Director, Major Gifts

Scripps Research • San Diego, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Scripps Research is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial, and relationship-driven fundraising leader for its Philanthropy team. The Director of Major Gifts manages a portfolio of approximately 50–75 high-priority prospects and donors with the capacity to give $1 million or more. The role develops transformational gift strategies and identifies, cultivates, solicits, closes, and stewards seven-figure and larger gifts supporting institutional priorities and special initiatives.

Working in partnership with senior leadership, faculty scientists, Trustees, volunteers, and Development colleagues, the Director develops compelling funding opportunities that align donor interests with Scripps Research’s priorities. The Director also collaborates on special funding opportunities involving prospects outside the assigned portfolio. The position reports to the Executive Director of Development and is based on the La Jolla campus, with a minimum of four onsite workdays per week and the flexibility to work remotely one day per week. Travel for donor meetings and events is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 8 years of experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in a complex research, healthcare, or academic environment.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $1 million or more.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to engage and influence high-net-worth individuals.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with senior institutional leadership, faculty, and donors.
• Strong strategic thinking and project management skills, including the ability to manage complex, long-term donor relationships.
• Experience using donor databases and CRM systems, such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Willingness and ability to travel for donor meetings and events.
• Ability to work onsite at the La Jolla campus at least four days per week, with flexibility to work remotely one day per week.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in a complex research, healthcare, or academic fundraising environment.

Responsibilities

• Personally cultivate, solicit, and close gifts of $1 million or more, including complex, multi-year commitments.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 major and principal gift prospects and donors with giving capacity of $1 million or more.
• Secure philanthropic gifts that advance Scripps Research’s strategic initiatives, research priorities, and institutional objectives.
• Develop and execute personalized, long-term engagement and solicitation strategies, including multi-year commitments, naming opportunities, and blended or structured gifts, in collaboration with institutional leadership and aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities.
• Advance prospects through all stages of the fundraising cycle, from discovery and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Identify and qualify new prospects through proactive outreach, research, referrals, and participation in institutional events.
• Prepare proposals and coordinate with Gift Planning, Legal, and Finance on gift agreements, pledge documentation, and gift acceptance.
• Facilitate high-level meetings, site visits, and donor experiences.
• Support leadership engagement by preparing briefing materials, talking points, and strategic guidance for donor meetings.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, including prospect research, stewardship, and gift planning, to advance the portfolio and department objectives.
• Document prospect strategies, interactions, and outcomes accurately and promptly 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, strategic approach to pipeline development and portfolio management.
• Participate with colleagues in pursuing special funding opportunities that may involve prospects outside the assigned portfolio.

Benefits

• Employer-contributed retirement plan, subject to eligibility, with no employee contribution required.
• Option to contribute to a 403(b) plan.
• Three medical plan options, including an HSA-available option.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability coverage.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
• Free on-site parking.

What This Job Offers

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