large; volunteers; donors; and the media.
Empowering and Motivating Talented Teams
• Foster a highly engaged, results-oriented, and collaborative culture among a high performing and deeply committed Philanthropy division, further coalescing and integrating all functional areas into one unified team.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and mentorship of staff; set clear direction, priorities, and metrics for professional and support personnel, including six direct reports; promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals. Encourage participation in Leadership Institute programming and other efforts to develop staff.
• Establish and evaluate standards of performance and professional behavior in adherence to
UT MD Anderson's organizational core values on an ongoing basis; create a model office that maintains the highest professional and ethical standards, providing leadership by example.
EDUCATION:
Required: Undergraduate degree in marketing, business or related field is required.
Preferred: Graduate degree
EXPERIENCE:
Required: 15 years of professional level experience in fund raising, fund development or related field, at least five of which must have been at the director or higher level. Experience working in the healthcare industry. Experience leading the philanthropy operations of a nationally recognized organization and overseeing a major gifts operation. Demonstrated major campaign experience. Experience working directly with and building relationships with high net worth individuals and high-profile community leaders across the country. Experience with emerging areas of philanthropy. Experience working with physicians and or academic faculty.
Preferred: 15 years of senior-level management experience in a complex organization (preferably in academic medicine, clinical and basic research, and/or a university environment); a track record of success securing and stewarding principal gifts at the eight- and ideally nine-figure levels; the interpersonal and leadership skills required to motivate a large, matrixed team, especially during times of change; the ability to engage key leaders in the fundraising process; and a personal commitment to UT MD Anderson's mission, core values, and impact with a servant leadership approach.
UT MD Anderson 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 UT MD Anderson 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
#LI-Hybrid
The Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) will shape the vision, direction, and culture of all fundraising programs overseen by the Office of Philanthropy's 200-person division. Functional areas include principal, major, and leadership giving; endowments; annual giving; planned giving; corporate and foundation giving; gift operations, finance and compliance; and a cutting-edge research and analytics team. In addition, the CPO will lead the public phase and completion of a historic $2.5 billion comprehensive philanthropic campaign slated to conclude at the end of Fiscal Year 2028. As of February 15, 2026, $1.98 billion has been raised, ahead of what was forecasted at this point in the campaign and representing 79% progress toward the goal.
Leading by example, the CPO will create a culture of collaboration, excellence, and ingenuity. As a strategic revenue generator and relationship builder, the CPO will cultivate long-term, effective relationships with existing UT MD Anderson donors, while building support from new constituencies and demographic segments. Partnering closely with the President, Executive Vice President (EVP), and other members of the President's Executive Leadership Team, the CPO will serve as an advisor and strategist in setting fundraising priorities, cultivating highest-level donors, soliciting transformational gifts, and operationalizing bold new ideas. In addition, the CPO will lead overall strategic planning efforts, resource analysis and allocation, and organizational development for the Office of Philanthropy in consultation with the President, EVP, and Board of Visitors leadership.
KEY FUNCTIONS
Strategic Leadership and Program Optimization
• Provide executive management and leadership of a best-in-class, comprehensive philanthropic enterprise, assuming responsibility for strategic and financial success.
• Assess the effectiveness and fundraising potential of UT MD Anderson; build upon the existing foundation to further evolve the philanthropy program into a cutting-edge operation that will broaden and strengthen UT MD Anderson's outreach efforts and develop and maintain new strategies to engage broad audiences and supporters through direct fundraising and robust stewardship that is simultaneously donor-centric and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Create and execute new programs and donor strategies to significantly increase funds raised, sustainably elevating average total annual fundraising to $400 million+.
• Oversee the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of both existing and new foundation and corporate giving.
• Build upon the strength of a robust, existing grateful patient program that accounts for roughly 54% of total fundraising; formulate strategies for sustained growth, and continue efforts to train physicians in the fundraising process and practice of reciprocal gratitude between donor patients and providers.
• Serve as an integral member of the greater UT MD Anderson community and participate as an engaging leader, partner, and contributor who leads with understanding, mutual respect, customer service, and responsiveness both internally and externally.
Presidential Support and Internal Engagement
• Support and guide the President to maximize engagement from highest impact prospects; ensure that his philanthropic activities are highly productive, strategic, and a meaningful use of his time and resources.
• Actively partner with the President and executive colleagues in generating, evaluating, and streamlining new ideas for philanthropy, effectively operationalizing, prioritizing, and socializing those most promising.
• Foster relationships with clinical, research, and academic leaders and organizational partners, such as the University of Texas System, to garner financial and collaborative support; create effective partnerships among members of senior leadership, physicians/researchers/faculty members, and philanthropy staff to leverage philanthropic opportunities.
• Participate fully and enthusiastically as an active member of the Executive Leadership Team, providing input and critical analysis at the divisional and organizational level as this executive body shapes and implements UT MD Anderson's strategies across clinical care, research, education, and prevention.
Fundraising, External Engagement and Campaign Leadership
• Craft and implement a strategy to systematically identify new prospects capable of making transformational gifts in support of UT MD Anderson; formulate creative cultivation plans to engage them in institutional activities; and successfully execute effective solicitation strategies that lead to eight- and nine-figure commitments; personally manage a portfolio of top-rated prospects.
• Lead the public phase and completion of a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic campaign that supports UT MD Anderson's signature priorities, in collaboration with the President and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Balance short- and long-term campaign strategies, focusing on the completion of the current effort while planning ahead for future goals and signature priorities in partnership with the President.
• Cultivate, support, and leverage the institution's roughly 300-person Board of Visitors-a cadre of deeply dedicated volunteers, civic and industry leaders, and philanthropists. Support and cultivate the Board of Visitors President's Executive Council, Membership Committee, Philanthropy Committee, and the Philanthropic Campaign Leadership Committee and Signature Priority Committees.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for philanthropy programs, developing a depth and breadth of understanding of MD Anderon's research and clinical programs and funding priorities; represent the institution in fundraising to local, state, national, and worldwide donors and prospective donors; UT System; other UT components; local, state, and federal regulatory and compliance agencies; the community at large; volunteers; donors; and the media.
Empowering and Motivating Talented Teams
• Foster a highly engaged, results-oriented, and collaborative culture among a high performing and deeply committed Philanthropy division, further coalescing and integrating all functional areas into one unified team.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and mentorship of staff; set clear direction, priorities, and metrics for professional and support personnel, including six direct reports; promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals. Encourage participation in Leadership Institute programming and other efforts to develop staff.
• Establish and evaluate standards of performance and professional behavior in adherence to
UT MD Anderson's organizational core values on an ongoing basis; create a model office that maintains the highest professional and ethical standards, providing leadership by example.
EDUCATION:
Required: Undergraduate degree in marketing, business or related field is required.
Preferred: Graduate degree
EXPERIENCE:
Required: 15 years of professional level experience in fund raising, fund development or related field, at least five of which must have been at the director or higher level. Experience working in the healthcare industry. Experience leading the philanthropy operations of a nationally recognized organization and overseeing a major gifts operation. Demonstrated major campaign experience. Experience working directly with and building relationships with high net worth individuals and high-profile community leaders across the country. Experience with emerging areas of philanthropy. Experience working with physicians and or academic faculty.
Preferred: 15 years of senior-level management experience in a complex organization (preferably in academic medicine, clinical and basic research, and/or a university environment); a track record of success securing and stewarding principal gifts at the eight- and ideally nine-figure levels; the interpersonal and leadership skills required to motivate a large, matrixed team, especially during times of change; the ability to engage key leaders in the fundraising process; and a personal commitment to UT MD Anderson's mission, core values, and impact with a servant leadership approach.
UT MD Anderson 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 UT MD Anderson 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: 178688
- Employment Status: Full-Time
- Employee Status: Regular
- Work Week: Days
- Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 583,000
- Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 634,000
- Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 686,000
- FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay
- Fund Type: Hard
- Work Location: Hybrid Onsite/Remote
- Relocation Assistance Available?: Yes
#LI-Hybrid
