SENIOR DIRECTOR, DONOR RELATIONS & VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- San Diego, California, United States
- Work setup
- Onsite
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Operations
- Posted
Must have
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, stewardship, or advancement, including at least 5 years leading the function in higher education or a research environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing managers and developing high-performing professional teams.
- Expert knowledge of gift agreement structures, endowment and restricted fund administration, donor intent compliance, and named and endowed recognition programs.
- Demonstrated success leading stewardship initiatives that strengthen donor and constituent engagement.
- Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex science and philanthropy into compelling narratives.
- Demonstrated ability to advise and influence executive leadership, faculty, Trustees, and principal donors with discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
- Highly proficient with CRM (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and advancement systems and reporting tools, with demonstrated ability to use donor data to drive stewardship strategy.
- Commitment to advancing the mission and values of Scripps Research through strategic philanthropy and constituent engagement.
- While subject to change based on business needs, this is an on-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week working onsite from our La Jolla campus, with flexibility to work 1 day per week r
Full description
ABOUT US:
Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.
POSITION TITLE: Senior Director, Donor Relations & Volunteer Engagement
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Director of Donor Relations & Volunteer Engagement provides strategic leadership and vision for Scripps Research's donor stewardship and volunteer engagement strategy. This role unites donor relations, stewardship, and volunteer engagement within the Office of Development under a cohesive framework that strengthens relationships with donors, prospects, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development Services & Administration, the Senior Director leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for stewardship programming, impact reporting, donor recognition, and volunteer engagement, and prospect strategy that advance philanthropy across the institute. The Senior Director directly supervises the Manager, Stewardship & Reporting and the Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement, and partners closely with gift officers to ensure donor, prospect, and volunteer efforts are aligned, timely, and impactful.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive donor relations and volunteer engagement strategy that strengthens constituent relationships and supports fundraising goals.
- Partner with senior leadership to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring operational excellence and measurable outcomes across all stewardship and volunteer engagement efforts.
- Serve on the Office of Development Office Manager’s Team to align priorities, develop culture, and lead with consistency and transparency.