Program Director, Donor Communications

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center•Seattle, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent nonprofit cancer and biomedical research organization based in Seattle. Its Philanthropy department raises funds for cancer and related disease research, clinical research, and education, and supports fundraising for the adult oncology program on behalf of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine. The department has more than 140 staff and is advancing a $3 billion campaign, annual fundraising, patient-family fundraising, and support from local and national communities. The Program Director, Donor Communications, is part of the Experience & Engagement program and reports to the Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing. The role directs complex, high-impact projects related to fundraising and serves as a strategic thought partner to Philanthropy’s senior leadership. It leads Philanthropy writers and content producers in creating and refining print and digital materials that engage and retain 50,000 donors annually and support the organization’s mission, including a goal of growing online giving to $10 million per year. This is a hybrid position requiring at least two days per week at the South Lake Union campus. Some travel and evening and weekend work are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Eight years of related experience, including at least two years managing a team.
Candidates must submit a cover letter and writing sample with their application.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading and managing writers in a fast-paced communications environment.
Track record of translating leadership priorities and complex subject matter into effective communications strategies and engaging deliverables, including guiding creative staff in this work.
Excellent editing and persuasive writing skills.
Ability to translate scientific and health information into communications for lay audiences, including donors and patient families.
Proficiency with Adobe InDesign and Asana, Smartsheet, or other project management software.
Experience in a nonprofit, research, or health care environment, including campaign planning or implementation.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Highly developed organizational and information management skills.
Strong attention to detail and quality of work.
Ability to manage and prioritize multiple key initiatives and adjust to emerging priorities.
Ability to build relationships and collaborate within a complex organization.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with a CRM, Raiser’s Edge/RENXT, or related fundraising software.
Ability to handle and respect confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

Design and deliver clear, accurate, and inspiring communications for donors and prospective donors in collaboration with Philanthropy, Marketing & Communications, scientific and clinical stakeholders, and agency partners.
Lead Philanthropy writers and other content producers in developing communications such as direct-response and annual giving campaigns, event communications and programming, stewardship materials, correspondence, donor and patient stories, and website content.
Advise Annual Giving, Peer-to-Peer, Obliteride, Planned Giving, and other Philanthropy teams on communication strategies to improve donor engagement, revenue, and participation.
Partner with the Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing, to manage team capacity, project expectations, and timelines.
Ensure written materials align with organizational priorities and fundraising opportunities and are effectively organized and presented.
Collaborate with Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications colleagues to uphold brand, messaging, visual identity, and style standards in donor materials.
Lead a program area by establishing and delivering program priorities and goals, and manage and grow a key Philanthropy program with internal and external partners.
Lead program strategy and operational execution, including setting strategic objectives and performance metrics.
Convene and align stakeholders, identify opportunities to advance the program, and anticipate and mitigate obstacles.
Evaluate Philanthropy operations and systems collaboratively and provide strategic direction and oversight for process improvements.
Mobilize and oversee new initiatives and the maintenance or expansion of current programs, incorporating industry and organizational best practices.
Represent Philanthropy to other Fred Hutch departments and external organizations, and advance information exchanges with organizational leaders and vendors.
Build trusted relationships and work effectively across multiple teams.
Supervise employee workload and day-to-day responsibilities; provide leadership and mentorship to Philanthropy colleagues.
Align program and project strategies with Fred Hutch goals and strategic plans.
Serve as a leader of people and programs, with possible oversight of a fundraising initiative or fundraising-enabling program.
Perform other duties as assigned.