Director, Philanthropy & Development
About The Position
We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life. The Opportunity Philanthropy is more than funding—it’s partnership, alignment, and shared purpose. We’re seeking a Director of Philanthropy who understands this deeply - someone who can lead with empathy and strategy, who sees donors as co-creators in impact, and who knows how to connect visionary funders with visionary work. This is a pivotal role in the next chapter of our organization. You’ll be our lead fundraiser and relationship-builder, responsible for building a robust philanthropic engine that reflects the scale of our ambitions. From high-net-worth individuals to institutional funders, you’ll develop and steward relationships that bring in significant, sustained support for our mission. You’ll work closely with the CEO, Board, and senior leadership to shape our fundraising strategy, tell our story in ways that resonate, and ensure every donor experience reflects the integrity and ambition of our work.
Requirements
- Experience: 8+ years in philanthropy, scientific and health fundraising, or development leadership, ideally within a nonprofit, foundation, academic, or research institution.
- Track Record: Proven success in cultivating, securing, and stewarding major gifts and institutional partnerships.
- Leadership: Ability to build systems, teams, and cultures that empower people to excel.
- Vision: A strategic mindset with the creativity to design new funding models and partnerships.
- Storytelling: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire diverse stakeholders.
- Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to science, public benefit, and equity in access to knowledge.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead a best-in-class philanthropy and development function from the ground up.
- Implement a multi-year development strategy aligned with our scientific mission and initiatives.
- Partner with department leaders to develop cases for support as well as create briefings and other supporting materials
- Inspire and steward major donors, foundations, corporate partners, and grant-making organizations.
- Proven track record of securing $1M+ gifts and institutional funding through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship.
- Identify and pursue new revenue streams, including innovative funding models.
- Build long-term strategic partnerships with philanthropic institutions, health-focused organizations, and research funders.
- Develop annual revenue targets, pipelines, and dashboards to track progress against multi-year goals.
- Work cross-functionally to facilitate various fundraising opportunities and initiatives.
- Partner with communications to amplify our message through campaigns, events, and strategic initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
