ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEER & DONOR ENGAGEMENT

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:  Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement

POSITION SUMMARY:

Scripps Research, a world-renowned nonprofit biomedical research institute, is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director to join our Philanthropy team. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this position plays a central role in cultivating and sustaining engagement among the institution's most important volunteer constituencies and donor communities.

The Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director will serve as the primary staff liaison for the Global Ambassadors Council (GAC), the Alumni Board, and the Advancement Committee, as well as individual key volunteers and philanthropic partners. This role combines relationship management, event leadership, and project management, working cross-functionally to advance Office of Development priorities, maintaining the team's master engagement calendar, and leading the execution of signature donor and volunteer events throughout the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: 

Volunteer & Board Liaison

• Serve as the primary staff liaison for the GAC, Alumni Board, and Advancement Committee, as well as individual key volunteers and philanthropic partners.
• Develop annual engagement calendars, individual stewardship plans, and multi-year strategies for volunteer boards, key volunteers, and philanthropic partners
• Manage new member onboarding, prepare meeting agendas, background materials, talking points and track action items to ensure timely follow-through.
• Coordinate pre- and post-meeting communications to sustain momentum and volunteer investment between formal gatherings.

 Event Leadership & Donor Engagement

• Lead the planning, and execution of signature cultivation and stewardship events, including chair celebrations, donor appreciation events, fellowship recognitions, Front Row Dinners, faculty engagement opportunities, and salon dinners.
• Serve as the Office of Development's primary liaison to the events team, driving creative vision, project timelines, messaging and invitation strategy, and logistics from inception through follow-up.
• Personally engage and reach out to key donors, prospects, and volunteers to secure attendance at priority events, with the goal of celebrating relationships and advancing philanthropic conversations.
• Prepare briefings and talking points for senior leaders prior to key interactions, and support the Director with special projects, presentations, and reports as needed.
• Review event collaterals to ensure accuracy and message alignment.
• Track and manage ROI for all events using data to refine new event and engagement strategies.

Project Management & Office Coordination

• Serve as a central project management resource for volunteer management and donor engagement activities, collaborating with colleagues to move initiatives forward and ensure timely execution across the Office of Development.
• Develop and maintain the Office of Development's master engagement calendar, proactively identifying and resolving scheduling conflicts and competing priorities.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.    

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree required; 3+ years of experience in development, donor relations, volunteer management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with donors, volunteers, and institutional leadership.
• Proven experience leading event conception, planning, and execution, including invitation strategy and donor outreach.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and a dynamic team calendar.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; experience preparing agendas, briefings, and materials for executive and donor audiences.
• Familiarity with donor databases and CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge) preferred.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and travel as needed for events and donor engagements.
• Experience with project management software (e.g. Asana) preferred.
• 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 remotely from home.

COMPENSATION: 

The expected hiring range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000/annually, commensurate with experience.  Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements. 

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan – Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking 

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms.  The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff. 

EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.