Program Manager, Direct Response Philanthropy

The Program Manager, Direct Response Philanthropy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center plays a critical role within the Marketing Department, and is responsible for guiding the strategic development and execution of fundraising campaigns that strengthen and promote the UT MD Anderson brand while driving donor acquisition, engagement and retention. This role oversees the full lifecycle of campaigns-including strategy, planning, creative development and implementation-across digital, direct mail, events and planned giving channels, serving as the project manager for all direct response initiatives. This role will provide strategic recommendations to optimize campaign effectiveness, ensure investment stewardship and alignment with broader Institutional Affairs initiatives. This position oversees high-profile projects requiring cross-functional coordination to ensure integration and consistency across channels and audiences. Closely collaborating with Marketing, External Affairs, Strategic Communications, Philanthropy and other key internal stakeholders, the Program Manager will deliver strategic fundraising campaign and marketing support for priority philanthropic initiatives and manage high-quality programs that build awareness of and drive donations to UT MD Anderson. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable building and managing relationships with vendors, agencies, and clients, know how to track and use marketing KPIs to guide decisions, and bring a solid understanding of philanthropy and mass communications. They'll have hands-on experience supporting marketing-led fundraising campaigns and using fundraising analytics platforms to measure results and improve performance. Additional consideration will be given to candidates who currently reside in, or have plans to relocate to, the State of Texas. Position Information Salary: Minimum: $77,500 - Midpoint $97,000 - Maximum $116,500 Work Location: Remote. May require additional onsite attendance as needed for various events and to support business operations.

• Paid employee medical benefits (zero premium) starting on first day for employees who work 30 or more hours per week
• Group Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D and Disability coverage
• Paid time off (PTO) and Extended Illness Bank (EIB) paid leave accruals
• Paid institutional holidays, wellness leave, childcare leave, and other paid leave programs
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service
• Teachers Retirement System defined-benefit pension plan and two voluntary retirement plans
• Employer paid life, AD&D and an illness-related reduced salary pay program
• Extensive wellness, recognition, fitness, employee health programs and employee resource groups

Responsibilities

Comprehensive Direct Marketing Campaigns and Programs

• In partnership with Direct Response leadership, develops and manages the direct response program roadmap, including campaign calendars, channel strategy and performance goals.
• Serves as the Direct Response team lead in content development and selection for campaigns, closely collaborating with key institutional stakeholders to incorporate best practices and institutional priorities to develop a varied content strategy.
• Leads project meetings, ensuring integration and information sharing between Direct Response, the rest of Marketing and other internal and external teams.
• Ensures content and creative design align with UT MD Anderson's brand standards, approved style guide and messaging strategies.
• Monitors and reports on program KPIs such as response rates, acquisition cost, retention and other key analytics.
• Closely collaborates with Brand Health to identify trends, insights and opportunities for optimization.
• Works with Direct Response leadership, the Brand Health team and agencies to test and refine creative, offers and channel mix to maximize results.
• Drives cross-functional collaboration by aligning across Institutional Affairs, Philanthropy and other internal teams, ensuring integration of insights into strategy and execution.

Project Management & Planning

• Establishes and manages overarching calendar and timelines for all direct response program deliverables.
• Manages the routing processes for all direct marketing, Annual Fund, planned giving, event marketing and email campaigns, ensuring clear and streamlined communication of campaign goals, objectives and timelines.
• Ensures flawless execution of campaigns, coordinating with internal teams and vendors to meet deadlines and deliverables.
• Manages relationships with external agencies and production vendors.
• Supports the preparation of executive-level updates, dashboards and presentations on program performance and recommendations.
• Implements and upholds UT MD Anderson's brand standards and messaging guidelines.
• Works to ensure an efficient process and compliance with other internal guidelines to protect and promote the UT MD Anderson brand to the highest standards.
• Develops schedules and agendas, and coordinates agency meetings.
• Remains organized, pays strict attention to detail and meets budget and deadlines.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Supports Direct Response leadership in the management of vendors/agency partners, ensuring accountability for contracts, budgets, timelines and quality of deliverables.
• Tracks expenses against approved budget, ensuring direct response agencies stay within scope and budget and invoice accurately and in a timely fashion.
• Supports Direct Response and Marketing leadership in budget forecasting throughout the fiscal year.
• Works with Institutional Affairs Finance to request purchase orders and track expenses against the purchase orders.
• Coordinates and participates in RFP selection process for Marketing-owned contracts, as well as participates when required in other Institutional Affairs-led RFPs.

Team & Leadership Development

• Participates in the selection of new team members.
• Mentors employees and colleagues, actively sharing business, marketing, fundraising and professional skills.
• Attends regular departmental, team and divisional events and meetings, some of which require onsite and in-person attendance and participates in internal and external professional development activities.
• Has the ability to manage a Program Marketing Coordinator.

Service Orientation

• Provides service to our internal stakeholders, agencies and vendors in a reliable, responsive, safe, friendly and courteous manner.
• Promotes collegiality to internal and external colleagues and teams by demonstrating respect and professionalism to others at all times.
• Meets time and attendance expectations and responds to requests in a timely manner, communicating expectations for procedures, timing, and project deliverables to coworkers.
• Manages selected administrative functions of Direct Response team, including maintaining calendars, scheduling meetings and capturing key notes/takeaways for assigned projects and assisting with meeting preparations.
• Remains flexible and performs other duties as assigned, based on a workflow that is ever-changing and responding to the needs of team members.

Other duties as assigned. EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree Communications, fundraising, marketing or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• Required: Five years project management experience in marketing, communications and advertising.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition. This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job