Director of Advancement (Research Philanthropy)

Texas Children's Hospital • Houston, TX

19h

About The Position

This role leads the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the institutional advancement goals of the NRI and TCRI. The Director will oversee principal and major gift initiatives, manage and develop a high-performing advancement team, and maintain an active portfolio of key donor relationships. This position involves leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-value prospects and donors, establishing performance metrics, and driving accountability. The role also partners with research and philanthropy executives, faculty leaders, and board members to establish fundraising priorities and campaign strategies, collaborating with frontline fundraising teams to identify donor alignment opportunities and maximize philanthropic engagement. Additionally, the Director will lead strategic communications initiatives to elevate awareness of the NRI and TCRI mission and research impact, overseeing the development of donor-facing proposals, publications, and other content in partnership with Texas Children’s creative and marketing teams. The position aims to expand and strengthen the national and global philanthropic footprint, build and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies, and foster collaborative partnerships across various departments to support fundraising growth and operational excellence. Mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance to advancement team members are also key aspects of this role, promoting a positive, transparent, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of fundraising experience
• 5+ years of leadership and people management experience
• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, campaign management, and philanthropic operations
• Proven success securing and managing major gifts and building long-term donor relationships
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and executive relationship management skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while driving measurable outcomes
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and partner effectively across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project execution capabilities

Nice To Haves

• Research fundraising experience preferred
• 10+ years of major gift fundraising experience

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting the institutional advancement goals of the NRI and TCRI.
• Oversee principal and major gift initiatives while managing and developing a high-performing advancement team.
• Maintain an active portfolio of key donor relationships and lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-value prospects and donors.
• Establish performance metrics and fundraising benchmarks to drive accountability and team success.
• Partner with research and philanthropy executives, faculty leaders, and board members to establish fundraising priorities and campaign strategies.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraising teams to identify donor alignment opportunities and maximize philanthropic engagement.
• Develop measurable fundraising goals and provide ongoing reporting related to campaign progress and donor activity.
• Manage relationships with volunteer leadership and philanthropic stakeholders.
• Lead strategic communications initiatives that elevate awareness and visibility of the NRI and TCRI mission, leadership, and research impact.
• Oversee the development of donor-facing proposals, publications, case studies, online content, and video storytelling in partnership with Texas Children’s creative and marketing teams.
• Communicate the impact of philanthropy in advancing research innovation and institutional priorities.
• Expand and strengthen the national and global philanthropic footprint for the NRI and TCRI.
• Build and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to increase donor engagement and long-term philanthropic support.
• Partner with marketing and public relations teams to amplify awareness around research breakthroughs and institutional achievements.
• Develop engagement opportunities for fundraising volunteers and key stakeholders to deepen donor relationships.
• Foster collaborative partnerships across Philanthropy, Marketing, Public Relations, and Research teams to support fundraising growth and operational excellence.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance to advancement team members to support annual goal achievement and professional growth.
• Promote a positive, transparent, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture.
• Emphasize efficient and cost-effective fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships and maximize impact.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect activity within fundraising technology platforms and CRM systems.
• Utilize data and reporting tools to monitor fundraising performance, pipeline activity, and donor movement.
• Support data integrity and reporting processes that inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.

Benefits

• Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas
• Among the top children's hospitals in the nation
• Recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city’s Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years
• Affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director