Senior Director, Advancement

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Senior Director for Advancement (SDA) is the second in command, responsible for developing and executing a strategy for leadership, annual, planned, and corporate giving, along with related communications, events, research, and stewardship needs. The SDA will support a team of fundraisers and lead the implementation of a structured moves management process for Salk’s portfolio-based fundraising work. The SDA will also carry an individual portfolio.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation. 

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Advancement:

• Closely manage and support a team of six (6) philanthropy professionals working to secure support for the Salk Institute on a national and international basis in order to identify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward prospects.
• In consultation with the Vice President for Advancement, the SDA oversees a comprehensive strategy for leadership giving, annual giving, planned giving, and corporate giving.
• Align all communication and solicitations around Salk priorities
• Coordinate fundraisers working with trustees, faculty, senior administration, and other Advancement colleagues to maximize knowledge and efficient partnership.
• Works closely with the Communications, Stewardship, and Salk professionals.
• Conducts all fundraising activities in accordance with established policies.

Leadership Giving

• Works closely with Stewardship & Research on managing a prospect pool and implementing a strategy around their transition into and out of portfolios
• Supervise and support all frontline fundraisers, ensuring that annual goals are monitored and relevant resources are available
• Prioritize in-person meetings and engagements that go beyond emails
• Lead prospect approaches and prospect journey mapping exercises for all managed prospects; provide creative ideas and approaches for new prospects and stale donors.
• In conjunction with the Senior Director, Stewardship, enhance annual reporting and recognition for all donors.
• In conjunction with the Senior Director, Communications, enhance the prospect and donor experience through sharing of information and promotion of the individual in Salk messaging.

Annual Giving

• In conjunction with the Senior Director, Stewardship, launch and build the Discovery Society and expand the Partners in Research program.
• Support engagement programming at all membership levels
• Support regular, insider communications at all membership levels

Planned Giving

• Expand the Partners in Research program to meet annual goals. Collect documentation of those who have indicated they are considering a bequest
• Deliver training on asset-based giving, including bequests, IRAs, insurance policies, annuities, and real estate.

Corporate Giving

• Launch a corporate giving program and support the Corporate Giving Officer in their efforts.

Portfolio Management:

• The Senior Director, Advancement will also lead by example and qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward gifts based on their own portfolio.     

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This job has supervisory responsibilities comprising a team of sev