Program Director, Donor Communications

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

About Philanthropy

Fred Hutch’s Philanthropy department raises funds that accelerate cancer and related disease research, clinical research, and advance education to help Fred Hutch become the world’s best cancer center. Since April 2022, Fred Hutch has served as the cancer program for UW Medicine, and Philanthropy is proud to raise funds that fuel the adult oncology program on behalf of both Fred Hutch and UW Medicine.

 

Our team of more than 140 staff implement high-performing, relationship-based fundraising programs that engage and inspire thousands of supporters who are passionate about fueling world-changing science. Our FY27 goals include advancing our ambitious $3 billion Campaign for Fred Hutch, increasing our annual fundraising, deepening our patient family fundraising, and expanding support from local and national communities. Our success is made possible through a deep commitment to operational excellence and an environment of belonging.

 

Job Summary

The Program Director, Donor Communications, is a member of the Experience & Engagement program and reports to the Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing. The Experience & Engagement program is responsible for broad-based fundraising; peer-to-peer programming; donor communications and donor marketing; and a robust pipeline of events.

 

The Program Director, Donor Communications, collaborates with departmental leaders and implementing partners to drive Philanthropy initiatives and programs. The Program Director, Donor Communications, directs high-impact, complex projects tied to fundraising and fundraising-adjacent efforts and serves as a strategic thought partner to Philanthropy’s senior leadership team. The Program Director, Donor Communications, leads Philanthropy writers responsible for creating and refining print and digital materials to help engage and retain 50,000 donors each year and increase support of Fred Hutch’s mission, including growing online giving to $10 million annually.

 

Some travel and weekend and evening work will be required.

 

This position is a hybrid role with a minimum two days per week at our South Lake Union campus.

• Design and deliver clear, accurate, and inspiring communications for donor and prospective donor audiences in collaboration with colleagues across Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications as well as scientific and clinical stakeholders and agency partners.
• Lead Philanthropy writers and other content producers to conceptualize and develop compelling, credible communications, including direct response and other annual giving campaigns, event communications and programming, stewardship collateral, 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 optimize donor engagement and increase revenue and participation.
• Partner with Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing, to manage team capacity to meet project expectations and timelines.
• Ensure written materials are consistent with organizational priorities and fundraising opportunities as well as effectively organized and presented.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications colleagues to uphold brand, messaging, and visual identity standards and style guidelines in donor materials.
• Lead a program area by establishing and delivering on program priorities and goals.
• Partner with leadership, collaborators in Philanthropy and other departments, and/or external partners to manage and grow a key program within Philanthropy.
• Lead the strategy and operational execution of the program, including setting strategic objectives and performance metrics.
• Convene and align stakeholders, identify opportunities to advance the program, and anticipate and mitigate obstacles.
• Collaboratively evaluate relevant Philanthropy operations and systems; provide strategic direction and oversight on process improvements.
• Mobilize and oversee implementation of new initiatives and maintain/expand current program; stay abreast of and incorporate industry and organizational best practices.
• Serve as a Philanthropy liaison, representing interests to other Fred Hutch departments (such as Finance, Office of Sponsored Research, Director’s Office, scientific or clinical divisions, Marketing & Communications, or Office of
• General Counsel) and external organizations.
• Advance information exchanges among leaders of various organizations and vendors to shape structures and systems that help Philanthropy innovate.
• Build trusted relationships to work effectively across multiple teams.
• Supervise employee workload and day-to-day responsibilities to achieve program goals; partner with and provide leadership and mentorship to Philanthropy colleagues.
• Align program and project strategies with Fred Hutch goals and strategic plans.
• Serve as a leader of others, leader of a program, and may include responsibility or oversight of a fundraising initiative or fundraising-enabling program.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Eight years related experience including at least two years managing a team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience leading and managing writers and operating in a fast-paced communications environment. Track record of synthesizing leadership priorities and complex subject matter into effective communications strategies and engaging deliverables; experience successfully guiding creative staff in doing the same.
• Excellent editing and persuasive writing skills. Demonstrated ability to translate scientific and health information into communications suitable for a lay audiences, including donors and/or patient families.
• Proficiency with Adobe InDesign as well as Asana, Smartsheet, or other project management software.
• Experience in nonprofit, research, or health care environment with campaign planning or campaign implementation experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Highly developed organizational and information management skills.
• Strong attention to a high level of detail and quality of work.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple key initiatives concurrently with the ability to adjust to emerging priorities.
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively 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.

Candidates should submit a cover letter and writing sample with their application to be considered. 

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The annual base salary range for this position is from $130,167 to $205,712, and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H-1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H-1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees a comprehensive benefits package designed to enhance health, well-being, and financial security. Benefits include medical/vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, life, disability, retirement, family life support, employee assistance program, onsite health clinic, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation (12-22 days per year), paid sick leave (12-25 days per year), paid holidays (13 days per year), and paid parental leave (up to 4 weeks).

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.