Texas Childrens Hospital

Director of Advancement (Research Philanthropy)

Texas Childrens Hospital • $100K — $130K *
Houston, TX 77084In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 10+ years of fundraising experience
  • 5+ years of leadership and people management experience
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy and donor cultivation
  • Exceptional communication and storytelling skills
  • Collaborative leadership with ability to influence diverse stakeholders
  • Research fundraising experience preferred

Responsibilities

  • Lead development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies
  • Oversee principal and major gift initiatives while developing advancement team
  • Maintain an active portfolio of key donor relationships to drive engagement
  • Partner with executives and board members to establish fundraising priorities
  • Collaborate with fundraising teams to identify donor alignment opportunities
  • Lead strategic communications initiatives to elevate awareness of NRI and TCRI
  • Expand and strengthen the national and global philanthropic footprint

Benefits

  • Mentorship and professional development opportunities
  • Collaborative and mission-driven team culture
  • Access to advanced fundraising technology and CRM systems
  • Engagement with high-profile stakeholders and board members
  • Participation in impactful philanthropic initiatives
Full Job Description
Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Advancement & Fundraising Strategy
  • Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting the institutional advancement goals of the NRI and TCRI.
  • Oversee principal and major gift initiatives while managing and developing a high-performing advancement team.
  • Maintain an active portfolio of key donor relationships and lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-value prospects and donors.
  • Establish performance metrics and fundraising benchmarks to drive accountability and team success.

Campaign & Priority Fundraising Leadership
  • Partner with research and philanthropy executives, faculty leaders, and board members to establish fundraising priorities and campaign strategies.
  • Collaborate with frontline fundraising teams to identify donor alignment opportunities and maximize philanthropic engagement.
  • Develop measurable fundraising goals and provide ongoing reporting related to campaign progress and donor activity.
  • Manage relationships with volunteer leadership and philanthropic stakeholders.

Philanthropic Communications & Storytelling
  • Lead strategic communications initiatives that elevate awareness and visibility of the NRI and TCRI mission, leadership, and research impact.
  • Oversee the development of donor-facing proposals, publications, case studies, online content, and video storytelling in partnership with Texas Children's creative and marketing teams.
  • Communicate the impact of philanthropy in advancing research innovation and institutional priorities.

Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management
  • Expand and strengthen the national and global philanthropic footprint for the NRI and TCRI.
  • Build and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to increase donor engagement and long-term philanthropic support.
  • Partner with marketing and public relations teams to amplify awareness around research breakthroughs and institutional achievements.
  • Develop engagement opportunities for fundraising volunteers and key stakeholders to deepen donor relationships.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership
  • Foster collaborative partnerships across Philanthropy, Marketing, Public Relations, and Research teams to support fundraising growth and operational excellence.
  • Provide mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance to advancement team members to support annual goal achievement and professional growth.
  • Promote a positive, transparent, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture.
  • Emphasize efficient and cost-effective fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships and maximize impact.

Donor Data & Reporting
  • Maintain accurate donor and prospect activity within fundraising technology platforms and CRM systems.
  • Utilize data and reporting tools to monitor fundraising performance, pipeline activity, and donor movement.
  • Support data integrity and reporting processes that inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, campaign management, and philanthropic operations
  • Proven success securing and managing major gifts and building long-term donor relationships
  • Exceptional communication, storytelling, and executive relationship management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while driving measurable outcomes
  • Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and partner effectively across diverse stakeholder groups
  • Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project execution capabilities
  • Research fundraising experience preferred

Qualifications

Required
  • Bachelor's degree
  • 10+ years of fundraising experience
  • 5+ years of leadership and people management experience

Preferred
  • 10+ years of major gift fundraising experience

About Texas Childrens Hospital

Texas Children's Hospital is a pediatric hospital located in Houston, Texas. The hospital was founded in 1954 and is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. Texas Children's Hospital has over 4,000 employees and is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the United States. The hospital provides a wide range of services, including cancer care, cardiology, neurology, and orthopedics. Texas Children's Hospital has been recognized as one of the best children's hospitals in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.
Learn more about Texas Childrens Hospital
Size
14,000 employees
Industry
Healthcare
Founded
1950
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Texas Childrens Hospital

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Director of Advancement (Research Philanthropy) jobs:

NationwideHouston, TX