Associate Director, Volunteer & Donor Engagement

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, VOLUNTEER & DONOR ENGAGEMENT

Requisition Number: ASSOC
005076

• Posted :
  July 23, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Showing 1 location

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 Cali ‑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 SUMMARY:

Scripps Research, a world‑renowned nonprofit biomedical research institute, is seeking a strategic and relationship‑driven Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director to join our Philanthropy team. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this position plays a central role in cultivating and sustaining engagement among the institution’s most important volunteer constituencies and donor communities.

The Volunteer & Donor Engagement Associate Director will serve as the primary staff liaison for the Global Ambassadors Council (GAC), the Alumni Board, and the Advancement Committee, as well as individual key volunteers and philanthropic partners. This role combines relationship management, event leadership, and project management, working cross‑functionally to advance Office of Development priorities, maintaining the team’s master engagement calendar, and leading the execution of signature donor and volunteer events throughout the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Serve as the primary staff liaison for the GAC, Alumni Board, and Advancement Committee, as well as individual key volunteers and philanthropic partners.
• Develop annual engagement calendars, individual stewardship plans, and multi‑year strategies for volunteer boards, key volunteers, and philanthropic partners
• Manage new member onboarding, prepare meeting agendas, background materials, talking points and track action items to ensure timely follow‑through.
• Coordinate pre‑and post‑meeting communications to sustain momentum and volunteer investment between formal gatherings.

Event Leadership & Donor Engagement

• Lead the planning, and execution of signature cultivation and stewardship events, including chair celebrations, donor appreciation events, fellowship recognitions, Front Row Dinners, faculty engagement opportunities, and salon dinners.
• Serve as the Office of Development’s primary liaison to the events team, driving creative vision, project timelines, messaging and invitation strategy, and logistics from inception through follow‑up.
• Personally engage and reach out to key donors, prospects, and volunteers to secure attendance at priority events, with the goal of celebrating relationships and advancing philanthropic conversations.
• Prepare briefings and talking points for senior leaders prior to key interactions, and support the Director with special projects, presentations, and reports as needed.
• Review event collaterals to ensure accuracy and message alignment.
• Track and manage ROI for all events using data to refine new event and engagement strategies.

Project Management & Office Coordination

• Serve as a central project management resource for volunteer management and donor engagement activities, collaborating with colleagues to move initiatives forward and ensure timely execution across the Office of Development.
• Develop and…