Head of Donor Stewardship & Volunteer Engagement

Scripps Research; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA seeks a Senior Director of Donor Relations & Volunteer Engagement to lead donor stewardship, recognition, and volunteer programs within the Office of Development. You will supervise a Manager, Stewardship & Reporting and an Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement, guiding strategy, reporting, and messaging to alumni, faculty, staff, and donors.

The role emphasizes collaboration with gift officers, strategic philanthropy, and a culture of philanthropy,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in donor relations, stewardship, or advancement.
• 5+ years leading the function in higher education or a research environment.
• 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.
• On-campus position requiring a minimum of 4 days per week onsite from La Jolla campus, with 1 remote day per week.

Responsibilities

• 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 and lead with consistency and transparency.
• Directly supervise the Manager, Stewardship & Reporting and the Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement, coordinating with gift officers for aligned efforts.
• Oversee donor relations and stewardship to ensure timely, personalized recognition of donors at all levels.
• Design, produce, and project manage impact and endowment reports, donor appreciation, and recognition events.
• Maintain an annual stewardship report and highlight tangible outcomes of giving to key constituencies.
• Guide planning and execution of signature cultivation and stewardship events.

Skills

Donor relations

Stewardship

Leadership

Storytelling

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Scripps Research in La Jolla, CA seeks a Senior Director of Donor Relations & Volunteer Engagement to lead donor stewardship, recognition, and volunteer programs within the Office of Development. You will supervise a Manager, Stewardship & Reporting and an Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement, guiding strategy, reporting, and messaging to alumni, faculty, staff, and donors.

The role emphasizes collaboration with gift officers, strategic philanthropy, and a culture of philanthropy,