Associate Director and Senior Associate of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neuroscience

University of Virginia•Charlottesville, VA

86d•$80,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking two highly qualified candidates for development officer positions within the UVA Health Development Office: Senior Associate Director of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neurosciences and Associate Director of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neurosciences. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development. The UVA Health Development team seeks two experienced and accomplished individuals to serve at the Associate Director of Development or Senior Associate Director of Development level for our Cancer Programs and Neurosciences teams. The Cancer Programs role: Reporting to the Executive Director, Cancer Programs, the successful candidate for the Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development role will maximize fundraising support for research, clinical care programs, and education through strong partnerships with faculty and healthcare providers, patient families, community members, UVA alumni, and private foundations for cancer and other areas as assigned. UVA Health is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia and among the top 50 hospitals nationally by Newsweek. The University of Virginia (UVA) Cancer Center’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer for the patients of today through skilled, integrated, and compassionate care, and to eliminate the threat of cancer for the patients of tomorrow through research and education. The UVA Cancer Center was founded in 1984, received its NCI designation in 1987, and was recognized as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center beginning in 2022. The Neuroscience’s role: Reporting to the Director of Development, Neurosciences, the successful candidate for the Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development role will manage a growing portfolio within Neurosciences, one of the institution’s most dynamic and high-priority areas. This role will directly support innovative research, cutting-edge clinical care, and emerging priorities across several departments including neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and other areas as assigned. The incumbent will partner closely with clinical and research leadership to shape and fund priorities across the neuroscience’s enterprise.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 3 years of fundraising, with a consistent record of securing gifts of $50,000+ (for Associate Director).
At least 5 years of fundraising experience, with a consistent record of securing gifts of $100,000+ (for Senior Associate Director).
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and manage a portfolio of prospects.
Experience managing relationships, the ability to use a database to maintain and review records and reports such as donor data, prospect contacts, solicitations and proposals
Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to hold oneself accountable to goals and metrics.
Ability to travel frequently, as well as conduct occasional evening and weekend work.
Proven ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with high emotional intelligence and professionalism.
Strong communication skills and ability to articulate mission and priorities.
Valid driver’s license.
Experience working within a major fundraising or capital campaign (for Senior Associate Director).
Demonstrated ability to manage high‑level relationships and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics (for Senior Associate Director).
Proven experience of managing and developing fundraising strategies for specific programs (for Senior Associate Director).

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree
More than five years of frontline fundraising experience as a senior gift officer in academic medicine
Prior experience staffing senior leaders and volunteers in a complex, matrixed organization
Track record of demonstrating a high degree of initiative, flexibility and will have the skills to shape and be shaped by an evolving fundraising initiative
Experience in developing strategic fundraising plans with ambitious targets and delivering results
Preference will be given to applicants with previous management experience in a leadership role in academic medicine fundraising.
Proficiency using CRM databases.
Success within collaborative fundraising models.
Robust understanding of the principles of philanthropy, higher education, alumni relations, and relationship management.
Proven experience building relationships with academic medical faculty and comparable organizational leaders.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead fundraiser for specific areas of UVA Health managing a portfolio of donors and prospects. Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward these individuals in support of the mission and priorities of program leadership.
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for assigned Departments, Divisions, and priorities in the areas of patient care, research, education and community support missions from multiple prospect populations including patient families, community members, UVA friends and alumni, and beyond.
Evaluate HIPAA-compliant patient data for physicians in assigned programs and identify potential major gift prospects for further research and cultivation. Ensure discipline around patient philanthropy processes.
Create and implement a transparent and intentional donor strategy to move prospective donors along the development continuum. Cultivate new and existing donors to higher levels of support for the departments and programs of oversight, including research and care of patients.
Collaborate with UVA Health Development Office (UVAHD) colleagues to assure alignment and synergy in fundraising efforts. Work in tandem and in a donor-centric manner to advance UVA Health broadly.
Establish a consistent presence within assigned departments and programs, to build faculty and staff partnerships and promote a culture of philanthropy.
Provide effective and ongoing training for faculty and staff about philanthropic principles and tactics. Coach faculty so that they are well prepared to positively impact development activities and prospect/donor relationships.
Develop and maintain an informed layperson's understanding of the science behind research and care in assigned programs. Act as a translator and synthesizer of ideas when needed to enhance communication between faculty and prospects/donors.
Build and strengthen relationships with UVA Health leadership and key stakeholders, including, but not limited to: Department Chairs and Division Chiefs and UVA Cancer Center leadership OR Neurosciences leadership
Other duties as assigned.