Associate Director and Senior Associate of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neuroscience
Job Description
External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking two highly qualified candidates for development officer positions within the UVA Health Development Office:
Senior Associate Director of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neurosciences
Associate Director of Development, Cancer Programs OR Neurosciences
The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.
Position(s) Summary
The UVA Health Development team seeks two experienced and accomplished individuals to serve at the Associate Director of Development or Senior Associate Director of Development level for our Cancer Programs and Neurosciences teams.
The Cancer Programs role:
Reporting to the Executive Director, Cancer Programs, the successful candidate for the Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development role will maximize fundraising support for research, clinical care programs, and education through strong partnerships with faculty and healthcare providers, patient families, community members, UVA alumni, and private foundations for cancer and other areas as assigned.
UVA Health is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia and among the top 50 hospitals nationally by Newsweek. The University of Virginia (UVA) Cancer Center’s mission is to reduce the burden of cancer for the patients of today through skilled, integrated, and compassionate care, and to eliminate the threat of cancer for the patients of tomorrow through research and education. The UVA Cancer Center was founded in 1984, received its NCI designation in 1987, and was recognized as an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center beginning in 2022.
The Neuroscience’s role:
Reporting to the Director of Development, Neurosciences, the successful candidate for the Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development role will manage a growing portfolio within Neurosciences, one of the institution’s most dynamic and high-priority areas. This role will directly support innovative research, cutting-edge clinical care, and emerging priorities across several departments including neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and other areas as assigned. The incumbent will partner closely with clinical and research leadership to shape and fund priorities across the neuroscience’s enterprise.
Responsibilities (for both roles)
Serve as the lead fundraiser for specific areas of UVA Health managing a portfolio of donors and prospects. Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward these individuals in support of the mission and priorities of program leadership.
Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for assigned Departments, Divisions, and priorities in the areas of patient care, research, education and community support missions from multiple prospect populations including patient families, community members, UVA friends and alumni, and beyond.
Evaluate HIPAA-compliant patient data for physicians in assigned programs and identify potential major gift prospects for further research and cultivation. Ensure discipline around patient philanthropy processes.
Create and implement a transparent and intentional donor strategy to move prospective donors along the development continuum. Cultivate new and existing donors to higher levels of support for the departments and programs of oversight, including research and care of patients.
Collaborate with UVA Health Development Office (UVAHD) colleagues to assure alignment and synergy in fundraising efforts. Work in tandem and in a donor-centric manner to advance UVA Health broadly.
Establish a consistent presence within assigned departments and programs, to build faculty and staff partnerships and promote a culture of philanthropy.
Provide effective and ongoing training for faculty and staff about philanthropic principles and tactics. Coach faculty so that they are well prepared to positively impact development activities and prospect/donor relationships.
Develop and maintain an informed layperson's understanding of the science behind research and care in assigned programs. Act as a translator and synthesizer of ideas when needed to enhance communication between faculty and prospects/donors.
Build and strengthen relationships with UVA Health leadership and key stakeholders, including, but not limited to: Department Chairs and Division Chiefs and UVA Cancer Center leadership OR Neurosciences leadership
Other duties as assigned.
The ideal candidate possesses excellent interpersonal skills, emphasizing collaboration, teamwork, and a solution-oriented mindset, with exceptional oral and written communication abilities to convey information clearly across varying audiences. They demonstrate a strong customer service orientation, ensuring client satisfaction, and have a solid understanding of fundraising. With exceptional organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and efficiency, they engage professionally with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders, maintaining confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information. Their strong critical thinking skills enable effective problem-solving, and they adeptly prioritize tasks while adapting to shifting responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate Director of Development
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 3 years of fundraising, with a consistent record of securing gifts of $50,000+.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and manage a portfolio of prospects.
Experience managing relationships, the ability to use a database to maintain and review records and reports such as donor data, prospect contacts, solicitations and proposals
Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to hold oneself accountable to goals and metrics.
Ability to travel frequently, as well as conduct occasional evening and weekend work.
Proven ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with high emotional intelligence and professionalism.
Strong communication skills and ability to articulate mission and priorities.
Ability to travel frequently, as well as conduct occasional evening and weekend work.
Valid driver’s license.
Senior Associate Director of Development
Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of fundraising experience, with a consistent record of securing gifts of $100,000+.
Experience working within a major fundraising or capital campaign.
Demonstrated ability to manage high‑level relationships and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
Proven experience of managing and developing fundraising strategies for specific programs.
Strong communication skills and ability to articulate mission and priorities.
Proven ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with high emotional intelligence and professionalism.
Ability to use a database to maintain and review records and reports such as donor data, prospect contacts, solicitations, and proposals.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to hold oneself accountable to goals and metrics.
Ability to travel frequently, as well as conduct occasional evening and weekend work.
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree
More than five years of frontline fundraising experience as a senior gift officer in academic medicine
Prior experience staffing senior leaders and volunteers in a complex, matrixed organization
Track record of demonstrating a high degree of initiative, flexibility and will have the skills to shape and be shaped by an evolving fundraising initiative
Experience in developing strategic fundraising plans with ambitious targets and delivering results
Preference will be given to applicants with previous management experience in a leadership role in academic medicine fundraising.
Proficiency using CRM databases.
Success within collaborative fundraising models.
Robust understanding of the principles of philanthropy, higher education, alumni relations, and relationship management.
Proven experience building relationships with academic medical faculty and comparable organizational leaders.
These roles will be filled at either the Associate or Senior Associate, depending on the successful candidate's experience, knowledge, and competencies.
Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
Salary Range
The anticipated hiring range for each position is:
Associate DoD: $80K - $90K / year, commensurate with education and experience.
Senior Associate DoD: $90K - $105K / year, commensurate with education and experience.
Position Type & Work Location
These are exempt-level, benefited positions. Learn more about UVA benefits.
These are restricted positions, which are dependent on funding and are contingent upon funding availability.
UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members 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. This position will be required to work intermittently in our office building located in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Although this position is eligible to work hybrid, the incumbent should live within a reasonable driving distance of Charlottesville to facilitate frequent visits to UVA Grounds.
About UVA and the Community
To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.
Application Timeline
Application review will begin after May 20, 2026.
Additional Requirements
Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
How to Apply
Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0083194.
Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
Complete an application with the following documents:
Resume
Cover Letter
Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Reference Check Process
Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
Contact
For additional information about the position, please contact Sandi Hall, Senior Associate Director for Staff Success at [email protected].
For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, HR Recruitment Specialist at [email protected].
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.