Philanthropy Specialist - Leadership Giving (Discovery)

Philanthropy Specialist, Discovery Program

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing health outcomes, UT MD Anderson works to transform lives and improve the future of cancer care. The Discovery Program within UT MD Anderson Philanthropy utilizes an innovative approach that leverages data, donor engagement, direct marketing, and fundraising workflows to grow and strengthen the pipeline of individual giving donors.

The Philanthropy Specialist, Discovery Program serves as a key connection point between donors and the institution, helping create exceptional donor experiences through responsive service, relationship-building, and effective coordination with internal stakeholders. The Philanthropy Specialist, Discovery Program plays an important role in supporting donor retention and engagement, while the Philanthropy Specialist, Discovery Program contributes to the success of leadership giving strategies across the organization.

The ideal candidate is experienced in donor relations, customer service, stakeholder engagement, or a related field and demonstrates exceptional communication, listening, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills. They are skilled at managing donor inquiries, resolving concerns with professionalism and empathy, maintaining accurate records, and collaborating across teams to deliver a positive donor experience. Education, experience, and certification preferences were not provided.

• Minimum $25.48 - Midpoint $31.73 - Maximum $37.98 per hour
• Work Location: Remote
• Typical Work Schedule: Days

Why Us?

UT MD Anderson offers the opportunity to support a mission-driven organization while helping donors connect with meaningful philanthropic initiatives. This role provides the chance to develop expertise in donor engagement, relationship management, project coordination, and cross-functional collaboration while contributing to initiatives that advance cancer care, research, education, and prevention. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth, collaboration, and work-life balance.

• 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
• Consistently deliver skillful execution of team-specific work with a focus on continuous improvement and awareness of impacts across partnered teams
• Execute donor inquiry and engagement processes with accuracy, professionalism, and responsiveness
• Resolve donor requests in a timely manner while maintaining exceptional donor service standards
• Manage and document donor interactions, service recovery activities, and follow-up actions within applicable systems
• Maintain complete and accurate records to support collaboration across internal teams
• Coordinate with frontline fundraising, gift processing, stewardship, and other partners to facilitate donor solutions
• Remove barriers affecting donor satisfaction and support a positive donor experience
• Identify trends, recurring donor concerns, and process inefficiencies through inquiry and call analysis
• Recommend and implement improvements that enhance service delivery, operational effectiveness, and donor satisfaction
• Monitor projects and workflow activities from initiation through completion while tracking outcomes and commitments
• Collaboration & Teaming
• Partner with donors, peers, faculty, and divisional stakeholders on investigations, donor transitions, and engagement activities
• Collaborate with frontline fundraising teams, gift processing, stewardship, and institutional stakeholders to resolve donor inquiries
• Escalate and coordinate complex donor concerns to appropriate teams for resolution
• Facilitate the transition, routing, and follow-through of donor requests and service recovery efforts
• Ensure accountability and successful resolution of donor-related issues
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships throughout the organization
• Promote information sharing, problem-solving, and effective donor support across teams
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and projects supporting donor engagement
• Contribute to process improvement efforts that strengthen service delivery
• Support divisional philanthropic and operational goals through collaborative engagement
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Build and sustain positive relationships with donors, constituents, peers, and institutional stakeholders
• Foster trust and confidence through professional, courteous, and service-oriented interactions
• Engage donors with empathy and social awareness while actively listening to needs and concerns
• Tailor communications to deliver personalized and meaningful donor experiences
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for donor inquiries and requests
• Leverage relationship-building skills and sound judgment to influence positive outcomes
• Strengthen donor loyalty and encourage ongoing engagement with the institution's mission
• Connect donors with appropriate stakeholders to facilitate meaningful engagement and giving opportunities
• Demonstrate diplomacy, adaptability, and professionalism when addressing concerns and service recovery efforts
• Represent UT MD Anderson with professionalism and credibility in all interactions
• EDUCATION
• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• WORK EXPERIENCE
• Required: One year clerical, office, administrative, organizational, or related support experience or may substitute required Bachelor's degree with additional years of equivalent experience on a one to one basis.
• Preferred: Fundraising/non-profit, government agency, marketing, advertising, or public relations, law, healthcare or related industry.
• The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent