Vice President, Philanthropy

Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 275,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) with company match

Job summary

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) seeks a strategic Vice President of Philanthropy to drive individual giving and deepen donor relationships. You will manage a portfolio of major gifts, cultivate gifts from $250K to $5M, and partner with the CEO, scientific leaders, and board members to convert scientific breakthroughs into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

This is an entrepreneurial frontline fundraising leadership role in a hybrid work environment, responsible for

Qualifications

• Proven ability to secure major gifts of $250K+ and close $1M+ commitments
• Strong relationship-building with executives, scientists, boards and donors
• Exceptional written and oral communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to translate complex science into compelling philanthropic narratives

Responsibilities

• Co-lead the execution of the individual philanthropy strategy with emphasis on major gifts
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and philanthropies
• Set goals, metrics, and moves management for donor prospects and stewardship
• Develop revenue forecasts and build a robust donor pipeline
• Support CEO and leadership in donor engagement and briefing materials
• Activate donor networks and peer-to-peer fundraising relationships
• Design personalized cultivation strategies linking donors to PICI’s mission

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic fundraising

Major gifts closing

Donor stewardship

Communication/presentation

Job description

About Us:

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is radically changing the way cancer research is done. Founded in 2016 through a $250 million gift from Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Parker, the San Francisco-based nonprofit is an unprecedented collaboration between the country’s leading immunotherapy researchers and cancer centers, including Stanford Medicine, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Pennsylvania, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Gladstone Institutes. The institute also supports top researchers at other institutions, including City of Hope, Memorial Sloan‑Kettering, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Institute for Systems Biology and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

By forging alliances with academic, industry and nonprofit partners, PICI makes big bets on bold research to fulfill its mission: to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases.

Help us create a world that doesn’t fear cancer. Join us. www.parkerici.org

Overview of the Role:

responsible for driving growth in PICI’s individual philanthropy program and deepening relationships with the donors who power its mission. This leader will manage and grow a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects, with particular emphasis on gifts of $250K to $5M, cultivating relationships with individuals, families, family foundations, and philanthropic partners whose values align with PICI’s bold vision for changing the future of cancer. The VP will partner closely with the Chief Organizational Advancement Officer, CEO, scientific and clinical leadership, board members, and colleagues across advancement to translate PICI’s science and vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities. This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial frontline fundraiser who is energized by breakthrough science, ambitious goals, and the chance to help build something exceptional.

Reporting Structure and Team

The Vice President, Philanthropy reports to the Chief Organizational Advancement Officer.

Essential Job Functions

• Co-Lead the execution of PICI’s individual philanthropy strategy in alignment with institutional priorities, with particular emphasis on major and leadership gifts of $250K+, and an emphasis on $1M–$5M+ opportunities
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, including individuals, families, and family foundations, developing strategies for multi-year, unrestricted, and programmatic commitments
• Strengthen the philanthropy program by setting clear goals and metrics and improving prospect identification, qualification, moves management, solicitation planning, and stewardship
• Partner with the Chief Organizational Advancement Officer to develop annual revenue forecasts and strategies to achieve fundraising goals, and to build a pipeline that consistently advances donors toward meaningful philanthropic commitment
• Prepare and support the CEO, board members, and senior leaders in donor engagement, including briefings, talking points, and solicitation strategies, and identify principal-level opportunities to advance with senior leadership
• Develop and activate high-level donor networks, ambassadors, and peer‑to‑peer fundraising relationships, working collaboratively across advancement, communications, events, scientific engagement, and program teams
• Design personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies for PICI’s key donors, creating meaningful experiences that connect donors to PICI’s mission, people, and progress
• Lead, coach, and develop a high‑performing, accountable team of frontline fundraisers

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, including significant frontline major gifts experience, preferably within a leading academic medical center, cancer organization, research institution, foundation, or complex nonprofit
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $250K+ and experience closing $1M+ philanthropic commitments
• Proven ability to personally cultivate and close significant individual and family philanthropy
• Experience developing and executing major gifts strategies and managing a robust donor portfolio
• Polished presence and demonstrated success partnering with executives, board members, scientists, clinicians, and volunteer leaders
• Experience managing, coaching, and developing fundraising staff
• Exceptional relationship‑building, communication, presentation, negotiation, and solicitation skills
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling philanthropic narratives
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, business acumen, accountability, and results orientation

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: $275k - $290k per year based on experience and qualifications
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) with company match

Additional Information:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States; we do not sponsor work visas
• This is a hybrid role
• No relocation assistance will be provided