Associate Director, Philanthropy - Prospect Development

Associate Director, Philanthropy (Prospect Development)

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the nation's largest cancer center dedicated to cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Decision Science & Analytics department supports institutional fundraising efforts through prospect research, donor intelligence, analytics, and strategic insights that help identify, cultivate, and engage philanthropic supporters.

The Associate Director, Philanthropy (Prospect Research) provides advanced prospect research and data analysis to support fundraising initiatives across UT MD Anderson. The Associate Director, Philanthropy (Prospect Research) partners closely with philanthropy staff, leadership, faculty, and volunteers to identify donor opportunities, evaluate philanthropic capacity, and develop research-driven strategies.

The Associate Director, Philanthropy (Prospect Research) plays a key role in prospect identification, portfolio optimization, and fundraising success.

The ideal candidate has experience conducting prospect research, assessing donor capacity and philanthropic interests, supporting portfolio management activities, and developing fundraising strategies through research and analytics. Experience leading projects, enhancing research processes, improving reporting and scoring methodologies, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders is preferred. Candidates should possess strong analytical, communication, research, and relationship management skills.

• Minimum $32.93/hour - Midpoint $41.11/hour - Maximum $49.28/hour
• Work Location: Remote
• Typical Work Schedule: Days

Why Us?

This role provides an opportunity to directly support the mission of UT MD Anderson by helping fundraising teams identify and engage individuals whose philanthropic support advances cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The position offers exposure to institutional leadership, strategic fundraising initiatives, advanced analytics, and cross-functional collaboration while supporting professional development and work-life balance in a mission-driven environment.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

• Programmatic Project Execution
• Deliver prospect research services with a focus on continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.
• Assess donor capacity, interests, philanthropy, and relationships to identify and qualify prospective donors.
• Assess opportunities for additional philanthropic engagement with existing donors.
• Evaluate prospects suggested by staff, volunteers, and faculty members.
• Identify and map relationships of volunteers and highly engaged donors to uncover new prospects.
• Examine and validate wealth screening results to identify individuals with major gift potential.
• Identify potential major gift prospects using external research sources.
• Monitor news sources to identify relevant information regarding donors and prospective donors.
• Distribute timely prospect intelligence and donor information to support fundraising activities.
• Collaboration & Teaming
• Coordinate Prospect Research activities for designated fundraising teams.
• Attend fundraising strategy meetings and support strategy development.
• Assist assigned teams with event-related prospecting and engagement strategies.
• Educate fundraising staff on Prospect Research functions and services.
• Serve as the liaison between Prospect Research and assigned fundraising teams.
• Develop supportive and productive relationships with philanthropy staff and fundraising stakeholders.
• Collaborate with donors, peers, faculty, and divisional leadership on strategy execution and projects.
• Engage in cross-functional activities to support stakeholder engagement and project goals.
• Provide leadership and direction to future Prospect Research staff.
• Lead projects focused on enhancing prospect research processes, reporting, scoring methodologies, and analytical capabilities.
• Portfolio Management & Strategic Support
• Partner with Prospect Management to support portfolio management activities.
• Participate in portfolio reviews to assess fundraising opportunities and priorities.
• Assist with portfolio resourcing and assignment strategies.
• Support strategy development through donor intelligence, analytics, and research findings.
• Contribute to collaborative initiatives designed to achieve fundraising goals and objectives.
• Focused Prospect Research & Analysis
• Conduct comprehensive prospect research to support donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Research and analyze constituent wealth, philanthropic interests, affiliations, and relationships.
• Compose detailed prospect research reports and analyses.
• Provide actionable intelligence to support fundraising decision-making.
• Conduct due diligence research as part of the pre-solicitation review process.
• Maintain awareness of institutional priorities and fundraising objectives when evaluating prospects.
• Data Management & Information Stewardship
• Maintain thorough working knowledge of the database system.
• Enter prospect research findings into the database system.
• Update constituent records and research information to ensure accuracy.
• Maintain data integrity and consistency within research records.
• Organize and present information in thoughtful, engaging, and actionable formats.
• Manage multiple priorities while maintaining situational, cultural, and institutional awareness.
• Navigate cross-functional teams in support of division and team objectives.
• EDUCATION
• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: Four years or more in fundraising/non-profit, government agency, marketing, advertising, or public relations, law, healthcare or related industry experience.
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent