Senior Manager, Leadership Philanthropy

AACR Foundation:

The AACR Foundation was established in 2000. The purpose of the Foundation is to raise funds for cancer research, for AACR’s programs and services, and for the overall promotion of the organization’s mission. The AACR Foundation has the creativity, innovation, and flexibility to support AACR in making significant advances in the prevention and conquest of cancer. With the help of contributors from among the AACR membership, colleagues, and friends in the national and international cancer community, and corporations and foundations, the AACR Foundation is poised to help the AACR achieve important victories in the fight against cancer.  The AACR Foundation was preceded by a Development Division at AACR formed in 1997. During the past twenty plus years, the Division grew from a fundraising operation that raised $1.5 million in 1998, to a staff of twenty people raising upwards of $30 million today.  Among the AACR Foundation’s current programs are corporate contributions, industry alliances, foundation grants, individual annual giving campaigns, community endurance events, and web-based engagement.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager position will partner with the AACR Foundation leadership and peers to help build a fundraising program to grow the culture of philanthropy across the institution in support of AACR’s scientific community. The Senior Manager will strive to develop the pipeline of major, principal, and planned gifts by engaging with AACR’s emeriti donors, prospects, and other stakeholders to strengthen existing relationships, as well as expand the institution’s portfolio of donors. Discovery work is a significant component of the position, offering an opportunity to establish and deepen relationships that benefit the organization.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Associate Director of Leadership Philanthropy, build, implement and manage AACR’s mid-level donor and complex giving program(s) with specific focus on membership and scientific initiative giving
• Contribute to the development of the major gifts pipeline by leveraging relationships with donors, supporters, scientists, staff, and others
• Develop and maintain a personal portfolio of donors and prospects
• Analyze AACR’s donor program and help develop strategies for acquiring, renewing, and upgrading donors, specifically targeting the AACR membership base and planned gifts
• Manage and document moves management activities to track portfolio progression to meet annual and multi-year revenue goals
• Build relationships with donors and prospects via personal visits, Zoom meetings, phone calls, ongoing written contact, and events on own or in collaboration with Leadership Philanthropy and Scientific Initiatives
• Use Cancer Today Magazine and other AACR marketing collateral to enhance stewardship efforts
• Ensure that all donors and donor interactions are tracked accurately in Salesforce and that individual gifts are acknowledged in a timely and appropriate manner
• Participate in activities that help meet the goals and objectives of the development team, including attendance at institution-wide meetings, community lectures and events, scientific talks, as well as at other engagements
• Support donor stewardship and cultivation through the creation of content collateral and events in coordination with the Foundation team
• Assist with other duties assigned by the Director of Leadership Philanthropy
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Foundation team across all organizational revenue streams as needed

Qualifications:

•  4-7 years of experience in nonprofit development, including knowledge of planned giving
• Experience with donor and volunteer cultivation, stewardship, and procurement with proven success of executing on goals, moves management, and experience leading and partnering with staff and volunteers to achieve desired outcomes.
• Experience working with donors who have a vested interest in directly supporting research.
• Uniquely people-oriented with a natural and innate desire to connect and build relationships.
• Outstanding communication skills, articulate, and persuasive with well-honed relationship building skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the presence and personal style to represent the organization with multiple constituents.
• Experience with budgeting and financial management
• Ability to travel for donor meetings, events and industry conferences (minimum of 25%)
• Working knowledge of CRMs such as Salesforce

Characteristics:

• Passionate about AACR’s mission to prevent and cure cancer.
• Entrepreneurial, visionary approach with the ability to conceive of, execute, and communicate innovative solutions.
• Must be a self-starter who takes initiative and can balance big picture strategy and execution against plans.
• Outstanding, articulate, and persuasive communication skills, with well-honed relationship building skills and excellent public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, and proven track record of success in solving complex and dynamic situations.
• Resourceful with available funding and creating fund development opportunities for donor and funder partnerships.
• Adaptable and flexible, ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, results-oriented culture with limited guidance and a service-oriented mindset.
• Fosters a strong, positive, and collaborative team environment and is skilled in coaching and developing others while providing mentorship and guidance where needed.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to maintain diplomacy and composure under pressure.
• Commitment to personal learning and development and openness to feedback