SENIOR DIRECTOR, MAJOR & PRINCIPAL GIFTS

The Scripps Research Institute; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer contributed retirement plan

Health and welfare plans

Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/DE

Vacation and sick leave

Job summary

The Scripps Research Institute is seeking a Sr Director of Major & Principal Gifts to lead a portfolio of high-capacity donors and advance transformational philanthropy. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $1 million+, partnering with senior leadership to align with institutional priorities.

Responsibilities include developing long-term engagement strategies, coordinating with prospect research and gift planning teams, and meeting growth targets.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in major gift fundraising, preferably in research/healthcare/academic settings.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and close principal gifts (7-figure+).
• Experience with donor databases and CRM systems; travel for donor meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of ~50-75 major/principal gift prospects & donors with $5M+ capacity.
• Develop and execute personalized, long-term engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Advance prospects through discovery, qualification, solicitation and stewardship stages.

Skills

Relationship management

Donor cultivation

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job 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 TITL E:

Senior Director, Major & Principal Gifts

POSITION SUMMARY:

Scripps Research, one of the world's leading biomedical research institutes, is seeking a highly strategic and relationship-driven Sr Director of Major & Principal Gifts to join our Philanthropy team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development this position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make gifts of $1 million and above.

The Sr Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 high-capacity prospects and donors and will play a critical role in advancing transformational philanthropy in support of institutional priorities and special initiatives. In addition to portfolio management, the Sr Director will partner with senior leadership and colleagues on special funding opportunities that may engage prospects outside of their assigned portfolio.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 major and principal gift prospects and donors with a giving capacity of $5M+, securing philanthropic gifts that advance Scripps Research's strategic initiatives, research priorities, and institutional objectives.
• Develop and execute highly personalized, long-term engagement and solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities, in collaboration with institutional leadership, including multi-year commitments, naming opportunities, and blended or structured gifts.
• Advance prospects through all stages of the fundraising cycle, from discovery and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Facilitate high-level meetings, site visits, and donor experiences.
• Support leadership engagement efforts by preparing briefing materials, talking points, and strategic guidance for donor meetings.
• Work closely with Advancement colleagues (prospect research, stewardship, gift planning, etc.) to advance the assigned portfolio and department objectives.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of prospect strategies, interactions, and outcomes in the institution's database.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals and performance metrics related to principal gift activity, prospect movement, and donor engagement.
• Maintain a proactive and strategic approach to pipeline development and portfolio management.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in a complex research, healthcare, or academic environment.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing principal gifts (7-figure+)
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence high net-worth individuals.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior institutional leadership, faculty, and donors in a collaborative and strategic manner.
• Strong strategic thinking and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex, long-term donor relationships.
• Experience using donor databases and CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge).
• Willingness and ability to travel for donor meetings and events.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000/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

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.