Manager, Purple Community

Van Andel Institute

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators. Build a Movement. Grow a Community. Advance Discovery. Van Andel Institute is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Manager of Purple Community, a high-impact role at the intersection of community engagement, fundraising, and cause marketing. This is more than a management role. It’s an opportunity to mobilize communities, inspire philanthropy, and accelerate biomedical discovery and science education through one of VAI’s most visible and community-powered initiatives. Purple Community is the public face of grassroots engagement at VAI. As Manager, you will: Turn passion into action through community-led fundraising Build partnerships that expand VAI’s reach nationally Lead experiences that connect people to purpose Your leadership will directly fuel research breakthroughs and education programs that change lives.

Requirements

Demonstrated success in community engagement, fundraising, and cause marketing.
Ability to mobilize communities and inspire philanthropy.
Experience in building partnerships.
Skills in leading experiences that connect people to purpose.
Experience in driving strategy and execution for outreach, fundraising, and cause marketing initiatives.
Experience in expanding partnerships across community organizations and corporate collaborators.
Ability to shape a consistent and compelling presence.
Experience in supervising and coaching team members.
Experience in hiring, performance management, and team development.
Ability to foster a high-performing, mission-driven team culture.
Experience in overseeing cultivation, solicitation, and tracking of fundraising efforts.
Ability to develop strategies to grow donor engagement and long-term relationships.
Experience in ensuring accurate reporting, data tracking, and donor stewardship.
Experience in leading planning and execution of events.
Ability to oversee logistics, budgets, vendors, and on-site delivery.
Ability to collaborate across teams.
Experience in maintaining and enhancing web portals and materials.
Experience in partnering on system improvements.
Ability to amplify visibility through media, partnerships, and community presence.

Responsibilities

Drive strategy and execution for Purple Community outreach, fundraising, and cause marketing initiatives
Expand partnerships across community organizations and corporate collaborators in health and life sciences
Shape a consistent and compelling regional and state-wide presence for Purple Community
Supervise and coach Purple Community Coordinators
Lead hiring, performance management, and team development
Foster a high-performing, mission-driven team culture
Oversee cultivation, solicitation, and tracking of community fundraising efforts
Develop strategies to grow donor engagement and long-term relationships
Ensure accurate reporting, data tracking, and donor stewardship
Lead planning and execution of community-driven and partner events
Oversee logistics, budgets, vendors, and on-site delivery
Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment with brand and mission
Maintain and enhance the Purple Community web portal and materials
Partner on improvements to prospect management systems
Amplify visibility through media, partnerships, and community presence