Director of Development, Duke Cancer

Duke University; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks a Director of Development in Durham to lead major gift fundraising for the Duke Cancer Institute. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 75-100 prospects, building partnerships with faculty, clinicians, and leaders to advance priorities in care, research, and education.

With strong communication and strategic planning skills, you will travel as needed, collaborate across Duke Health, and drive multi-year fundraising pipelines that translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; CFRE/advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in major gift fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for gifts.
• Secure support for Duke Cancer Institute's priorities and funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate prospect records and moves management in the fundraising database.
• Collaborate across Duke Health and Duke University to coordinate multi-interest prospects.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Portfolio management

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix)

Requisition Number: 275541

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Date: Oct 5, 2026

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You.

Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs (DHDAA) supports a flexible work environment by offering on-site (in office 5 days a week),hybrid (in office a minimum of 3 days a week or defined by manager), remote (work off-site 5 days a week), and flexible start and end time work arrangements. All team members must reside within a 50 mile radius of our downtown Durham office.

If working a hybrid or remote schedule, individuals must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. With approval from their manager, staff members may work a flexible schedule in terms of start/end times, while working within DHDAA’s core work hours between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (eastern standard). At the discretion of Managers and/or Senior Leadership, staff working a hybrid, remote or flex schedule may be required to be in the office on days and/or times outside of the agreed upon schedule.

This position is located full time in Durham, NC. This is not a remote position.

The Director of Development, Duke Cancer Institute (DCI), reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development for Duke Cancer Institute and Duke Children’s. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $100,000 and above, with a primary focus on grateful patients and families.

The Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 75-100 prospects and donors, developing meaningful partnerships that advance the mission and priorities of Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Health and Duke’s comprehensive cancer enterprise. Working collaboratively with faculty, clinical leaders, volunteers, and colleagues across Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs (DHDAA), the Director will connect philanthropic interests with institutional priorities in patient care, research, education, and innovation.

EDUCATION

Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through

completion of a bachelor's degree program.

EXPERIENCE

Work requires five years of progressive frontline fundraising experience with a proven track record

of success in major gift fundraising.OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

DEPARTMENT PREFERENCES / SKILLS

• Advanced degree and CFRE preferred.
• Major gift fundraising including partnership with faculty, clinicians, or researchers.
• Experience translating complex scientific or healthcare initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, or corporations.
• Proven track record of securing gifts of $1 million or more and generating $5-10 million in annual fundraising results.
• Strong ability to manage multiple complex fundraising strategies simultaneously and drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong relationship-building, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative, self-motivated professional with sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to advancing the mission of Duke Cancer Institute and Duke Health and supporting excellence across Duke’s comprehensive cancer enterprise, including groundbreaking research, exceptional patient care, education, and community impact.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing donor portfolios and developing sustainable fundraising pipelines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, volunteers, faculty, physicians, board members, and senior leaders.
• Ability to travel as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support donor engagement and fundraising activities.

Be Bold.

Major Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift prospects and donors.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies leading to successful major and principal-level gift commitments.
• Secure philanthropic support for Duke Cancer Institute's strategic priorities and funding opportunities.
• Maintain accurate prospect records, contact reports, and moves management within the fundraising database.

Faculty and Institutional Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with oncology faculty, physicians, and clinical leaders to increase grateful patient referrals and philanthropic engagement.
• Partner with faculty and administrators to identify, prioritize, and articulate funding opportunities across research, clinical care, education, and programmatic initiatives.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between donors and institutional leadership to advance fundraising goals.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Coordinate cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and engagement activities for donors and prospects.
• Prepare proposals, briefing materials, donor communications, and other fundraising-related materials.
• Support donor-related events and stewardship initiatives that strengthen long-term relationships and inspire continued investment.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Partner with colleagues across Duke Health and Duke University to coordinate strategies for prospects with multiple philanthropic interests.
• Support the Duke Cancer Institute Board of Advisors and other volunteer leadership groups.
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing fundraising team and achieve annual performance metrics and fundraising goals.
• Follow DHDAA policies, procedures, and fundraising best practices.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $79,724.00 to USD $159,445.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.