Development Director - Vitalant Research Institute and CA

Vitalant • Scottsdale, AZ

11d • $83,500 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Vitalant is seeking a Development Director to advance its mission to save and improve lives through blood donation, research, and innovation by securing philanthropic support for Vitalant Research Institute (VRI) and California development efforts. As a frontline fundraising professional and Foundation ambassador, the Development Director builds and strengthens donor and prospect relationships, develops tailored fundraising strategies, and secures annual and major gifts to support research, scientific innovation, and organizational priorities. The position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, works toward fundraising goals, and cultivates lasting partnerships that expand philanthropic support and advance Vitalant’s impact.

This hybrid position is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It requires onsite work three days per week and work from an at-home office two days per week. Local and regional travel, with occasional national and overnight travel, is required for donor engagement. Occasional evening and weekend work is expected. Compensation is $83,500–$110,000.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, sales, business, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of progressive nonprofit fundraising, business development, relationship management, or related fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success in achieving fundraising, revenue generation, or donor engagement goals.
• Experience managing donor or constituent portfolios and moving prospects through a defined relationship-development process.
• Experience qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors through phone, virtual, and in-person engagement.
• Experience building relationships with donors, foundation representatives, board members, community stakeholders, and organizational leaders.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and responsibilities and maintain confidentiality.
• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize scientific concepts for donor audiences.
• Proficiency in donor databases and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic donor engagement and fundraising plans.
• Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships with donors, volunteers, executives, board members, clinicians, researchers, and community leaders.
• Ability to analyze donor information, giving history, and engagement trends to identify philanthropic growth opportunities.
• High degree of initiative, professionalism, and discretion.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally, with occasional national and overnight travel for donor engagement.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.
• Experience within a nonprofit, healthcare, research, academic, or similarly mission-driven organization.
• Experience with Virtuous donor database.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective donors through targeted outreach, discovery visits, and personalized engagement.
• Manage a strategic portfolio of donors and prospects, developing and executing tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Build productive relationships with donors, philanthropic advisors, foundation representatives, community stakeholders, and internal partners.
• Develop proposals and fundable narratives that connect donor interests with Foundation priorities, partnering with executive leadership, providers, scientists, and other subject matter experts.
• Lead gift solicitations independently and collaboratively with Foundation leadership, development staff, clinical and scientific leaders, and board members.
• Coordinate donor tours, site visits, recognition events, and personalized experiences that showcase Vitalant’s mission, patient impact, and innovation.
• Create customized stewardship plans, donor communications, impact reports, and recognition materials.
• Maintain accurate donor database records, document interactions and next steps, track portfolio progress, and report regularly on fundraising performance and goals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level