Director, Faculty Engagement

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Faculty Engagement, the Director, Faculty Engagement will guide the Division of Philanthropy’s 300+ staff in their interactions with more than 450 Dana-Farber faculty members, including clinical leaders, researchers, and early-career scientists. This role plays a vital enabling function—aligning efforts, enhancing collaboration, and supporting peers to drive exceptional fundraising outcomes.

By equipping faculty with the training and tools needed to engage effectively with donors—and by providing gift officers with actionable insights into the Institute’s strategic priorities—the Director serves as a trusted thought partner and liaison between faculty and Philanthropy teams.

The ideal candidate is collaborative, strategic, and relationship-driven, with experience navigating complex, mission-driven institutions—preferably in healthcare, research, or academia. They will have a demonstrated ability to align diverse stakeholders and translate institutional goals into compelling donor narratives. The Director will bring strong organizational, interpersonal, and analytical skills, enabling them to manage multiple priorities while upholding high standards of excellence.

Faculty Engagement is a new function within the Division of Philanthropy, offering the Director an exciting opportunity to shape systems, processes, and standards that elevate the donor and faculty experience.

The onboarding of this role will include a comprehensive training process which includes completion of online modules, shadowing colleagues, and hands-on learning experiences throughout the first calendar year in the role.

Embody Dana-Farber’s Core Values : Impact; Excellence; Compassion & Respect; Discovery; and Equity and Inclusion every day. Add value to the Dana-Farber community by seeking opportunities to collaborate across the Institute. Foster an ethical, positive, results-oriented culture founded on open communication.

This position is considered hybrid, 2-3 days onsite at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA each week. DFCI guidelines state that employees must reside in New England : Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A resume and cover letter are required with application submission. If you wish to disclose your personal pronouns, please include them in your resume and / or cover letter.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV / AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician / researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

The Director, Faculty Engagement sources philanthropic priorities from Dana-Farber leaders, trains Faculty members in philanthropy best practices, assists in assigning prospective donors, and trains gift officers on Institute initiatives in support of the Division of Philanthropy’s annual fundraising goal and campaign goals.

• Serve as the primary liaison to a cadre of Dana-Farber faculty members and clinicians.
• Collaborate regularly with gift officers, Donor Engagement & Experience team members, and faculty to develop meaningful donor interactions including strategic guidance for visits, proposals, stewardship materials, and events.
• Lead regular philanthropy / faculty meetings to share prospect pipelines, donor opportunities, and relevant financials; synthesize and disseminate insights across Philanthropy teams.
• Design and lead a comprehensive training curriculum for faculty and fundraising staff focused on philanthropy best practices.
• Partner with faculty and the Prospect Research team to support donor acquisition, qualification, and gift officer assignments.
• Champion a culture of engagement, learning, inclusion, and continuous improvement within the Division of Philanthropy.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality when working with faculty, patients, donors, and colleagues.

High school diploma or equivalency required; Bachelor’s degree preferred. 8+ years of relevant work experience preferably engaging donors, volunteers, or other high-level constituents. High level project management experience is strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is hybrid, 2-3 days in the office each week. Travel, evening, and weekend work may be required.

DIVISION OF PHILANTHROPY INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, & EQUITY COMMITMENT STATEMENT :

We’re stronger together. In the Division of Philanthropy, we believe in the power of different voices. We encourage authenticity anddiversityofeveryindividualwithin our community. Ourcollective voices – donors,volunteers,staff, and patients alike – allow us to work together towards a world without cancer. Committed tobeinga place ofinclusivity,belonging,and change, these are our core values.

DFCI DISCLAIMER :

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

DFCI offers a competitive benefits package including generous healthcare and retirement plans, at minimum 3-weeks’ vacation time in addition to 10 paid holidays, a flexible work environment, and work / life balance. Dana-Farber offers a variety of personal, professional, and leadership development opportunities to all members of its workforce through Institutional programming. Division of Philanthropy offers 75+ specialized professional development sessions designed for staff each year through its in-house learning program, the Center for Advancement Training.

We’re hiring! Learn more about working in the Division of Philanthropy and view all open positions.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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