Development Specialist

About Us:

The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization driving the next generation of cancer treatment by accelerating the development of breakthrough immune therapies to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Founded in 2016 through the vision of Sean Parker, PICI unites the nation’s top cancer centers into a collaborative consortium that fuels high-risk, high-reward science with shared goals, data, and infrastructure. Unlike traditional research models, PICI goes beyond discovery by actively advancing promising innovations through clinical testing, company formation and incubation, and commercialization. PICI has supported more than 1,000 investigators across its network and has a portfolio that includes 17 biotech ventures with over $4B raised in capital. PICI is uniquely positioned to close the gap between scientific discovery and patient access. By integrating scientific excellence with entrepreneurial execution, PICI is reimagining how cures are made, and accelerating their path to the people who need them most.

Find out more at parkerici.org and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Overview of the role:

The Development Specialist serves as the operational engine of PICI’s Organizational Advancement team, providing the precise executive support, data management, and logistical follow-through necessary to drive PICI’s ambitious revenue generation goals. This role is essential to the operational cadence of a department preparing for and executing a multi-year, comprehensive fundraising campaign. A key part of this role ensures that the Chief Organizational Advancement Officer’s (COAO) calendar, communications, and follow-up are managed with precision and discretion; that constituent data across PICI’s philanthropic and venture ecosystem is meticulously maintained; and that the operational details underpinning every convening, donor engagement, and campaign milestone are executed with rigor. Success in this role directly enables the COAO and the broader Advancement team to focus on high-value relationship management and the cultivation of transformative funding.

The role additionally serves as the team’s primary day-to-day administrator of PICI’s donor and constituent database (Salesforce). Prior Salesforce expertise is welcomed but not required. Foundational to success in the role are demonstrated proficiency with database, CRM, or structured spreadsheet platforms and the rigor required to develop into a confident administrator of a major system. PICI will provide training and dedicated support to enable the selected candidate to develop into a power user of Salesforce.

Reporting Structure: This position reports to the Chief Organizational Advancement Officer (COAO)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Responsibilities:

Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) & Venture Data Management

• Serve as the day-to-day administrator of PICI’s donor database (Salesforce), responsible for system maintenance, data hygiene, and the integrity of all constituent records (training provided for the right candidate).

• Maintain sophisticated tracking of PICI’s expanded network of “non-traditional” constituents, ensuring comprehensive data capture for venture investors, portfolio company founders, industry partners, and strategic corporate alliances.

• Execute data imports and exports, segmentation queries, and custom reports to support all Advancement team activities, ensuring a single, accurate source of truth for all constituent interactions.

Campaign Operations and Financial Tracking

• Provide comprehensive logistical support for the planning, silent phase, and public launch of the PICI fundraising campaign.

• Maintain real-time tracking of the campaign pipeline, accurately reflecting prospect moves management stages and commitment amounts.

• Generate and analyze critical campaign metrics, including campaign pyramid reporting, gift forecasting, commitment pacing, and pledge fulfillment tracking, to inform leadership decision-making.

• Coordinate with the Finance department to ensure seamless reconciliation of committed and received funds.

Major Gift Strategy and Moves Management Support

• Provide high-level administrative and operational support to the COAO and the broader Advancement team in advance of, during, and following major prospect engagements.

• Coordinate complex meeting schedules, travel arrangements, and pre- and post-meeting logistics for principal prospects.

• Compile detailed briefing books and background materials for major prospect meetings, synthesizing biographical, philanthropic, and venture-related data into actionable intelligence.

• Maintain the formal moves management process within the CRM, ensuring timely and accurate documentation of all prospect interactions and next steps.

Stewardship and Impact Reporting

• Produce timely, accurate, and highly personalized stewardship reports and gift acknowledgments under the direction of the COAO and senior team.

• Coordinate inputs across Science, Venture, and Communications to assemble tailored impact reports for major donors and partners that effectively synthesize and highlight both PICI’s core scientific breakthroughs and the measurable commercial and venture success metrics of its portfolio companies and research initiatives.

• Maintain a system for tracking and reporting on the impact of specific gifts and restricted funds.

Prospect Research and Intelligence

• Execute targeted and proactive prospect research using specialized tools such as WealthEngine, PitchBook, and other industry intelligence platforms, with training and support as needed.

• Support the identification of new prospective partners, including family offices, high-net-worth individuals, strategic corporate partners, and impact investors aligned with PICI’s mission.

• Develop and maintain detailed prospect profiles and capacity ratings to support prospect identification and assignment meetings.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in non-profit development operations, development services, or a related data management role, preferably within a complex organization like an academic institution, research center, or life sciences focused non-profit.

• Demonstrated proficiency with database, CRM, or structured spreadsheet systems, accompanied by the intellectual curiosity and rigor required to develop into a confident administrator of a major CRM platform. Prior Salesforce experience is welcomed but not required; PICI will provide training and support to the selected candidate. Experience with comparable CRM platforms (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, HubSpot) is also valued.

• Exceptional attention to detail and proven organizational skills, with a commitment to maintaining rigorous data integrity and operational accuracy in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, compelling, and professional correspondence, reports, and internal memos.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel expertise required for data analysis and reporting).

• Sound discretion and judgment in handling sensitive donor, financial, and personnel information.

• Experience or familiarity with venture capital terminology, industry tracking tools (e.g., PitchBook, Crunchbase), or the life sciences/biotech ecosystem is a significant advantage.

• A collaborative spirit and proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including executive leadership, finance, and scientific staff.

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required to successfully support the team’s event and prospect portfolio.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $115k - $135k per year based on experience and qualifications

• Health, dental, vision insurance

• 403(b) with company match

Additional Information:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available

• Local candidates highly preferred (No remote candidates)

• Hybrid work environment, with on-site presence required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

• No relocation assistance will be provided