Creative Director

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Brookline, Northern (MA, KY); On-site; USD 135,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is seeking a Creative Director to lead the creative team in translating the philanthropic mission into storytelling, brand expression, and integrated campaigns supporting fundraising and donor engagement. The role partners with Philanthropy Communications and Integrated Marketing to shape narrative direction and ensure brand integrity across disciplines.

This position reports to the AVP, Philanthropy Brand Communications.

Qualifications

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, visual communication, marketing, or related field.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in creative leadership or marketing communications.
• Strong portfolio across multiple channels demonstrating brand systems.
• Exceptional storytelling and visual communication skills.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing, digital, and communications.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into clear narratives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the creative lead for the Division of Philanthropy, shaping brand storytelling and integrated campaigns.
• Develop and lead creative strategies for major fundraising initiatives across the Division.
• Oversee end-to-end creative development across print, digital, video, social, photography, and experiential donor engagement.
• Apply audience insights and performance data to refine strategy and improve storytelling and design effectiveness.
• Steward and evolve brand standards within philanthropic communications and maintain high standards of design quality.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver cohesive campaigns and provide creative advisory across the Division.
• Lead, mentor, and strengthen the creative function and operations, improving processes and managing stakeholders.

Skills

Creative leadership

Brand storytelling

Stakeholder management

Data-driven

Design systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Creative Director role leads the creative team that translates Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's philanthropic mission into compelling storytelling, brand expression, and integrated creative campaigns supporting the division's fundraising and donor engagement goals. Partnering with Philanthropy Communications and Integrated Marketing leadership, this role shapes the creative and narrative direction of that work, sets the standard for craft and storytelling across disciplines, and directs, develops, and structures the team behind it. The role demands as much rigor in building the team as in the work itself. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Philanthropy Brand Communications.

This position's work location is fully remote with occasional time on-campus in Brookline, MA. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the creative lead for the Division of Philanthropy, shaping how Dana-Farber’s mission and impact are communicated through brand storytelling and integrated campaigns. Partner with senior marketing leadership to align creative strategy with fundraising priorities and institutional goals.
• Develop and lead creative strategies for major fundraising initiatives, including donor communications and integrated marketing across the Division. Translate institutional priorities, fundraising objectives, and audience insights into compelling creative approaches and storytelling frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end creative development across channels, from concept through execution for print, digital, video, social, photography, and experiential donor engagement. Ensure integrated creative approaches connect platforms and touchpoints into a cohesive narrative.
• Use insights to strengthen performance and engagement, applying audience research, performance data, and campaign learnings to refine strategy and improve storytelling and design effectiveness. Balance creative intuition with data-informed decision-making to drive measurable impact.
• Steward and evolve brand standards within philanthropic communications, maintaining consistency for Dana-Farber and The Jimmy Fund while encouraging thoughtful innovation. Review and guide creative work to uphold high standards of design quality, storytelling, and brand alignment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver cohesive campaigns, partnering with Integrated Philanthropy Marketing, Philanthropy Communications, fundraising teams, writers, strategists, and digital teams. Serve as a creative advisor across the Division, including reviewing results with partners and applying learnings to future work.
• Lead, mentor, and strengthen the creative function and operations, guiding designers and art directors through clear direction, feedback, and development. Improve processes and workflows, ensure on-time/on-budget delivery, manage freelance/vendor relationships, and contribute to planning and strategic discussions that shape philanthropy marketing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across a People leadership: Mentoring and growing creative teams, setting direction and standards, managing budgets/timelines/vendors, and improving workflows.
• Industry and design knowledge: Expertise in design thinking, typography, and layout, as well as other forms of marketing.
• Data and insights capability: Using research, segmentation, testing, and performance metrics to optimize creative and improve engagement.
• Cross-functional influence and stakeholder management: Partnering with senior leaders and diverse teams, aligning priorities, navigating feedback, and building consensus.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Directly supervise members of the creative team, including designers and art directors, and collaborate closely with cross-functional partners across the Division of Philanthropy.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree required preferably in graphic design, visual communication, marketing, or a related field.

Minimum Experience:

• 6+ years of relevant work experience in in creative leadership, brand design, or marketing communications.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating impactful creative work across multiple channels.
• Deep understanding of brand systems and integrated marketing campaigns.
• Exceptional storytelling and visual communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing, digital, and communications.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to articulate creative vision and strategy.
• Experience developing integrated campaigns across digital, video, and traditional channels.
• Ability to apply audience insights and performance data to inform creative strategy and campaign development.

License/Certification/Registration: None

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$135,200.00 - $158,200.00