Director of Development, Duke Cancer

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.

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.