Hybrid Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement

Scripps Research; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer Contributed Retirement Plan

Health and Welfare plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Scripps Research Institute, a renowned nonprofit biomedical research center in La Jolla, invites a strategic Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director to lead engagement with the Global Ambassadors Council, Alumni Board, and donors. This role combines relationship management, event leadership, and cross-functional project work on the Development team.

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, you will coordinate calendars, plan signature events, prepare senior leadership briefings, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 3+ years of development, donor relations, or 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; able to manage multiple priorities and a dynamic calendar.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; experience preparing agendas, briefings, and materials for executives 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.

Responsibilities

• Volunteer & Board Liaison: serve as primary staff liaison for GAC, Alumni Board, and Advancement Committee; manage volunteers and partners.
• Event Leadership & Donor Engagement: plan and execute signature cultivation events, donor appreciation events, and salon dinners; manage invites and logistics; engage donors to advance conversations.
• Project Management & Office Coordination: maintain master engagement calendar; coordinate cross-department efforts; support leadership with special projects and reports.

Skills

Relationship management

Event leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Asana

Job description

Scripps Research Institute, a renowned nonprofit biomedical research center in La Jolla, invites a strategic Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director to lead engagement with the Global Ambassadors Council, Alumni Board, and donors. This role combines relationship management, event leadership, and cross-functional project work on the Development team.

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, you will coordinate calendars, plan signature events, prepare senior leadership briefings, and