Director of Development - Vitalant Research Institute

Vitalant•Scottsdale, AZ

5d•$110,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Vitalant, our mission is to save and improve lives through blood donation, research, and innovation. We are seeking a Director of Development to champion philanthropic support for the Vitalant Research Institute (VRI) and its groundbreaking research aimed at advancing transfusion medicine, improving patient outcomes, and developing innovative approaches to healthcare. As a frontline fundraising leader, this role will build meaningful relationships with donors and philanthropic partners, translating VRI’s scientific discoveries and research priorities into compelling opportunities for investment and impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required in communications, marketing, sales, business, or related field.
5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, required.
Demonstrated success with proven results in securing gifts of over $10,000.
Experience in a healthcare, medical, research or academic institution.
Experience successfully qualifying donors via phone outreach and in-person meetings.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to synthesize scientific concepts for donor audiences.
Proficiency in donor databases (preferably Virtuous) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Strategic thinker with strong relationship-building and negotiation abilities.
Comfortable engaging with scientists, high-net-worth individuals, and philanthropic leaders.
High degree of initiative, professionalism, and discretion.
Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree, preferred.
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), preferred.
Demonstrated success with proven results in securing gifts of over $25,000, preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a key ambassador for VRI, inspiring philanthropic support for research that advances transfusion medicine, patient care, and healthcare innovation.
Identify, research, and qualify major gift prospects through strategic outreach, discovery meetings, and personalized engagement.
Build and maintain a robust pipeline of high-net-worth individuals, philanthropic advisors, foundation representatives, and other funding partners aligned with VRI’s research priorities.
Manage a portfolio of 100–125 major gift prospects and donors with potential annual gifts of $10,000–$25,000+.
Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that connect donor interests with VRI research priorities and opportunities.
Partner with VRI scientists, researchers, clinical leaders, Foundation leadership, executives, and board members to identify compelling funding opportunities and lead major gift solicitations.
Translate complex scientific research, discoveries, and innovation into compelling, donor-focused narratives and funding proposals.
Cultivate donor engagement through research presentations, laboratory tours, site visits, recognition events, and other experiences that demonstrate the real-world impact of VRI’s work.
Develop customized proposals, stewardship plans, reports, and impact updates that demonstrate how philanthropic investments are advancing research and improving lives.
Maintain accurate donor records and moves management activity in the donor database, tracking relationships, engagement, solicitations, and progress toward fundraising goals.
Monitor portfolio activity and fundraising performance and provide regular reporting on progress toward annual revenue and donor engagement goals.