Associate Director, Partner and Development Operations

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE’S MAIN PURPOSE

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Associate Director, Partner and Development Operations will lead the operational needs of the income generation team including data and project management and analytical functions. The Associate Director will shape and deliver the operational capabilities and support functions, including project management and coordination for the growing partnership and income development team for Cancer Grand Challenges (CGC). This role will be a key partner to the Chief Development Officer and will develop and execute end to end operational support across CGC income generation and partnerships including management and support services, prospect and data management and analysis, management of prospect research, partner and donor relations tracking, gift and grant administration and project management underpinning the growing partnership and income function for Cancer Grand Challenges globally. This role will work horizontally across CGC administrative teams, advisory and leadership groups, and relevant CRUK business units to best support the strategic growth of CGC’s partnership and income platform.

This position will require a capable, entrepreneurial professional who seeks to play a key leadership role in building a foundational operating base for a rapidly growing organization committed to tackling the biggest outstanding questions in the field of cancer research by leveraging new income streams to grow CGC’s over $400 million research portfolio.

CANCER GRAND CHALLENGES

Cancer Grand Challenges supports an elite community of international research teams to come together, think differently, and solve some of cancer’s toughest challenges. With a series of $25 million awards, Cancer Grand Challenges teams are empowered to rise above the traditional boundaries of geography and scientific discipline, in order to accelerate scientific progress, and to ultimately change outcomes for people with cancer.

Founded by the two largest funders of cancer research in the world - Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute in the United States - and uniting an international community of partners,Cancer Grand Challenges aims to make the radical progress against cancer that is urgently needed.

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF CANCER RESEARCH

American Friends of Cancer Research (AFCR) is an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit. Its purpose is to support unique, large-scale, global research collaborations in partnership with other scientific funders to catalyze transformational breakthroughs in our understanding of cancer, that could lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers.

The principal focus of AFCR is to support Cancer Grand Challenges - a flagship global initiative developed and led out of Cancer Research UK in partnership with the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). The incumbent professional will be employed by American Friends of Cancer Research to support the Cancer Grand Challenges initiative.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creates, manages, optimizes, and advises on the strategy for organization of income and partnership information and project management platforms (i.e. Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, Asana, CRM, and reporting dashboards).
• Supports execution of CGC income and partnership development strategy working across CRUK as a complex, matrixed organization, with senior stakeholders and advisors, partner organizations and horizontally across CGC research, operations, communications and leadership teams.
• Develop robust project management framework to support execution and success of rapidly progressing income and partnership generation strategy across foundations, corporations, government agencies, philanthropists and private investors.
• Act as project manager on key department initiatives, strategies and active portfolio moves management tracking including stewardship of research funding partners across CGC functional teams (research, research operations, finance and communications).
• Work with appropriate CRUK colleagues and/or contractors to develop robust prospect and partner research providing decision support for active portfolio management
• Develop activity and performance tracking dashboard with relevant metrics and KPI’s producing reports on activities and income for management and board including for strategic planning purposes, annual quarterly performance tracking and as requested by senior leadership.
• Manage briefing development process, driving deadlines and deliverables in partnership with Administrative Assistant and other colleagues to prepare briefings and organize itineraries for high-level visits and meetings
• Oversees the development, migration, maintenance, input and accuracy of organizational data systems, and prepares reports using a variety of databases and programs including, but not limited to, Salesforce (CRM) and Microsoft Excel.
• Implements and monitors systems to assure robust management and tracking of cultivation and stewardship strategies with prospects, donors, and partners
• Contributes to departmental goals by accomplishing related duties as required

KEY TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 10 +years of experience in complex fundraising or business development operational support, especially for science, health and medicine or higher education. Knowledge and understanding of fundraising best practices and non-profit partnerships, preferably global.
• Understanding of fundraising, donor relations, or business development concepts, principles, techniques, procedures and practices.
• Highly organized with a proven ability to set and deliver to a high standard consistently with competing and demanding deadlines.
• Curiosity to learn and develop, motivated by the opportunity to be part of this growing global initiative.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and ability to work with and communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of individuals from internal colleagues, institutional leaders, and external collaborators, stakeholders, donors and institutional partners.
• Proven project management skillset and experience. Prepared to take on a wide variety of tasks. Have a “can do”, service-oriented attitude and a demonstrated ability to problem solve. Ability to anticipate challenges and address them quickly.
• Ability to occasionally travel, including internationally and work irregular hours such as supporting events and meetings across time zones.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple and complex projects;
• Excellent project management and organization skills with strong attention to detail;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to problem solve;
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of databases (Salesforce encouraged), Excel, Power Point and other technology tools and platforms. Strong comfort with technology and ability to learn new skills.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity and to navigate new territory, setting a clear path and establishing new protocols.

TEAM BEHAVIORS

• Excited by the opportunity to contribute to the mission and ambitions of Cancer Grand Challenges;
• Willing to go above and beyond the position description to ensure this new initiative is a success;
• Demonstrate excellent self-awareness and understand personal impact;
• Integrate into, and work well as part of a dynamic and evolving team based across different geographic locations, cultures, and legal frameworks;
• Respond well to and embrace change and ambiguity;
• Provide and receive feedback to enable individual and team development;

Health Care Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage available for:
  • Employee only
  • Employee + spouse
  • Employee + children
  • Family coverage
• Prescription drug coverage with pharmacy and mail-order options
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings options to help reduce out-of-pocket healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Long-term disability (LTD) coverage for extended illness or injury
• Basic life insurance equal to annual salary
• Optional supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage available

Retirement Benefits

• Tax-advantaged retirement savings plan
• AFCR contributes 10% of employee salary to a 401(k) retirement plan

Additional Benefits

• Supportive, mission-driven work environment
• Benefits and workplace flexibility designed to support work-life balance