Vice President, Philanthropy Communications and Marketing

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Brookline (MA); Hybrid; USD 340,000 - 375,000; Full time

Job summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute seeks a Vice President of Philanthropy Communications & Marketing to lead strategy across communications, marketing, digital engagement, media, and brand management within the Division of Philanthropy. The role sets vision and priorities, aligns with institutional objectives, and drives donor-facing communications to advance fundraising outcomes.

The position is onsite in Brookline, MA with up to one day remote weekly, and requires strong leadership, cross-functional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, business or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, donor relations, or fundraising marketing.
• Minimum of 5 years of senior management and leadership experience.
• Experience leading comprehensive marketing and communications functions.
• Healthcare/academic medical center or nonprofit/philanthropic experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead philanthropy communications, integrated marketing, media relations and digital engagement to drive fundraising growth.
• Oversee donor-facing and public-facing communications, including publications, websites, email marketing and social media.
• Set annual goals, monitor performance with data and brand impact, and align with institutional objectives.
• Provide executive leadership across philanthropy marketing and communications teams and budgets.
• Maintain brand standards and protect logos, trademarks and fundraising branding governance.
• Collaborate across departments and with external partners on donor engagement strategies.

Skills

Executive leadership

Donor engagement

Brand strategy

Communications

Public relations

Budget oversight

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in communications, marketing, business or related field

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

The Vice President of Philanthropy Communications & Marketing provides strategic leadership for all communications, marketing, digital engagement, media, public relations and brand management activities within the Division of Philanthropy.

This role is responsible for setting vision, priorities, and performance goals across philanthropy marketing and communications functions, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives and brand standards. The Vice President serves as a key advisor and decisionmaker on donor-facing communications, digital strategy, publications, media relations, trademark and logo usage, event promotion and recognition initiatives. Success in this role requires an enterprise mindset, strong leadership, operational excellence, cross-functional collaboration, in-person presence, and the ability to use marketing and donor engagement strategies to advance fundraising outcomes.

This position’s work location is onsite in Brookline, MA with up to one day per week remote. The selected candidate may only work remotely from a New England state (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI).

Application Requirements

Resume and cover letter required with application submission.

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.

1. Strategic Marketing and Communications Leadership

• Lead the overall strategy for philanthropy communications, integrated marketing, media relations and digital engagement to support fundraising growth for Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.
• Oversee all donor-facing and public-facing philanthropy communications, including publications, websites, email marketing, social media, search marketing, digital advertising, mobile engagement, and related campaigns.
• Establish annual marketing and communication goals, priorities, and key performance indicators aligned with division and institutional objectives. Evaluate marketing performance and philanthropic opportunities through data, analytics, and brand impact.
• Provide leadership visibility and alignment with broader Dana-Farber Communications and Marketing efforts
• Ensure all materials and activities reflect and reinforce institutional and campaign brand standards and serve as the senior authority in Division of Philanthropy on logo use, branding policies, trademarks, and fundraising-related brand governance.
• Identify opportunities to increase donor activation, engagement, and retention through integrated, data-informed marketing strategies as a part of an evolving Division and growing Institution
• Support division-wide fundraising success by aligning communications and donor engagement efforts with revenue goals.

2. Team Leadership and Talent Management

• Provide executive leadership for major functional areas: Integrated Philanthropy Marketing, and Philanthropy Communications and oversee a total staff of over 40 full-time employees.
• Assess team structure, capabilities, and staffing needs to support evolving strategic priorities.
• Establish clear goals, expectations, accountability measures, and development plans for direct reports and teams.
• Coach and mentor senior leaders, including direct supervision of two Assistant Vice Presidents, while fostering growth, engagement, and high performance across the organization.
• Foster a culture of engagement, inclusion and collaboration as a team leader and as a member of the Division of Philanthropy Senior Management Group and Philanthropy Leadership Team

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Institutional Partnership

• Partner closely with institutional communications and marketing teams to align philanthropy campaigns, messaging, branding, and visibility efforts.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on trademark, copyright, and intellectual property matters related to fundraising and donor engagement.
• Work with Facilities and related departments on donor recognition, signage, naming, and building-related stewardship matters.
• Support initiatives and relationships connected to philanthropic commitments, donor-funded programs, and special institutional priorities.
• Maintain and strengthen strategic relationships with major external partners, volunteers and affiliated brands to support shared visibility and engagement goals.

4. Operations, Budget, and Resource Management

• Lead financial planning and resource allocation and oversee spending for supervised functions to support strategic priorities and team development.
• Ensure efficient processes, strong operational planning, and appropriate use of resources across the department.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree required in communications, marketing, business or related field, Masters Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in marketing, communications, public relations, donor relations, digital/web strategy, social media, mobile marketing, or fundraising marketing.
• Minimum of 5 years of senior management and leadership experience
• Experience leading comprehensive marketing and communications functions.
• Experience within a healthcare, academic medical center, nonprofit, or philanthropic environment preferred.
• Familiarity with development and fundraising strategy strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated executive leadership in communications, marketing, and brand strategy
• Strong understanding of philanthropy and donor engagement, including stewardship, fundraising communications, and audience development
• Proven ability to lead in a results-oriented fundraising environment
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and budget oversight capabilities
• Exceptional editorial judgment and attention to detail
• Ability to build credibility and work effectively with senior leaders, major donors, internal stakeholders, and external partners
• Strong customer service orientation and stakeholder management skills
• High degree of digital fluency, including understanding of multi-channel marketing, content strategy, social platforms, websites, analytics, accessibility, and privacy considerations
• Ability to use data and insights to guide decisions and improve engagement outcomes

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusiveenvironment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionateprofessionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

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

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).

$340,000.00 - $375,000.00