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Working with a team of seasoned fundraisers, the Leadership Gift Officer (LGO) will be responsible for a portfolio of approximately 150 rated and researched prospects and donors. Approximately 50-75 names will be initially assigned, with the expectation that future growth will come through LGO identification in coordination with Salk Stewardship & Research, as well as the networking efforts of the LGO. The LGO will independently move all prospects through a documented moves management process, focused on deepening the engagement and knowledge of the prospects around Salk science. The LGO will also participate in prospect identification through participation in internal and external events, widening the overall prospect pool. The LGO will work collaboratively with other members of Advancement to support compelling in-person programming, both on and off-campus, encourage attendance of their managed prospects, and deliver other creative methods of engagement.

Applicants are encouraged to read more about the Salk Discovery Society at https://www.salk.edu/discovery-society/    

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

• Grow and steward a portfolio of donor prospects to expand the donor pipeline.
• Record and track donor qualifications, cultivation steps, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues’ team to plan and support compelling in-person programming, both on and off campus.
• Work closely with the team members to ensure coordinated, high-quality donor cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on progress toward fundraising targets and related objectives.
• Build meaningful relationships with donors and prospects to strengthen retention and increase commitment.
• Communicate professionally and positively with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and community members.
• Utilize CRM systems and internal communication tools to manage donor and prospect information.
• Stay informed about current trends and best practices in fundraising and higher education philanthropy, and use this knowledge to continuously improve fundraising efforts.               
• Performs other related duties as assigned.           

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

What we Require

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in fundraising, project management, development operations, or related fields. Preference for some background in science-related efforts.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage complex projects, coordinate multiple stakeholders, and meet deadlines.
• Strong relationship-building skills with experience engaging donors, volunteers, clients, or external partners.
• Computer skills required: Development Software; Microsoft Office.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience securing philanthropic support for cancer research, preferably within or in close partnership with an institution that includes an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. 
• Strong familiarity with the cancer research environment and the broader funding landscape. 
• Experience supporting fundraising teams, donor portfolios, or philanthropic initiatives.
• Knowledge of annual giving, leadership giving, or major gift fundraising practices.
• Familiarity with moves-management principles and donor pipeline strategy.
• Ability to analyze donor data and translate insights into actionable engagement strategies.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000 annual. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.