Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, Winn Awards - Massey

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Mission

To improve the lives of all Virginians by delivering cutting-edge cancer care through patient-centered prevention and treatment; high-impact, innovative research; community input and engagement; and education and training of the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

The university and the region

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. Inclusion is our heartbeat and it drives us to tackle difficult challenges others can’t or won’t. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and life experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU dates to 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in central Virginia and which was later renamed Medical College of Virginia. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become what is now known as Virginia Commonwealth University.

Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 28,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its urban campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; satellite locations in Fairfax, Virginia, and Abingdon, Virginia; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.

Ignited by the energy of the city, we’re ready to lead industries — or disrupt them. We seek out the unexpected, the experimental, the never-been-tried. VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $500 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies in FY2024. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 50 public research universities in the country, and we are one of only 69 public universities nationwide to be designated by the Carnegie Foundation as “Community Engaged” with “Very High Research Activity.”

This research enterprise, and the influence of having one of the nation’s top-ranked public graduate arts schools, ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.

VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. VCU as a whole generates more than $9 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond with more than 26,000 employees at VCU and VCU Health, and it supports approximately 58,000 jobs in Virginia. In addition, Virginia classifies VCU with a Tier III status — the highest possible status for universities and colleges — allowing VCU more flexibility in managing its operations to implement best practices and streamline processes. To learn about VCU’s finances, visit about.finance.vcu.edu.

VCU’s mission, under the leadership of President Michael Rao, Ph.D., is to serve as one national urban public research institution dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community through:

• Real-world learning that furthers civic engagement, inquiry, discovery and innovation.

• Research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge and creative expression and promotes translational applications to improve the quality of human life.

• Interdisciplinary collaborations and community partnerships that advance innovation, enhance cultural and economic vitality, and solve society’s most complex challenges.

• Health sciences that preserve and restore health for all people, seek the cause and cure of diseases through groundbreaking research and educate those who serve humanity.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

Benefits At a Glance

Continuing education and professional development for undergraduate and graduate tuition in addition to mandatory fees (except the transition student fee) for a maximum of six credits per semester;

• 28 University Leave Days, 11 State Holidays, and 2 Enhanced Community Service Leave Days;

• Medical, Dental and Vision Health Benefits to meet the needs of employees and their eligible family members from the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as optional FSA;

• Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and other retirement saving options;

• Parental and Caregiver Leave, Short Term Disability (STD), Disability Insurance, Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program;

• Professional development opportunities encouraged and offered for employees as part of annual career development, e.g. certifications, seminars, courses, annual conferences, mentorship, etc.

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.

About Richmond, Virginia

As the commonwealth’s capital, Richmond, Virginia, offers a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA — as locals call the region — to life. Established in 1780, its rich history can be seen in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. With the historic James River and 600 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene (Food and Wine called Richmond a “culinary powerhouse”) and affordable suburbs, this small city punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz. In fact, Travel Leisure named Richmond the best place to live in Virginia in 2023 and Southern Living named Richmond one of the 20 best cities to live in the South in 2024.

Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or Virginia’s many wineries. It’s within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. Entrepreneurs and artists put down roots in Richmond, and Thrillist named it one of the best U.S. cities for creatives in 2022.

Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the No. 1 state in the country to do business six times since the study began in 2007. It has accomplished this by bringing in billions in capital investment and thousands of new jobs; investing in education; expanding access to quality health care for all; making sure everyone has access to opportunity; and more. Business Facilities magazine named Virginia the 2024 State of the Year. Suffice to say, Virginia is full of growth and opportunity, making it the perfect location for a university determined to erase barriers and provide students with robust learning experiences that will make them unstoppable.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

Please note VCU is not able to provide ongoing visa sponsorship for this position.

Massey Cancer Center
Masseyhr@vcu.edu