Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities:

Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program

The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program was established in 2020 by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) to improve participation in clinical trials and transform the clinical research landscape. This initiative is comprised of the Robert A. Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA) for early-stage investigator physicians who have a demonstrated commitment to transforming and expanding access to the clinical research landscape and the Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) for medical students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The goal of the Winn CDA is to train and develop a new generation of community oriented clinical trialists (COCT) who have the knowledge, skills, and commitment to become effective partners with communities to design and conduct clinical trials that will yield new treatments that are effective in all populations.

The Winn CDA is a two-year program designed to support the career development of early-stage investigator physicians into independent clinical trial investigators who will become community-oriented clinical trialists who will drive improved health outcomes through their research and mentoring.

The goal of the Winn CIPP is to build a pathway of community-oriented clinical trialists of diverse backgrounds who are committed to improving participation in the conduct of clinical and translational research. The Program provides medical students a six-week summer service learning externship in community-based clinical research sites where they benefit from exposures to clinical research, community engagement experiences, and leadership development.

Position Primary Purpose and General Responsibilities

*** Please note this position is fully remote.

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, the Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives (DODSI) is responsible for overseeing and executing the strategic planning, implementation, and management of fundraising and development initiatives for the Winn Awards. The DODSI will play a critical role in the overall growth of the organization by identifying, cultivating, and stewarding relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders. Development and strategic initiatives combine alumni engagement, events, and communications. The DODSI will develop, manage, and execute a comprehensive plan to build strategic relationships that align with the mission, vision, and values of the Winn Awards Program. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated with an entrepreneurial spirit. They must also have a depth of experience with corporate and foundation relations and pipeline development. Individuals with exposure to fundraising within academic medicine or healthcare and motivated by the Winn Awards groundbreaking mission to improve participation in clinical research are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities of this position are as follows:

• Lead the creation and implementation of the Program’s development and external partnerships strategy.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to align development strategies with the Program’s goals for long-term sustainability.
• Identify, build, and maintain relationships with funding sources including foundations, corporate partners, government grants, and individual donors.
• Research and identify grant opportunities, write compelling proposals, and manage grant reporting requirements.
• Monitor fundraising results and financial performance, analyzing trends and making data driven decisions to optimize fundraising strategies.
• Set annual and long-term fundraising goals and monitor progress toward achieving targets, utilizing data and analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising efforts.
• Develop and implement alumni programs and leverage digital outreach strategies to enhance engagement, mentorship, and professional development.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for senior leadership and Board members.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives to engage donors and raise funds.
• Create and execute cultivation and stewardship plans to engage philanthropic partners and enhance their involvement and commitment to the Program.
• Oversee the development, writing, editing, design, and production of engagement and fundraising communications.
• Collaborate with the Communication Department to ensure effective messaging and materials that include development and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations, legal requirements, and ethical standards.
• Represent the organization at networking events, conferences, and meetings to expand its visibility and donor base.

Minimum Hiring Standards

• Demonstrated commitment to racial and health equity
• A Bachelor’s degree and seven years of experience in communications, marketing,
• public affairs, development, alumni relations, or related background.
• Proven fundraising expertise, with a successful track record in donor relations, major gifts, grants, corporate and foundation partnerships, and strategic planning.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards

• Experience building programs from scratch, particularly in a young organization, using data to communicate goals, track progress, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Experience with fundraising tools, donor management systems, and platforms that support development efforts.
• Comfort navigating a fast-paced and evolving environment with resilience and adaptability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey mission impact to diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Collaborative, mission-driven, and service-oriented, with a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Ability to influence and inspire others, gaining commitment and buy-in from stakeholders.
• Strong volunteer management skills and experience leading engagement initiatives with a sensitivity to the needs and perspectives of donors, alumni, and staff.