Vice President, Philanthropy Communications & Marketing

Location: Brookline Job Posting Location

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 executive oversees a team of 40+ full-time staff, including the Assistant Vice Presidents of Integrated Philanthropy Marketing and Philanthropy Communications.

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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.