DIRECTOR, DONOR RELATIONS & ENGAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS

ABOUT US:

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE: Director, Donor Relations & Engagement Communications

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Donor Relations and Engagement Communications provides strategic leadership and vision for Scripps Research's donor and constituent engagement strategy. This role unites donor relations, stewardship, and philanthropy-facing within the Office of Philanthropy under a cohesive framework that strengthens relationships with donors, prospects, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development Services & Administration, the Director leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for storytelling, impact reporting, stewardship programming, and donor communications that advance philanthropy and constituent engagement across the institute. The Director also works closely with Marketing & Communications, including providing dotted-line guidance to the Manager of Donor & Prospect Communications & Engagement, who is fully embedded within the Philanthropy team.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor relations and engagement communications strategy that strengthens constituent relationships and supports fundraising goals.
• Lead strategic planning for the Office of Philanthropy as it relates to donor stewardship and engagement communications.
• Partner with senior leadership, faculty, and Marketing & Communications to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and brand standards.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring operational excellence and measurable outcomes across all engagement and stewardship efforts.

Engagement Communications Oversight:

• Serve as the primary liaison to Marketing & Communications to support coordinated messaging, brand alignment, and shared goals.
• Provide dotted-line strategic guidance to the Manager, Donor & Prospect Communications and Engagement (who reports directly to Marketing & Communication), ensuring their work is aligned with philanthropy priorities and fully integrated into engagement and fundraising strategies.
• Directly supervise the Manager, Donor Stewardship Communications who oversees impact reporting, donor profiles, fund reporting, recognition content, storytelling, mass stewardship, and donor proposals.
• Oversee the development of collateral and digital content that supports fundraising initiatives, prospect cultivation, constituent communications and stewardship, in collaboration with Marketing & Communications.
• Ensure consistent, compelling messaging and design across all donor, prospect, and alumni communications.
• Lead the creation of philanthropic reports, impact videos, and materials that highlight donor impact at Scripps Research.
• Manage both personalized and broad-based donor communications, including targeted communication and stewardship for Annual Giving, the Science Trust, and the Legacy Circle.

Donor Relations & Stewardship:

• Oversee the Donor Relations and Stewardship function to ensure timely, personalized, and meaningful recognition of donors at all levels.
• Design, produce and project manage impact and endowment reports, donor appreciation and recognition events.
• Develop scalable stewardship programs and guidelines serving donors across giving levels, including current use, endowment, and academic priorities.
• Strengthen a culture of philanthropy and transparency through communications that highlight the tangible outcomes of giving with key constituencies, including but not limited to alumni, faculty, and staff.
• Collaborate with gift officers to develop customized stewardship and reporting plans for donors and prospects.
• Support donor-facing events and recognition programs, ensuring alignment with stewardship goals.
• Details of established essential functions for this position will be addressed/discussed during the interview process.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, engagement communications, or advancement leadership, preferably in higher education or a research environment.
• Demonstrated success leading complex communications and stewardship initiatives that strengthen donor and constituent engagement.
• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex science and philanthropy into compelling narratives.
• Proven management experience leading donor relations and communications.
• Commitment to advancing the mission and values of Scripps Research through strategic philanthropy and constituent engagement.
• While subject to change based on business needs, this position can function remotely or onsite from our La Jolla campus.

COMPENSATION:

The expected hiring range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000/annually, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan - Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture, and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.