Director of Advancement (Research Philanthropy)

Key Responsibilities

Advancement & Fundraising Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of comprehensive fundraising strategies supporting the institutional advancement goals of the NRI and TCRI.
• Oversee principal and major gift initiatives while managing and developing a high-performing advancement team.
• Maintain an active portfolio of key donor relationships and lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for high-value prospects and donors.
• Establish performance metrics and fundraising benchmarks to drive accountability and team success.

Campaign & Priority Fundraising Leadership

• Partner with research and philanthropy executives, faculty leaders, and board members to establish fundraising priorities and campaign strategies.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraising teams to identify donor alignment opportunities and maximize philanthropic engagement.
• Develop measurable fundraising goals and provide ongoing reporting related to campaign progress and donor activity.
• Manage relationships with volunteer leadership and philanthropic stakeholders.

Philanthropic Communications & Storytelling

• Lead strategic communications initiatives that elevate awareness and visibility of the NRI and TCRI mission, leadership, and research impact.
• Oversee the development of donor-facing proposals, publications, case studies, online content, and video storytelling in partnership with Texas Children’s creative and marketing teams.
• Communicate the impact of philanthropy in advancing research innovation and institutional priorities.

Donor Engagement & Portfolio Management

• Expand and strengthen the national and global philanthropic footprint for the NRI and TCRI.
• Build and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to increase donor engagement and long-term philanthropic support.
• Partner with marketing and public relations teams to amplify awareness around research breakthroughs and institutional achievements.
• Develop engagement opportunities for fundraising volunteers and key stakeholders to deepen donor relationships.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership

• Foster collaborative partnerships across Philanthropy, Marketing, Public Relations, and Research teams to support fundraising growth and operational excellence.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance to advancement team members to support annual goal achievement and professional growth.
• Promote a positive, transparent, collaborative, and mission-driven team culture.
• Emphasize efficient and cost-effective fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships and maximize impact.

Donor Data & Reporting

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect activity within fundraising technology platforms and CRM systems.
• Utilize data and reporting tools to monitor fundraising performance, pipeline activity, and donor movement.
• Support data integrity and reporting processes that inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, campaign management, and philanthropic operations
• Proven success securing and managing major gifts and building long-term donor relationships
• Exceptional communication, storytelling, and executive relationship management skills
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously while driving measurable outcomes
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and partner effectively across diverse stakeholder groups
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project execution capabilities
• Research fundraising experience preferred

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of fundraising experience
• 5+ years of leadership and people management experience

Preferred

• 10+ years of major gift fundraising experience

About Texas Children’s

Since 1954, Texas Children’s has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city’s Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years. 

Texas Children’s comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the new state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin and Central Texas families. We have also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation. 

 To join our community of 15,000+ dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities.

 Texas Children’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.