ABOUT BCRF

Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. By investing in the best minds in science to examine every aspect of the disease from prevention to metastasis—and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration—BCRF is accelerating the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need to be the end of breast cancer.

About the Role

The Director, Development & Stewardship is a senior leadership role within BCRF's Development & Events department, responsible for building and leading a comprehensive, donor-centric stewardship program that deepens engagement, inspires continued and increased philanthropy, and supports BCRF's first comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Reporting to the Managing Director, Development & Signature Events, the Director, Development & Stewardship will design and implement a strategic stewardship framework spanning all donor segments — from annual fund contributors through principal gift and legacy society donors — ensuring every supporter of BCRF's mission feels recognized, informed, and connected to the impact of their philanthropy. This role partners closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, Major Gift Officers, the Gift Planning team, Marketing & Communications, and Research to deliver best-in-class stewardship experiences that reflect BCRF's high-touch philanthropic culture.

This role currently supervises the Associate Director, Development & Stewardship and works in close collaboration with the Associate Director, Development & Donor Relations (who leads Advisory Board engagement and CPO stewardship initiatives). As the comprehensive campaign progresses, this position is expected to grow in scope and team.

This position is based in New York, New York. BCRF currently requires staff to work onsite a minimum of three days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

Stewardship Strategy & Program Leadership

• Design and implement a comprehensive, multi-tiered stewardship program aligned with BCRF's fundraising strategy, donor segmentation, and comprehensive campaign goals.
• Establish donor recognition and acknowledgment standards across all giving levels, from annual fund to principal gifts and the Evelyn H. Lauder Legacy Society.
• Develop and maintain a stewardship calendar that ensures timely, personalized, and meaningful touchpoints throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Oversee a systematic program for gift impact reporting — connecting donors to the research their philanthropy funds through investigator updates, scientific progress reports, and personalized impact communications.
• Establish and track stewardship KPIs, including retention rates, donor satisfaction indicators, and stewardship touchpoint completion, and present regular progress reports to department and organizational leadership.

Principal & Major Gift Donor Stewardship

• Lead stewardship strategy for BCRF's most significant donors, working in close partnership with frontline Philanthropy Officers and Department Leadership to ensure a coordinated, personalized approach to every major donor relationship
• Create and manage Donor Societies at various levels of principle gifts and oversee/standardize Stewardship strategies (recognition benefits, scientific updates, etc.)
• Develop individualized stewardship plans for principal gift donors ($250,000+), including personalized communications, recognition opportunities, and mission-engagement experiences tailored to each donor's philanthropic interests.
• Develop strategy/ benefits menu to entice principal donors ($100,000+) at all levels to increase their support.
• In collaboration with the Associate Director, Development & Donor Relations, support executive stewardship initiatives, including personalized acknowledgments and gratitude communications on behalf of senior leadership.
• Partner with the Gift Planning team to develop stewardship frameworks for legacy society members of the Evelyn H. Lauder Legacy Society, honoring documented bequests and beneficiary designations with appropriate recognition and engagement.

Donor Recognition & Naming Opportunities

• Develop and manage BCRF's donor recognition portfolio, including named endowments, research fund recognitions, event recognitions, and other naming and credit opportunities across BCRF's programs and events.
• Maintain and evolve BCRF's donor wall, digital recognition assets, and print materials in partnership with the Associate Director, Stewardship and Marketing & Communications Team.

Campaign Stewardship

• In partnership with Department Leadership and the Stewardship Team, develop and execute a comprehensive campaign stewardship plan that ensures all campaign donors receive appropriate recognition, impact reporting, and engagement throughout the multi-year campaign lifecycle.
• Design stewardship frameworks specific to campaign gift levels, named funds, and campaign pledge fulfillment milestones.
• Track and report on campaign stewardship activity, identifying gaps in coverage or donor engagement and proactively addressing them.
• Work in collaboration with D&E staff to design and provide specialized stewardship opportunities for Advisory Board members and potential campaign committees.
• Partner with the new Director, Annual Giving to build out donor pipeline and design broader, segmented stewardship opportunities for donor base. 

Stewardship Communications

• Oversee the creation of donor-facing scientific content (led by the Associate Director, Stewardship) that translates BCRF's funded research into compelling, accessible impact narratives, in close collaboration with the Research Team.
• Ensure all stewardship communications are consistent with BCRF's brand voice, reflect BCRF's high-touch philanthropic culture, and are personalized to the individual donor's giving history and interests.
• Manage the gift acknowledgment process for major and principal gift donors, ensuring timely, accurate, and appropriately personalized acknowledgments on behalf of BCRF's leadership.
• Create Donor Newsletter and ensure that Principal Donors receive “breaking” updates.

Systems, Data & Reporting

• Partner with the Data & Donor Analytics team to leverage Raiser's Edge NXT for stewardship tracking, donor segmentation, and stewardship activity reporting.
• Develop and maintain a stewardship tracking system that logs all touchpoints, ensures no donor falls through the cracks, and enables data-driven reporting to leadership on program effectiveness.
• Support the development of donor retention analytics and stewardship outcome reporting, including gift upgrade rates among stewarded donors and retention rates across donor segments.
• Work closely with the database team to gather, receive, and interpret stewardship data to track the impact and efficiency of the stewardship program.
• Provide resources to ensure the effective implementation of the program, consistency across revenue streams and best practices in stewardship and reporting, donor recognition, naming opportunities, etc.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop the Associate Director, Development & Stewardship and hire, supervise and develop an Associate, Development & Stewardship the Assistant, Stewardship, providing guidance on stewardship strategy, project management, and professional growth.
• Serve as a stewardship thought partner and resource to the Development & Events department ensuring stewardship activity is integrated into each officer's moves management strategy.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing & Communications, Research, Development & Events, and Finance to coordinate stewardship activity and ensure a cohesive donor experience across all touchpoints.
• Represent the Development & Events department in organizational planning discussions related to donor engagement, recognition, and campaign communications strategy. Craft agendas and ensure minutes/ actionable next steps are circulated following all inter-departmental Stewardship meetings.