Corporate Engagement Officer

About the California Academy of Sciences

About the Organization

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our collections include plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from around the world and throughout history. We are a diverse team of biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work together to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

Joining the Academy means becoming part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you work behind the scenes in research or engage the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

The Associate Director, Leadership Philanthropy plays a key leadership role on the Advancement team. This role oversees a portfolio of high-net-worth donors while supporting strategic initiatives, internal collaboration, and data infrastructure to enhance major giving efforts. In addition to leading complex solicitations and managing key donor relationships, this role will manage the Leadership Philanthropy Coordinator.

Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision, and values. The Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at the Academy’s major initiatives page.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. We welcome candidates who may not meet every qualification but have great potential to contribute.

This position is based in San Francisco, California.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Maintain a portfolio of corporate donors in the $10,000 to $250,000+ range
• Engage with donors and prospects through in-person meetings, events, phone meetings, and emails
• Prepare and submit persuasive proposals, accurate reports, and associated budgets to new prospects and Academy donors in the $10,000 to $250,000+ range
• Assist with strategy development in collaboration with Academy leadership, program staff, and Trustees as required
• Fulfill outstanding reports and stewardship activities in a timely manner, including site visits and endowment reports; work with program and/or project staff to collect information and data on programmatic outcomes
• Provide creative and relevant opportunities for donor recognition, appreciation events, and corporate volunteering
• Implement strategic benefit fulfillment for Corporate Members
• Compose letters and other communication materials to donors and prospects
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all interactions with prospects and donors using the Tessitura database
• Serve as a content expert on Academy projects, such as environmental issues, sustainability solutions, education, and related special projects
• Work closely with the Academy Events and Experiences team to cultivate clients as new donor prospects
• Provide occasional staff support for fundraising events, which may fall outside of normal business hours, including Academy Day, Big Bang gala, and Super Natural
• Other duties as assigned
• Follow all Academy safety regulations

Education and/or

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.)
• Three years or more of fundraising experience in a complex, non-profit setting
• Demonstrated track record of success in securing annual corporate and foundation grants in the $10,000 to 250,000+…