Program Director, Donor Communications

Fred Hutch Cancer Center; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center seeks a Program Director, Donor Communications to lead high-impact donor messaging and fundraising communications. You will guide a team of writers, shape direct response and annual giving campaigns, and ensure all materials align with brand standards and fundraising priorities.

The role collaborates across Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications, partnering with senior leaders to grow donor engagement, retain supporters, and advance Fred Hutch’s mission through

Qualifications

• Experience creating donor-focused messaging across print, digital, and events.
• Ability to translate program goals into compelling communications strategies.
• Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver clear donor communications with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead writers to produce compelling campaigns, stewardship materials, and donor stories.
• Advise teams on communication strategies to boost engagement and revenue.
• Manage team capacity and timelines with senior leadership.
• Ensure materials reflect brand standards and fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate to uphold messaging and visual identity across materials.
• Lead program priorities and drive growth within Philanthropy.

Skills

Communication

Content leadership

Donor campaigns

Brand guidelines

Project management

Tools

CMS

Job description

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

About Philanthropy

Fred Hutch's Philanthropy department raises funds that accelerate cancer and related disease research, clinical research, and advance education to help Fred Hutch become the world's best cancer center. Since April 2022, Fred Hutch has served as the cancer program for UW Medicine, and Philanthropy is proud to raise funds that fuel the adult oncology program on behalf of both Fred Hutch and UW Medicine.

Our team of more than 140 staff implement high-performing, relationship-based fundraising programs that engage and inspire thousands of supporters who are passionate about fueling world-changing science. Our FY27 goals include advancing our ambitious $3 billion Campaign for Fred Hutch, increasing our annual fundraising, deepening our patient family fundraising, and expanding support from local and national communities. Our success is made possible through a deep commitment to operational excellence and an environment of belonging.

Job Summary

The Program Director, Donor Communications , is a member of the Experience & Engagement program and reports to the Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing. The Experience & Engagement program is responsible for broad-based fundraising; peer-to-peer programming; donor communications and donor marketing; and a robust pipeline of events.

The Program Director, Donor Communications, collaborates with departmental leaders and implementing partners to drive Philanthropy initiatives and programs. The Program Director, Donor Communications, directs high-impact, complex projects tied to fundraising and fundraising-adjacent efforts and serves as a strategic thought partner to Philanthropy's senior leadership team. The Program Director, Donor Communications, leads Philanthropy writers responsible for creating and refining print and digital materials to help engage and retain 50,000 donors each year and increase support of Fred Hutch's mission, including growing online giving to $10 million annually.

Some travel and weekend and evening work will be required.

This position is a hybrid role with a minimum two days per week at our South Lake Union campus.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver clear, accurate, and inspiring communications for donor and prospective donor audiences in collaboration with colleagues across Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications as well as scientific and clinical stakeholders and agency partners.
• Lead Philanthropy writers and other content producers to conceptualize and develop compelling, credible communications, including direct response and other annual giving campaigns, event communications and programming, stewardship collateral, correspondence, donor and patient stories, and website content.
• Advise Annual Giving, Peer-to-Peer, Obliteride, Planned Giving, and other Philanthropy teams on communication strategies to optimize donor engagement and increase revenue and participation.
• Partner with Senior Executive Director, Donor Communications & Marketing, to manage team capacity to meet project expectations and timelines.
• Ensure written materials are consistent with organizational priorities and fundraising opportunities as well as effectively organized and presented.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy and Marketing & Communications colleagues to uphold brand, messaging, and visual identity standards and style guidelines in donor materials.
• Lead a program area by establishing and delivering on program priorities and goals.
• Partner with leadership, collaborators in Philanthropy and other departments, and/or external partners to manage and grow a key program within Philanthropy.
• Lead the strategy a