Chief Organizational Advancement Officer

About Us

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization driving the next generation of cancer treatment by accelerating the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Founded in 2016 through the vision of Sean Parker, PICI unites the nation's top cancer centers into a collaborative consortium that fuels high-risk, high-reward science with shared goals, data, and infrastructure. Unlike traditional research models, PICI goes beyond discovery by actively advancing promising innovations through clinical testing, company formation and incubation, and commercialization. PICI has supported more than 1,000 investigators across its network and has a portfolio that includes 17 biotech ventures with over $4B raised in capital. PICI is uniquely positioned to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient access. By integrating scientific excellence with entrepreneurial execution, PICI is reimagining how cures are made, and accelerating their path to the people who need them most. Find out more at parkerici.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Position Summary

The Chief Organizational Advancement Officer (COAO) is a strategic and visionary leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all fundraising activities to achieve the organization's mission and financial goals. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the COAO will play a critical role in diversifying revenue streams, cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporations, and inspiring a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization. This position requires a proven track record of success in securing significant philanthropic support, promoting mission ambassadorship, exceptional leadership skills, and a deep passion for the fight against cancer.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Fundraising Planning :

Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year philanthropic fundraising strategy aligned with the organization's strategic plan, including annual goals for all revenue streams (major gifts, individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, events, planned giving).

Identify and evaluate new fundraising opportunities and trends to ensure the organization's long-term financial sustainability.

Collaborate closely with the CEO and Board of Directors to establish fundraising priorities and engage them effectively in development efforts.

Co-create with subject matter experts, the setting and defining funding priorities.

Analyze fundraising data and metrics to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and report on performance to the CEO and Board.

Stay current with best practices in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and philanthropy.

Work closely with other business functions - Communications & Marketing, Operations, Legal, Finance to ensure strategic alignment & managing deliverables related to philanthropy.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations :

Directly manage a portfolio of principal and major gift donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to secure significant philanthropic contributions.

Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for high-net-worth individuals, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.

Create, with support from marketing, cases for support that will resonate with potential donors and generate excitement about the impact of potential gifts to the institute.

Oversee and guide the major gifts function in identifying, researching, and engaging prospective donors.

Implement robust donor stewardship programs to ensure donors feel valued, informed, and connected to the organization's impact.

Corporate & Foundation Relations :

Lead efforts to secure funding from corporations and foundations, developing compelling proposals and partnership opportunities.

Build and maintain strong relationships with corporate social responsibility leaders and foundation program officers.

Oversee the grant writing function, ensuring timely submission of high-quality proposals and reports.

Team Leadership & Management :

Recruit, train, mentor, and motivate a high-performing development team.

Provide clear direction, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities for team members.

Foster a collaborative and positive work environment that encourages innovation and achievement.

Manage the development department budget effectively.

Board Engagement & External Relations :

Partner with the CEO to leverage the Board of Directors' networks and influence in fundraising efforts.

Provide regular reports and updates to the Board on fundraising progress and strategies.

Represent the organization at donor events, conferences, and community gatherings, serving as a passionate ambassador for the mission.

Campaign Management

Lead and manage capital campaigns or other special campaigns as needed, including planning, donor identification, solicitation, and recognition.

Data driven approach

Manage & ensure data health and integrity related to organizational relationships.

Oversee buildout of robust data platform and processes related to relationships and interconnectivity within the organization.

Leverage insights from data to advance organizational capabilities related to philanthropic fundraising.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) preferred.

Minimum of 10-12+ years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising for a non-profit organization, with a strong emphasis on major gifts and campaign management.

Proven track record of securing transformational gifts ($500K+) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that achieve ambitious financial goals.

Exceptional interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), and presentation skills, with the ability to inspire and influence diverse audiences.

Strong leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing and mentoring a high-performing development staff.

Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.

Proficient in donor relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Virtuous).

Deep understanding of ethical fundraising practices and donor privacy.

Passion for the mission of PICI and a commitment to fighting cancer.

Ability to travel as needed and work occasional evenings / weekends for events.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary : $375k - $400k per year based on experience and qualifications

Health, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) with company match

Additional Information

Must be authorized to work in the United States; we do not sponsor work visas

Compensation : From $375,000 to $400,000 per year

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