Senior Director of Development, Cancer

Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation (HMHF or the foundation) – the fundraising arm of the number one hospital in Texas and a top national hospital according to U.S. News & World Report – seeks two senior directors of development for the renowned clinical areas of Cancer and Heart to develop comprehensive strategies and build the pipelines of support for major, planned, and principal-level gifts for these respective service lines. These two fundraising leaders will join a highly dedicated and collaborative team of development professionals as the foundation prepares to embark on a groundbreaking comprehensive campaign that will further enhance the mission and reach of Houston Methodist Hospital. For the right candidates, these are unique opportunities to make an unprecedented impact in the field of healthcare philanthropy and create a lasting legacy for an ambitious and growing development enterprise.

Founded in 1919, Houston Methodist exists today as an independent academic medical center and market leader in Houston, the state of Texas, and beyond. The institution has grown significantly over the last two decades, providing the highest-end care that is unparalleled in terms of safety and quality as well as robust teaching and research initiatives, which are further strengthened by affiliations with Weill Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Texas A&M University, Rice University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center, among others. As clinical care, education, and research continue to grow across Houston Methodist, philanthropy will fuel the institution’s remarkable trajectory of success in becoming one of the highest-ranking academic medical centers in the country.

Reporting to an associate chief development officer, the senior directors will direct the fundraising efforts for their assigned clinical areas, including Cancer and Heart, each of which presents exciting opportunities for further philanthropic support and donor engagement amid Houston Methodist’s upcoming comprehensive campaign and beyond. In leading fundraising for these respective clinical areas, the senior directors will meaningfully liaise with division chairs and physicians to develop and represent clinical funding priorities in collaboration with foundation leadership. These development leaders will also have the opportunity to build and oversee small but growing teams of one to two direct reports. Leading by example, the senior directors will manage portfolios of major gift prospects and donors in their respective clinical areas with an emphasis on broadening donor pipelines. The senior directors will also manage campaign activities for their respective service lines. As collaborative members of the development enterprise, these individuals will liaise across the foundation with peer fundraisers, as well as with donor relations and stewardship colleagues, and embody Houston Methodist’s I CARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) that form the core of the patient experience and organizational culture.

The ideal candidates will possess at least five years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in complex research universities or academic medical center environments. The selected candidates must demonstrate an understanding of fundraising best practices and bring a proven track record of developing and building a sustainable major gift pipeline and program. These individuals will have personal success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at the six- and seven-figure levels, and will possess proficiency in leveraging data and systems to inform strategy. Critical to success will be the credibility, maturity, and sophistication necessary to effectively engage with clinical leaders, physicians, and hospital executives. In leading and developing a small team of gift officers for their respective clinical areas, these individuals must also possess a track record of or proven ability to mentor, manage, and elevate the work of frontline fundraisers.

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Nicole Poe, Bryce Ervin, and Caroline Corry.

Houston Methodist Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. HMH will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist Hospital on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law.